Troy a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:14
But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
James now shows the true cause of sin, having dealt with the false cause-namely, God's providence.
The true cause of sin in every man's soul, IT IS HIS EVIL DESIRE!
*BUT EACH ONE IS TEMPTED.
James speaks universally, because no one is free except Christ.
*WHEN, BY HIS OWN EVIL DESIRE.
He says his own because although we all have a corrupt nature, every one has a particular inclination to this or that sin rooted in his nature. Own excludes all attacks from outside. There is no greater enemy than our own nature.
*HIS OWN EVIL DESIRE.
In order to show you what is meant by evil desire, one must make the following premise:
(1)The human soul is mainly made up of desire. It is like a sponge, always thirsty and seeking something with which to fill itself.
( 2)The bias of the soul inclines toward desire.
( 3) Since the fall, people concentrate on their desires more than on anything else; so they are so corrupt that they influence all the rest. These reason show why all sin is expressed by evil desire.
*Lust may be considered in two ways:
(1) As a power, it is disposed toward evil, in all the faculties. "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit. (Gal 5:17)
(2)As an act, the actual evil desire is nothing other than the first stirring of our human nature.
*HE IS DRAGGED AWAY AND ENTICED.
Some think that in these two words the apostle gives two reasons for sin-one internal, which is LUST, hinted at the first word,DRAGGED; the other external, a bait to entice the soul. As Plato said, "Pleasure is the bairt of sin." Piscator and our translators seem to favor this and translate the word thus:
WHEN, BY HIS OWN EVIL DESIRE, HE IS DRAGGED AWAY AND ENTICED, intimating that he is dragged away by his own evil desire and enticed by that object. However, the position of the words in the original shows that both refer to evil desire:"When HE is dragged away and enticed by HIS own evil DESIRE.
Notes On Verse 14
Note 1.the origin of evil is in man's own desire, the Adam and Eve in our hears. A man is never truly humble until th expresses indignation against himself. Do not sat it was God's fault. He grave a pure soul. Suggestion can do nothing with our evil desire. Nazianzen says, "The fire is in our wood, though it is the devil's flame."You cannot blame the world; there are allurements about, but it is your fault if you swallow that bait. Do not put all the blame on the sin of the times; good men are best in worst times, stars that shine brightest in the darkest nights. It is your venomous nature that turns everything to poison.
Note 2. Above everything else, a man should watch out for his desires. All sin is called evil desire. God requires the heart; "My Son, give me your heart," which is the center of desires. The first thing through which sin makes itself known is evil desire. Before there is any consultation in the soul, there is a general tendency or bias in the soul. So look out for your evil desires; the whole person is swayed by them.
Note 3. EVIL DESIRE ensnares the soul by force and flattery. You are either DRAGGED AWAY or ENTICED
First, DRAGGED AWAY.
One way of knowing if desires are wrong is if they give too much pleasure. When affections are impetuous, you have reason to be suspicious of them. Do not satisfy them. Greediness is an indication of uncleanness (Ephesians 4:19 ). When the heart burns or pants, it is not love but evil desire. When you cry out to God, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me...?( Romans 7:24) you discern this power over your souls.
This comes about:
1.When your desires are irrational, but you are overtaken by brutish rage. "They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man's wife"(Jeremiah 5:8 ). They had no more control over themselves than a well- fed horse. This they proved with unbridled license against all reason and restraints.
2. When your desires become uncontrollable. This is what the apostle calls "PASSIONATE LUST" ( 1 Thessalonians 4:5 ). This violence is clearly seen in sensual appetite, as well as in other sins. "[THEY] were inflamed with lust for one another" ( Romans 1:27 ).
3. When EVIL DESIRE troubles the soul so much that the person becomes ill. Thus Amnon. Was sick for Tamar (2 Samuel 13:2 ); that was. A sickness of lust and uncleanness. Ahab was sick with covetousness (1 King 21:4 ), and Haman for honor (Esther 5 ).
I hope this has been informant and helpful.
May our Lord bless you and keep you close.
Amen.
Troy (Yort)
