Is Sin A Test?

Are the Ten Commandments merely guiding thoughts or God's hard and fast rules? At one point or another in our lives, we all may have given in to every one of the seven sins labeled as envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath. Had you ever been an abomination to God for having haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devised wicked plans, feet that hastily run to evil, been a false, lying witness, or sown discord among brothers (family).

Have you fallen sway to lust's alluring tentacles, or been the perpetrator of a raging wrath? Perhaps your temper exploded at unreasonable times. Maybe you are just a little too prideful about the good works you did or intend to do. So, which one—or more of these deadly sins have you been tested against? Do you think you were tested by God—or the devil? More importantly, did you pass or fail?

We've all heard the expression, “Everyone tries their best to be a good person.” But is that true? As Christians, do we really try to do our best? Or do we succumb to sin's desires which take us down deeper, thorny paths we normally would avoid? Our human nature is a sinful nature and has been since the fall from paradise. None of us can be completely perfect all the time, though we do not like to admit it, even to ourselves. Now and again, we behave in ways that if our faults were exposed to others, they would shame us.

Be ashamed—for God knows all! He sees every fleeting flicker of fowl, sinful thoughts that flow across our minds. Yes, the mere thinking of sin is a damning wickedness, even if we seemingly have no control. Yes, exposure to sin is a test. But is it a test from God or the devil? Some say God will not test you with sin. But how about when Abraham was tested to sacrifice his son, was that an evil, sinful test? A bit later we will delve deeper into that particular question.

The Book of James provides valuable insights into the principle questions of this lesson, “Is Sin a Test?” James was not the apostle James who was the first of the apostles to die, 44AD, which was too early to have written this book. Two other biblical men named James had neither the statute or literacy to pen this book. This James was one of the several half-brothers of Jesus, and most likely the oldest, as he is listed first among Mary's other sons, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, in Matthew 13:55.

It should also be noted that the Book of James, along with 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude were written for a general audience, as opposed to a specific Church, and all of these books were questioned extensively before being included in today's Bible(s). The persecution of the early church goers caused many believers in Christ to leave Jerusalem, James wrote to the scattered tribes of Israel. James simplifies what the true practice of a Christ-like life is in the sight of God the Father. Practicing a clean, uncorrupted religious faith begins with keeping oneself as spotless and irreproachable as is manageable.

Take note that I said, keeping ourselves as spotless as manageable, for all humans are imperfect and often sinful. As often as possible, once we have ourselves under reasonable control, then we should dedicate a sizable portion of our efforts to reach out to help the poor in spirit, the physically needy, the people on the troubled side of life, and/or even the monetarily wealthy with their personal struggles of faith and Christianity.

Trials Should be Joy

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

James tells us to count it all joy when you fall into various temptations. Hopefully you will stay the true course. If not, that is not exactly a warm and comforting verse, is it? The phrase “various trials” here means assorted troubles of differing natures. He says to consider them as occasions for joy and gladness when you fall into various kinds of struggles or strife. This is not a case of “if you fall.” James said “when you fall into” various trials. He did not say, “if you fall.” Most certainly, James did not say, “God is testing you with evil!” or “God develops evil, troubling tests to prove your worth.”

Enduring Resoluteness

James 1:3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

It is our faith in God that is being tested by outward situations developed by the devil or our sinful nature. James indicates these trials increase our patience, and patience here means demonstrating our enduring resoluteness to resist and overcome. In other words, we stand steadfast in our faith toward God, even in the face of sinful adversities or life's troublesome trials.