· Translation: KJV

James 1:14But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

The setting

James explaining the internal mechanism of temptation to believers who thought evil desires came from external spiritual forces. Ancient world blamed demons for everything...

The emotion here: urgently warning like a doctor explaining disease

The original word

epithymia (ἐπιθυμία) — strong desire, craving that pulls you toward something forbidden

Why it matters

Ancient fishing used 'enticement' - bait that looked appealing but hid a hook

Read with care

What most readers miss in James 1:14

The fishing metaphor - we are both the fish AND the one baiting the hook

Common misconceptionPeople think 'lust' only means sexual desire, but James uses it for any strong craving - money, food, power, approval, revenge.

Bible Genome reading

James 1:14 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerJames
Eraearly_church
Primary emotionanxious
Literary typeteaching

Emotional genome

Comfort power30%
Quotability80%
Memorability80%
Crisis relevance80%
Standalone70%
Themes:temptationpersonal responsibilitydesire

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open James 1

James 1:14 comes from the book of James, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to James. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the teaching genre of biblical literature. Key themes include temptation, personal responsibility, desire. Notable phrases: drawn away by his own lust; enticed.

Your reflection

What does James 1:14 mean to you, today?

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