The Breadcrumbs to Death
Sin leads to death. But the breadcrumbs starter earlier than sin.
We are not tempted by God. Our temptation is due to our own desires. James gives us the breadcrumb trail for death as follows:
Desire > Temptation > Sin > Death
Our desire - bad desire - couples with temptation. This unholy union conceives sin. Sin in its initial state does not produce death. But as sin ages - habits form. Greater depth of sin is required to quench the desire until eventually the sin produces death.
Death comes as the inevitable ending of sin - graciously. If we were allowed to continue indefinitely in sin, sinking deeper and deeper into depravity, the weight of the sin would eventually crush us.
Jesus changes this path. Through Him and His resurrection power our desire can be changed. We formerly desired immoral, depraved things. Now we desire the things of God. Every good and perfect gift comes down from above (vs 16-18).