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[Supporter]

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

James 1:13

But the Lords prayer says "Lead us not into temptation"

Doesn't the verse contradict the Lord's prayer? Please help me out and give me clarity.

Thank you.

[jimwalton]

In Matthew 6.13 ("Lead us not into temptation"), the request to God is: "Do not allow us to be led into temptation." In other words, protect us from us, help us cope with it, or show us the way out of it.

Here in James 1.12-13, people seem to be under the misunderstanding that it is God that is making life miserable for us. James is clarifying, No, it's not God who is tempting you to do evil. God doesn't do that.

There are times when God tests us to strengthen us and to prove that we stand in commitment to Him, but that's different than criticizing God for tempting us to sin.

Both texts, then, are saying similar things. God doesn't tempt us to do evil. Those temptations come from our own hearts, from the circumstances of life, and from the Deceiver, Satan. And it's good for us to pray that when those temptations come, God will protect us, help us cope with them, of show us the way out of them (1 Cor. 10.13).