Topical Bible: Temptation: God Cannot be the Subject of

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In the Christian understanding, the concept of temptation is intricately linked to the nature of God and His relationship with humanity. The Bible clearly delineates that God cannot be the subject of temptation, nor does He tempt anyone. This is a fundamental aspect of His holy and unchangeable nature.

The Epistle of James provides a definitive statement on this matter: "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone" (James 1:13). This passage underscores two critical truths: first, that God is impervious to temptation, and second, that He does not act as a tempter to His creation.

God's inability to be tempted is rooted in His perfect holiness and righteousness. Evil holds no allure for Him, as He is entirely separate from sin. The prophet Habakkuk affirms this by declaring, "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; You cannot tolerate wrongdoing" (Habakkuk 1:13). God's nature is such that He is wholly other, transcending the moral failings and weaknesses that characterize human existence.

Furthermore, the Bible consistently portrays God as a source of strength and deliverance in the face of temptation, rather than its instigator. The Apostle Paul writes, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Here, God is depicted as a protector and provider, ensuring that His people are not overwhelmed by the trials they face.

The narrative of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness further illustrates this principle. While Jesus, in His humanity, faced temptation, it was not God who tempted Him but Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). This account highlights the adversarial role of the devil as the tempter, contrasting sharply with God's role as the sustainer and redeemer.

In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). This petition acknowledges human vulnerability to temptation and seeks God's guidance and protection, reinforcing the understanding that God is not the source of temptation but the deliverer from it.

Theologically, the distinction between testing and tempting is significant. While God may allow tests or trials to refine and strengthen faith, as seen in the account of Job or Abraham's test with Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19), these are not temptations to sin. Instead, they serve a divine purpose in the believer's spiritual growth and maturity.

In summary, the biblical witness affirms that God, in His perfect holiness, cannot be tempted by evil and does not tempt anyone. Instead, He provides strength and a way of escape for those who face temptation, underscoring His role as a faithful and righteous protector of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 1:13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Temptation
... dangerous and terrible, is this"that we cannot see at ... Jews that He was the Son of
God, their divine ... And lastly, the third temptation looks at first sight so ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon vii temptation.htm

Where Sin Occurs God Cannot Wisely Prevent It.
... A sinner is about to fall before temptation, or in more correct ... God cannot wisely
prevent his doing so ... It is no proper limitation of God's power to say that He ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xiii where sin occurs god.htm

How God's Providence Includes Everything
... While a sinner cannot, of himself, rise from ... according to the Apostle Paul, God knows
his own ... persecution, heresy, tribulation, adversity or temptation, for he ...
/.../albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 16 how gods providence.htm

Continues the Same Subject and Speaks of Aridities in Prayer and ...
... Souls who by God's mercy are brought so far (which ... by the elder birds, who, though
they cannot fly far ... they must not expose themselves to temptation: they are ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter ii continues the same.htm

Further Explanation of the Same Subject; Explains this Prayer. The ...
... I cannot tell you until we come to the last mansion: God ... you whom God has brought
thus far! ... of sin; you are not strong enough yet to undergo temptation, as you ...
/.../the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iv further explanation of.htm

James i. 12-15
... I am tempted of God;" for as God cannot be tempted ... The source of temptation, he
represents as lying in those ... not resisted; because he who might subject them to ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james i 15-dec.htm

Forms of Prayer. --The Lord's Prayer; Its Occasion and Import. ...
... But, on the other hand, the prayer cannot be confined ... for Christ could not have
presupposed that God would do ... holiness as to lead men into temptation in this ...
/.../section 139 forms of prayer the.htm

Treats of the Same Subject and of the Way God is Sometimes Pleased ...
... imagination, look upon them as a temptation against the ... there may be others who cannot
understand them. ... considered the subject very carefully, God having often ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iii treats of the.htm

Letter vi. Temptation.
... This is no doubt the temptation of Satan. ... these wild imaginations in view, so that
you cannot proceed without distraction, turn and beseech God to give ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm

The Inward Laws
... in Abraham's experience, the birds of temptation and beasts ... word, 'Kept by the power
of God through faith ... I cannot leave the subject without touching specially ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xviii the inward laws.htm