James 1:13-21 Do not be fooled, God does not tempt anyone

When someone is tempted, he shouldn't say that God is tempting him. God can’t be tempted by evil, and God doesn’t tempt anyone. Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death. My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled. Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon. God decided to give us life through the word of truth to make us his most important creatures. Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily. An angry person doesn’t do what God approves of. So get rid of all immoral behavior and all the wicked things you do. Humbly accept the word that God has placed in you. This word can save you. Christians have two natures: the old man with its sinful nature and the new man or the inner man who has been born of the spirit and not of the flesh. Understand that temptation does not come from God but instead from the evil one who provokes the desires of the flesh because even Satan cannot touch the inner man because it comes from the Holy Spirit. So thwart not the work of the Spirit because he will help you overcome the desires of the flesh.