A Test by any other name? Context, context, context

Scripture Read: James 1:13–15  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Application: This is one of those passages that force you to face the fact that no scripture is for private interpretation – the reason is all through the Bible God clearly “tests” people yet here it states that He does not – some have tried to say that there is a difference in the word test and tempt – that sounds good and from English dictionary you might conclude that.

Webster’s: Test - a critical examination, observation, or evaluation; a basis for evaluation & Tempt  - to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain, to try presumptuously: Provoke ^[1]

However the original does not allow for that –

πειράζω peirázō;  experience, trial. To try, to prove in either a good or bad sense, tempt, test by soliciting to sin. ^[2]

In fact this word is used clearly for the right kind of testing in 2 Cor. 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? This is why you cannot grab one verse and make it stand alone – the KEY is always context – When you look at the whole counsel of God’s Word you will come away with a clear conviction that when God tests people it is always to allow for growth and success in life. The opposite is true when ever the test is from the enemy - Starting from the garden we see this truth – the tree was an opportunity from God for man to freely chose obedience and be confirmed holy expressing his love for God. The false seducer used it to get man to disobey and become a sinner – which man did all on his own – God offered, false seducer used, but man acted and is responsible. So context defines this word

Cannot be tempted (ἀπείραστος ἐστι). Lit., is incapable of being tempted. But some of the best expositors render - is unversed in evil things, as better according both with the usage of the word and with the context, since the question is not of God’s being tempted, but of God’s tempting. & πειράζω peirázō The process of proving one’s worth. When ascribed to God in his dealings with people, it means that God tests his peoples’ faith and moral character. When the word is used in a negative way, it means “to tempt”—that is, to entice, solicit, or provoke to sin..^[3]

Father help me to be honest with scripture and to take responsibility for the action I take during a test/temptation!

* Meditation Questions: When you fall into sin do you look for excuses? Is there ever a test in your life that is not a temptation? We should feel bad when we give into temptation – is it wrong to feel good when we pass the test? Is that stealing glory from God?

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^[1] Merriam-Webster, I. (1996). Merriam-Webster's collegiate thesaurus. Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster.

^[2] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[3] Vincent, M. R. (2002). Word studies in the New Testament (Jas 1:13). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.