James doesn’t sugarcoat it. In verses 13 through 15, he lays it out plainly: we are the source of evil. We are the problem. Ouch. That’s a tough pill to swallow. But the truth can be painful, and yet, it’s undeniable. Sin doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—it comes from within us. Our sinful desires creep in, polluting our fellowship with God. And if we are the source of evil, then who is the source of good?
James answers this question clearly: “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Not just some, not most—every good thing comes from God. That includes the blessings we enjoy, the kindness we experience, and even the strength to overcome. It all comes from God.
But then there’s the question: What about the good we see in people, even those who don’t follow Jesus? How do we make sense of that?
This is where the concept of the Imago Dei—the image of God—becomes crucial. Every single person, regardless of their beliefs, is made in God’s image. It’s what makes us human. It’s why we have the ability to think, create, and even recognize the difference between good and evil. These qualities aren’t random; they reflect God’s imprint on us. It doesn’t matter if someone believes in God or not; He is, regardless.
So, when someone who doesn’t follow Jesus does something good, it’s not because of their own nature, but because of God’s image in them. But for those of us who follow Jesus, there’s something even deeper happening beneath the surface. We don’t just reflect God’s image; because of the Holy Spirit within us, the good we do isn’t just a reflection of God—it’s empowered by God.
James’ point is simple: every good thing comes from God. The breath in our lungs, the heartbeat in our chest, the blessings, acts of kindness, personal growth—all of it. Everything truly good comes from God. But to fully grasp what James is saying, we need to see the bigger picture he’s painting throughout the chapter.
James has been talking about trials and temptations. Trials help us grow and strengthen our faith, while temptations come from our own distorted desires—not from God. But here’s the key: even when we face trials and temptations, God is still good. He is still working.
David Platt captures this beautifully in Exalting Jesus in James, when he writes, “In your trials or temptations, don’t believe the lies. Remember that God is good—so very good. And He wants that which is good for you. Trust Him in your trials, and turn to Him in your temptations.”
It’s a simple but powerful reminder:
- Trust in trials.
- Turn in temptation.
God’s gifts aren’t just the obvious blessings we experience. They also include the ways He shapes us through hardship, strengthens our faith, and calls us back when we start to drift. God knows exactly what we need to become more like Jesus. Even when we don’t see it, He is working. And because He is a good Father, we can trust that His gifts are always perfect.
Why? Because of His goodness. God’s goodness never changes. He cannot become more good, nor will He ever be less good. He is who He is. As God Himself declares, “I am who I am.”
And James doesn’t leave us wondering why God works in us this way. It’s because of His will—His desire to redeem and reshape our hearts. It’s all His work, not ours.
This brings to mind a powerful passage from Ezekiel 36:26-27:
“I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”
Did you catch that? I will. God is always working—shaping, refining, rescuing. Whether it’s through trials or the moments we wrestle with temptation, our God is at work. He is forming us through trials and rescuing us in temptations. We can trust His wisdom, knowing that His intentions are always good. His gifts are always perfect, and they are always for our good and His glory.
So, let’s pause and reflect:
Are we trusting Him in our trials?
Are we turning to Him in our temptations?
No matter what we face, one thing remains unchanged: God is always good.
From Talk Scripture: Good and Perfect | James 1:16-18
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-and-perfect-james-1-16-18/id1786264764?i=1000688480033
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ESV Study Bible. (2010). Crossway Books.
Platt, D. (2014). Exalting Jesus in James. B&H Publishing Group