What does it mean that sin brings forth death (James 1:15)?

Response

The book of James provides valuable insight into the origin of temptation and its progression into sin. It also includes a warning that, if unchecked, “sin . . . brings forth death” «Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. », (James 1:15, NKJV).

The passage commences with James’ teaching that God is not the instigator of temptation. God is not susceptible to evil temptations, and He does not entice anyone to commit evil acts «Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: », (James 1:13). It is not God’s desire for us to sin. James then clarifies the true source of temptation: “But each person is tempted when they are lured and enticed by their own evil desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).

Temptation arises when an internal desire is provoked to take action. While the desire itself may not be sinful, it can lead to sin if acted upon. (Alternatively, in the case of sins of the heart, allowing the desire itself to persist is sinful: See Matthew 5:27-28:) Temptation represents the initial phase in James’ explanation. The subsequent stage is when temptation leads to sin.

The final stage occurs when sin results in death. This occurs when sin is “fully grown,” suggesting that death may not be immediate «Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ».Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.” (James 1:15). However, this outcome is inevitable unless something interrupts the process (see Romans 6:16 and Colossians 2:13).

The “death” James mentions appears to be eternal separation from God in hell. There is a way in which death can also signify an immediate, relational separation from God (see Genesis 3:8-10). Additionally, death can refer to the end of physical life. Nevertheless, James’ allusion is to sin that reaches its full extent—its final destination is death (see Revelation 21:8).

Sin naturally leads to death as a consequence. Death inevitably follows sin just as night follows day. “For the wages of sin is death” (“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”), (Romans 6:23a). God is life; rebelling against Him will inevitably result in death. In our inherent state, we will face the repercussions of a sinful existence: “Death came to all people, because all sinned” (“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: “), (Romans 5:12).

Sin produces death and that is its sole outcome. In Paradise Lost, Book II, John Milton personifies sin as “The Snakie Sorceress that sat / Fast by Hell Gate, and kept the fatal Key.” Her offspring—she can only have one—is Death, “black . . . as Night, / Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as Hell.” Jesus inquired, “Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” (“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”), (Matthew 7:16).

Version/Matthew 7:16″>(Matthew 7:16), and that principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout Scripture. We cannot expect to sin and receive a blessing. If we allow sin to become full-grown, death will follow.

Sin brings forth death as part of God’s judgment. In “the day of God’s wrath, . . . his righteous judgment will be revealed” «But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; », (Romans 2:5). God keeps account, and His unchanging law is that “the soul who sins shall die” «Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. », (Ezekiel 18:4, ESV).

James’ purpose in detailing how sin brings forth death is to show that God is not the author of temptation or sin «Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: », (James 1:13). Rather, God is the source of life. The contrast is made in James 1:18: “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (NKJV). Sin brings forth death, but God brings forth life.

To the eternal praise of His glory, God has halted the process of temptation → sin → death. There is forgiveness available in Christ: “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God ra

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace demonstrated in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:3-8a).

“The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” «For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.», (Romans 6:23b). Temptation may still bring forth sin, but sin, if canceled by the blood of Christ, will no longer bring forth death.