Christians have long recognized the significance of good works in the book of James. While the apostle stresses the need to put God’s Word into practice, he includes a passage that explores the psychological depth that gives rise to unrighteousness and its ill effects. It lays out a sequence of stages of the development of evil.
“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death.” – James 1:14-15 (NASB)
Sin starts with lust. In the Bible, the Greek noun epithumia refers to strong desire or craving. In other words, lust makes us scour the world searching for what will satisfy our desires. Lust makes us look at or for something or someone we might consume. It’s self-centered, which tells us something must be wrong inside if we have these kinds of cravings.
But lust isn’t in total control of our hearts. It tempts us, but it doesn’t force us to grab what we want. James implies we have a measure of authority over our choices; in God’s eyes, we’re responsible for ourselves.
Lust isn’t a passive foe of our souls; it’s busy affecting the course of our lives. James tells us that it has the ability to conceive. That image suggests that selfish desire creates a consequence beyond itself. It’s self-centered, but not isolated. Something germinates within our hearts. It hides, but grows. And after a time (how long, we don’t know), it emerges. Lust births a child.
James calls this offspring “sin.” The Greek word (hamartia) means to miss the mark. It describes how an archer’s arrow fails to hit a target. In Paul’s understanding, “the glory of God” is the bull’s-eye (Romans 3:23). For John, “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). The inner desire has now produced something that has an aberrant life of its own. Sin, turning us away from God’s will and His ways, sets out on an independent path.
Sin doesn’t stay small. Although it starts out as vulnerable and non-threatening, it grows into adulthood. It becomes death.
In the Bible, death is much more than the cessation of animated physical existence. It’s separation from God, the Source of life. The Lord had warned Adam and Eve that on the day they disobeyed Him, they would die (Genesis 2:17). But after they’d succumbed to temptation, they lived a long time banished from the Garden of Eden. God wasn’t wrong; death was spreading. Sin separated humanity from God; that’s death, not life as the Lord intended for us. And it comes in waves–spiritual separation from God, relational separation from others, and physical separation of spirit from body.
Without using the word, James likens the outcome of sin to fruit. Death is rotten fruit.
For the most part, we don’t have to be told not to eat spoiled food. The ruined appearance, the awful smell, and the lousy taste convince us to keep away! We want something better; we’re looking for fruit that exists as it’s supposed to, the way God designed it.
So what would be the opposite of this degrading process James describes?
Within James’ letter, love is the antithesis of lust. These do function in similar ways; like lust, love also makes us look, but their purposes differ. When we walk in love, we keep our eyes open so we might bless others. We aim to give, not get.
And like lust, love is a strong desire, but it’s not selfish. Rather than filling its own belly, love seeks the fulfillment of others. This can include little things, like a cup of cold water (Matthew 10:42), or big things, like announcing the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:14-41).
Love also conceives and what grows within it remains hidden for a season. The work of love isn’t always visible, but after a while, it gives birth to a child, the opposite of death. That’s life!
The kind of life James strives for is spiritual and practical. He encourages us Christians to help each other and to care for each other. When we do, we please the Lord. Our faith in Christ proves vital, not vain.
Good fruit is life-giving. It nourishes the body, but more than that, its fragrance and taste also delight the soul. And so our discipleship in Christ should be a blessing. Living out our commitment to Jesus will enrich us personally, but it will also gladden those around us.
Fruit is the outcome of our lives. The world encourages us to chase after whatever we want, whenever we want, by any means necessary. That’s why there are so many problems in individuals and societies.
The way of life in Jesus Christ, drawing from the God of life, fills the heart and frees people to serve, share, and bless.
The choice is ours.
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