Practical Christianity (5): The Origin and Goal of Temptation (James 1:13-15) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. The External Tempter
II. The Internal Tinder
III. The Death Cycle
Herman Hanko on James 1:14: “When a believer succumbs to the enticement of temptation, whether in his thoughts or in fact, he does not lose his status as a believer, for there can be no falling away from and loss of faith. Even when he sins, he hates his sin. Paul described this anomaly in Romans 7:20: ‘Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.’ That unwillingness to sin (even if the believer commits the sin) is the work of grace that brings him to the cross seeking forgiveness and pardon, thus conquering sin through the cross of Jesus Christ” (Faith Made Perfect, p. 43).
Matthew Henry on James 1:14: “In other scriptures the devil is called the tempter, and other things may sometimes concur to tempt us; but neither the devil nor any other person or thing is to be blamed so as to excuse ourselves; for the true original of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. The combustible matter is in us, though the flame may be blown up by some outward causes.”