Where does the desire for sin come from if it does not come from God? Whose fault is it if we sin? Some people complain it is God's fault. He has made life too difficult. [They say], I sin because of my parents. I sin because of my spouse. I sin because of my job. I sin because of my circumstances. I recently heard of a husband who said,
Thomas SchreinerYou know, my relationship with God is not very good. I will tell you why. It is my wife's fault.Imagine that. The leader of his home saying his problem with God is his wife's fault; that is why he has the problem. But James says, sin and temptation are entirely our fault. We are lured (James 1:14) and enticed by our own desire. The wordsluredandenticedcome from the world of fishermen. That second word is used for bait—to entice fish. So why is sin so attractive to us? Well, we all know this. It is because of our desires, James tells us. Sin has its roots in our own desires. We cannot blame God for our sin. We are attracted to sin because it gives us pleasure.1
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.