October 01, 2025 | Be God's Family
Every Good and Perfect Gift
Scripture: James 1:12-18(NIV)
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
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 evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Devotional
Why do bad things happen to good people? That’s a question we all wrestle with. I must admit I have not found an answer that satisfies. The truth is bad things happen to everyone, regardless of their character. I firmly believe that God doesn’t cause bad things to happen. God doesn’t sit wherever God sits and randomly cause hardships and struggles for us. That isn’t part of the character of God as I perceive God. Causing bad things to arbitrarily happen seems inconsistent with God’s character. Things happen because we are human (humanity is not perfect) and we live in the world (our world is not perfect). James encourages us in verse 12 to respond to “bad things” with perseverance and to look toward the promises of God.
In 1999, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and after successful treatment, I thought I was cured. But life had other ideas. The cancer returned in 2007, and the treatment was much more difficult. I questioned God. Why me? Why at the age of 40 with 3 children? Why when I had been perfectly healthy? There had to be a reason. I had to blame something. But I DID NOT blame God. Does God allow things to happen to us? Certainly – because we and others have free will and we live in an imperfect world. But I don’t think God deliberately causes those things to happen. God did not give me cancer as a test.
I think James is talking about a different kind of hardship in verses 14 and 15 – hardships that we bring on ourselves. What causes us to be “dragged away”? We could call it Satan, our own fallen nature or temptation by others. We could name dozens of sources. But we should not blame God. God is not the reason for our bad behavior, poor choices or succumbing to Satan’s persuasion. King David was not tempted by God to lust after Bathsheba. It was David’s flawed character and his lack of self-control. Eve was not enticed to eat from the tree by God but by Satan and her lack of willpower to resist. Just as God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to us, in my opinion, God doesn’t tempt us to sin. God doesn’t want to see us fail. God isn’t “trying to trip (us) up” as The Message translation says. God doesn’t trap us into sinful behavior, but only wants the best for us.
Those of us of a certain age can remember Flip Wilson and the tag line from his character, Geraldine – “The Devil Made Me Do It!” Well maybe, but Christians should accept responsibility for their actions. God is not the cause of our misfortunes, but the source of “every good and perfect gift.”
Poem
Temptation, I Hate You!
Proverbs 5
For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.
Proverbs 5:21-23
Temptation, I hate you!
Keep away from my door!
Quit knocking! Be quiet!
I want to ignore
Your luring, false promises
Pleasure and gain
Temptation, I hate you!
You are such a pain!
I’ll rise up and flee you
Though naked I be
‘Tis better to run fast
Then I will be free
From you slick invitations
Your call to the dark
I know the expense of a
Dalliance, a lark
So, Spirit, un-blind me
Allow me to see
Then dress me for battle
When Sin’s come for me
