But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

JAMES 1:14KJV
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James 1:14 (KJV)

What does James 1:14 mean?

James 1:14 teaches that temptation comes from a person’s own desires, not from outside forces or from God. Each person is led away and lured by what is already inside them—their own longing or craving for something.

James, the brother of Jesus, is writing to early Christians scattered outside Israel. He wants them to understand that when they face temptation, the source is not God or fate, but their own inner desires. This verse shifts the focus from blaming others or circumstances to recognizing the role of personal responsibility in facing temptation.

The Greek behind James 1:14

  • "Tempted" (πειράζεται, peirazetai): This word often means to be tested or tried, but here it clearly points to being enticed to do wrong. The Greek highlights that temptation is an active process happening to each person.
  • "Drawn away" (ἐξελκόμενος, exelkomenos): This word is often used for being lured out, like bait drawing a fish. It suggests that temptation works by pulling someone away from where they should be.
  • "Enticed" (δελεαζόμενος, deleazomenos): This word is used for catching something with bait. It paints a picture of being trapped by something attractive but dangerous.
  • "Lust" (ἐπιθυμία, epithymia): This word means a strong desire or craving, not just for sexual things but for anything a person deeply wants. The verse points out that these desires are personal and unique to each person.

Why James 1:14 matters

  • James 1:14 corrects the idea that God or outside forces are to blame for temptation, emphasizing that it starts within each person’s own heart.
  • This verse connects closely to the wider passage, where James is teaching about trials and spiritual growth, making it clear that temptation is different from testing and comes from within.
  • By focusing on personal responsibility, James 1:14 encourages honest self-examination rather than shifting blame, which is a key theme in the letter as a whole.

Where else these words appear

“enticed” Greek G1185 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
  • 2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

“tempted” Greek G3985 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
  • Luke 11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

“lust” Greek G1939 · used in 37 verses

  • Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
  • Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
  • 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

“man” Greek G1538 · used in 78 verses

  • Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
  • Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
  • 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.