EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT COMES FROM GOD

Passage: James 1:13-18

Key verse: 17

NIV

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own(A) evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;(B) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.(C)

16 Don’t be deceived,(D) my dear brothers and sisters.(E) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(F) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(G) who does not change(H) like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth(I) through the word of truth,(J) that we might be a kind of firstfruits(K) of all he created.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire (A)when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and (B)sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 (C)Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from (D)the Father of lights, (E)with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a] 18 (F)Of his own will he (G)brought us forth by the word of truth, (H)that we should be a kind of (I)firstfruits of his creatures.

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Footnotes
  1. James 1:17 Some manuscripts variation due to a shadow of turning
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. God does not tempt anyone (13-15)

We cannot blame God for our sinful lives. He wants us to be his holy children, so he sent his Son to die on the cross for our sins. We are tempted by our own evil desires. When sinful desire arose in Cain's heart, God counseled him to master it (Ge 4:7). Cain ignored God's word and yielded to his desire. Desire conceives and give birth to sin, and sin grows until it gives birth to death. We must not be deceived; we must hold God's word in our hearts and master evil desires.

2. The Father of lights (16-18)

God is righteous and loving; his character and his purposes do not change like shifting shadows. He is the one who gives every good and perfect gift. He gave us the most precious gift of new birth into a living hope through his word of truth. Christ and his people are firstfruits of his new creation; someday he will finish restoring all creation.

Prayer: Father of lights, put your word of truth in my heart so that I may not sin against you.

One Word: All the gifts God gives are good