James Chapter 1 — Commentary on Verse 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 is 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,byhisownevildesire. He says hisown 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, I must make the following premises: (1) The human soul is mainly made up of desires. It is like a sponge, always thirsty and seeking something with which to fill itself. (2) This 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 reasons show why all sin is expressed by evil desire.

    Lust may be considered in two ways:

    (1)      As a power, it is disposed towards evil, in all the faculties. “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit” (Galatians 5:17).

    (2)      As an act, the actual evil desire is nothing other than the first stirring of our human nature.

    Heisdraggedawayandenticed. Some think that in these two words the apostle gives two reasons for sin—one internal, which is lust, hinted at in the first word, dragged; the other external, a bait to entice the soul. As Plato said, “Pleasure is the bait of sin.” Piscator and our translators seem to favor this and translate the words thus: when,byhisownevildesire,heisdraggedaway andenticed, intimating that he is dragged away by his own evil desire and enticed by the 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

    Note1. The origin of evil is in man’s own evil desires, the Adam and Eve in our own hearts. A man is never truly humble until he expresses indignation against himself. Do not say it was God’s fault. He gave a pure soul. Suggestion can do nothing without evildesire. 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 the 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.

    Note2. 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 evildesire. 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.

    Note3. Evildesire ensnares the soul by force and flattery. You are either draggedaway 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 good 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 evildesire. 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 evildesire 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 Kings 21:4), and Haman for honor (Esther 5).

    The power of these evil desires tells us:

    (1)      Why wicked men are so set on sin and give themselves over to it and harm themselves. They “draw sin … as with cart ropes” (Isaiah 5:18). As beasts that are under the yoke put out all their strength to draw the load that is behind them, so these draw on wickedness to their disadvantage; they commit it even if it is difficult and inconvenient. So Jeremiah 9:5 says that they “weary themselves with sinning.” Why is this? There is a power in sin that they cannot withstand.

    (2)      Why the children of God cannot do as they want in order to resolutely withstand temptation or perform duties acceptably. Evildesire may overpower them. Note that James said, Eachoneis tempted, which includes the godly. A wicked man does nothing but sin—his works are merely evil; but a godly man’s deeds are not wholly good: “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). Although they do not plan to indulge in sin, they may become discouraged in the way of grace. “You do not do what you want” (Galatians 5:17). Resolutions are broken by this potent opposition.

    Second, note that the next ploy of lust is flattery—enticed. That is one of the stumbling-blocks to conversion—evildesire promises delight and pleasure. Job 20:12 says, “though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue.” They are enticed by mischievous pleasure. So then:

    (1)      Learn to be suspicious about things that give you too much pleasure. Pleasures are only enticements, baits that have hooks under them.

    (2)      There is need for great care. Pleasure is one of the baits of evil desires. The truth is, all sins are rooted in a love of pleasure. Therefore, be watchful.