James 1:1-15
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
“That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation - since they will pass away like a wild flower.
“For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
“Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Up to this point James has been discussing the trials and testing of Christian brothers and sisters. Now he turns to temptation.
We often hear that God does not tempt us but He does test us and put us through trials.
So, what is the difference between testing and temptation?
If we overcome a trial by the power of God it strengthens our relationship with Him.
If we overcome a temptation by dependence on the Lord it also strengthens our relationship with God.
If we fail a trial by depending on our own strength or wisdom isn’t it sin? Doesn’t it damage our relationship with the Lord?
If we fall to temptation by taking our eyes off from Jesus isn’t it sin? Doesn’t that also damage our relationship with the Lord?
So, from that point of view trials and testing seem very much like temptation. But, they are actually very different.
It is generally believed that trials and testing can come from the Lord and temptations come from the realm of the devil.
What do I mean by “from the realm of the devil”?
First we need to know what is the Kingdom of God on earth composed of? Souls who have been saved by the grace of God and cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross of Calvary.
What does the realm of the devil consist of? All those who are not in the Kingdom of God. Those who have not responded to the grace of God, have not repented of their sin. Those whose are still in the grip of the old sinful nature.
The realm of the Kingdom of God and the realm of the devil are made up on one thing. People! The saved and the unsaved.
Things do not fall in either realm …
A stone - to build the foundation of a home or as a murder weapon
Money - gambling or charity
Sex - outside of marriage or within Godly marriage
Can you think of any non-person, naturally occurring object that is inherently holy or sinful?
OK. Let’s read the Scripture again …
James 1:13-14
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
OK. Now this is very important!
When we are saved we become a new creation, our spirit is renewed, we are crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me! Right???
2 Corinthian 5:17 NKJV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
God has put a brand new spirit within this fallen earthly body!
God lives within us and is transforming us by the renewing of our minds so that we can test and approve with God’s will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Battle between the spirit and the flesh
The Spirit within us says, “Man does not live by ice cream alone.”
The tongue in our mouth says, “I sure would love to try to live by ice cream alone.”
If we did not have taste buds it would be a simple matter but we do have taste buds and “each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
The Spirit within us says, “You don’t need to work seventy hours a week. You don’t need to have a million dollars in the bank.”
The lust for money says, “I sure would love to have a million dollars and feel confident of my financial future.”
If we trusted in God if we would seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness it would be a simple matter but we see those who are rich and “each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
The Spirit within us says, “Don’t look at pornography. It will destroy your family and your soul.”
The lust of the flesh says, “It’s not really porn. It’s just the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.”
If we were blind it would be a simple matter but we do have eyes and provocatively dressed women and their photos are everywhere and “each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
Let’s look at this of example from the Bible
Acts Chapter 5
- the Holy Spirit is healing many through the apostles
- the apostles are called before the Sanhedrin
- they tell the Sanhedrin - God sent the promised Messiah - you killed Him
- the Sanhedrin (the same people who killed Jesus) want to put them to
death
- the apostles are starting down “the barrel of the gun”
- the apostles are flogged
- they leave the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy
of suffering for the Name of Christ
- they didn’t wait until they were outside before they started rejoicing
James 1:2
“Count it all joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”
Where did this trial come from in Acts Chapter 5?
From the world - those who had rejected the Messiah
God allowed it to happen
Why was this a trial and not a temptation?
The purpose was to make the truth and glory of God known
When would it have become a temptation?
If the apostles had opted for their lives instead of God
If the apostles had opted for their backs (flogging) instead of God
The trial was standing firm for Christ - the temptation was “save my own life”
God doesn’t call us to the easy way of life!
There may be pain ahead! There may be suffering ahead! There may be death ahead.
Should we try to escape the pain, suffering and even death if God has called us to it??
Once again, what should our attitude be?
Where do You want me right now for You and Your kingdom here on earth?
Escape is the way of the world.
Endurance, perseverance for Christ is the way of Christ.
Finally comes the warning. Aren’t you grateful for Jesus’ faithful warnings?
James 1:15
“Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
When trials come they are intended to bring maturity, completeness, endurance and eternal life with the One WITH whom we have suffered!
When trials come and temptation to escape the trial turns the temptation into desire it gives birth to sin. And what does the Scripture say is the final stage of giving into sin? Death - the wages of sin is death.
We think of trials and testing as being bad things … but … they bring life!
What if we thought of trials and testing as good and perfect gifts that come down from the Father of the heavenly lights? That's a strange idea, isn't it? Let's take a look at that next Sunday but in the meantime take a look at it yourself and let the Word of God speak to your heart? OK? PTL!!
