A trial is a situation that has the potential to discourage our faith. A temptation is something that encourages us to disobey God. Sometimes the two are intertwined but most often one takes the lead. An example of a trial is finding out that in the middle of doing something significant for God, you have cancer and might not be able to complete the work. A temptation is having a sudden unexplainable desire to boast about all you alone have done to make this work become a reality.

At the start of James chapter one, he explained how to deal with trials. Beginning in verse 13, he shifts to address temptation. We might make the mistake of saying, “God caused me to boast by placing this disease in my life!” In other words, “God tempted me! It’s His fault!” James corrects that idea. God cannot be tempted, and He does not tempt His children (v. 13). It is us who are tempted by our own evil desires.

James paints a disgraceful picture of lust (evil desire). Lust baits a trap. When we take the bait, lust drags us away and entices us. Lust bears a child named sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death. Death is the ultimate result of our depraved nature.

By contrast, God provides good and perfect gifts. These gifts come from the Father of heavenly lights. The Father gives us “every tree that has fruit with seed in it,” “all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground,” and “every green plant for food” (Gen. 1:29–30). All good gifts. A perfect gift that He has given us is spiritual birth, which came through the word of truth (v. 18). In Christ we are a type of first fruits. We are an offering to God.

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