In our text this Sunday, James adds another piece of evidence that God is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for us being tempted, much less our sin. There is clear proof from the nature of regeneration itself that the new life that the Lord gives to those who believe in Jesus Christ is a godly, holy, Christlike life. It is literally the life of God in the soul of man. By the new birth, a believer is re-created, given a completely new nature that has no part in sin or evil. Our own lust brings death (vs. 15); but the gift of God in Christ brings life. Because fallen man’s problem is internal, the solution to his problem must be internal. There is no external ritual, ceremony, catechism, or secret potion that can change our basic evil nature. We cannot become righteous by trying to act righteously or talk righteously. We need an entirely new heart, a new nature, and an awakened spirit. We need to be re-created, changed from our old nature of sin and death into a new creature of holiness and life.