Whose Fault When Tempted?
VBC Albuquerque · Oct 26, 2025
This sermon explains that God never tempts people to sin; rather, temptation comes from our own desires. When desire is nurtured, it gives birth to sin, and sin when mature produces death. However, God is faithful and always provides a way of escape from temptation for those who believe in Him.
The sermon is based on James 1:12-18 to present the important distinction between trials from God and temptation to sin. Trials are instruments God uses to refine the soul and build faith, producing perseverance and spiritual maturity. In contrast, temptation comes from the devil, the world, and the flesh, with the goal of drawing people into sin to destroy their faith and relationship with God.
The sermon strongly emphasizes that God cannot be tempted by evil and does not tempt anyone. The fault when tempted is not God's fault but belongs to the person themselves, because each person is tempted by their own desire. This process is described as a logical sequence: desire attracts and lures, then gives birth to sin, and finally sin produces death. Examples from Genesis 3 of Adam and Eve show that even the first humans did not want to take responsibility for their sin but blamed others or God instead.
The sermon also uses examples from the history of the Israelites to illustrate how people often complain, blame God, and their leaders when facing difficulties. The Israelites forgot the miracles God performed for them and focused only on current hardships, thus wanting to return to slavery in Egypt. This demonstrates that people often blame God when they lack trust and are driven by their own desires.
The conclusion of the sermon reminds that God is faithful and never lets people be tempted beyond their strength. In every situation of temptation, God always provides a way of escape so that those who believe in Him can endure. Those who are blessed are those who endure the test, for they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.