“Thus far in his treatment of temptation, James has dealt with it from the viewpoint of outward trial. (James 1:2-12) Here, a significant change occurs. No longer does he use the noun form for temptation; thenceforth, a verbal form is used...an example of which may be seen in Satan’s solicitation to evil on the occasion of our Lord’s temptation in the mount. (Mt. 4:1ff). The shift is a natural one, and to be expected. From the contemplation of those outward trials which inevitably beset men in life, it is an easy transition to the inner conflicts which are no less serious obstacles to faithfulness and piety on the part of the disciples of the Lord” (The Epistle Of James by Guy N. Woods, p. 56).

The word translated tempt (peirazo) means “...to try...to try whether a thing can be done; to attempt, endeavor...to try, make trial of, test...in a good sense Mt. xxii.35;...John vi:6; [2 Cor. xiii.5] Rev. ii:2....in a bad sense...Mt. xvi:1; Mt. xix.3....to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character by enticement to sin; hence acc. to the context...to solicit to sin, to tempt: James i.13 sq.; Gal. vi.1; Rev. ii.10; of the temptation of the devil, Mt iv.1,3...” (Thayer, p.498).

In James 1:2-12 James wrote about tests which come on man from without, in James 1:13-16 he wrote about tests which come from within. Which reminds us of Christ’s words in Mk. 7:20-23: “For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Keep in mind that James 1:13-16 involves temptation to sin, that is the context. Let us read the text again. “Let no man say when he is tempted (to sin, gm), I am tempted (to sin, gm) of (from, gm) God (God is not the source of solicitations to sin, gm): for God cannot be tempted (is untemptable, gm) with evil (God is untemptable in regard to sin. Sin has no appeal to God, gm), neither tempteth (to sin, gm) he any man: But every man is tempted (to sin, gm), when he is drawn away (away from the strait and narrow path of truth, gm) of (upo, by, agency, gm) his own lust (these lusts draw away, gm) and enticed (man is drawn away and enticed by lusts which come from within himself, gm). Then when lust (that which draws away and entices, gm) hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.”