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.
Observe, it is enduring resoluteness and demonstrations of our resolve in our faith that accomplish the good works in our lives, not the tribulations. If we forsake our faith when things go badly, then the trials of our faith do not work anything good in us at all or provide Christian examples to others.
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Allow Christian patience and faith in a favorable outcome to complete their work in you, so that you may be complete, gain Christian strength and lack nothing. James is talking about the reward of staying true in our faith, despite the pressures and corrosive crossness of this world that tries to confuse us or turn us away from God the Father. According to this verse, “patience's perfect work(s)” produces the status of lacking nothing in life. Not that you get everything you want—but you'll receive everything you need.
Temptations come from our world. Jesus said, “in the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” The test of all things is whether we will remain in our faith and trust within the conditions and challenges that enter our lives every day. Will your heart cling to the safety and trust of the Lord?
James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
Psalm 11:5 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
These verses provide biblical evidence that God does not test people with temptation, but does test the righteous even though several religious sects and pastors may tend to teach an opposite philosophy. The concept that God brings bad, evil things into our lives to test or teach us something cannot be supported by anything I read from the scriptures. Hardships, yes for they can be a test of our faith, but God does not test us by leading us into sinful situations. Those are the devil's work.
Jesus warned His disciples, in the world you shall have tribulation, that is, pressure, affliction and distress. Those things are common to all who live in this world, saved or unsaved. And although these things do not come from the Lord, but are merely a part of living in this world. James considers these trials to have a potentially good effect on the life of the believer. What could that good purpose possibly be? Let’s consider first what is being tested or proven by these temptations.
Why Me Lord?
When unwanted things happen to us, we often plead, “Lord, why are you doing this?” Or why is this happening to me? Why do You let mishaps like this happen? Why, Lord, why? Did I do something to deserve this?
What are we doing by doing and saying those things? We are erroneously and acrimoniously trying to place the blame on God, even though God has had nothing to do with it. The Bible says that God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man. Which is not to say God can and has allowed the devil to do his due and spirits to speak evil, as in James 1:2. Where the Easy-to-Read Version relates, “ Then a spirit went and stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will fool him!’ The Lord asked, ‘How will you do it?’ The spirit answered, ‘I will go to Ahab’s prophets and cause them to tell lies.’ So the Lord said, ‘Yes, that will fool Ahab. Go out and do that.’ “So that is what has happened here. The Lord made your prophets lie to you. The Lord himself decided to bring this disaster to you.”
Therefore, we are not to think God is not to blame for these things. But He is the One Who will deliver us from every situation when we stand in faith and trust.
Now wait a minute, you might say? Didn't God absolutely test Abraham when He directed him to sacrifice Issac? And wouldn't that sacrifice be an evil thing, a sin? That's right, God did test Abraham, but not with a sin, for God was testing Abraham's faith. And yes, human sacrifice is a devil directed, atrocious act. But God would not have let Abraham, the man soon to be the father of all nations, kill his son. God knew what Abraham's decision would be. I believe this test was for the future benefit of Abraham and ourselves as we are inspired by such strong faith. Didn't James just indicate trials increase our patience, meaning our enduring resoluteness to walk in faith, and overcome all obstacles and all situations? In other words, shouldn't we all stand unwavering in our faith toward God, even in the face of adversities or troublesome trials?
Believers should stand steadfast in our faith in God and Jesus Christ. Trust and believe—He is on our side, and now or in the end, He will deliver us. After all, according to the scriptures, Jesus is our deliverer, our comforter, our refuge and our help in times of trouble. Christ nor God are not our tempters. That shame is a burden the devil bears. A devil we all should stand up against.
Psalm 112:7-8 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies.
These verses describe a man who fears the Lord and delights greatly in His commandments. That man will not be afraid of, or overly troubled by, evil tidings. This is because he has enough faith to trust the Lord in every one of life's situations. The faithfully assured live in pleasant realms of peace and trust. In the face of many difficult challenges, the faithful find strength and courage in the promises of God.
Looking closer at Psalm 112:7, it says that his heart is fixed, or that is, firm and stable, trusting in the LORD. This is the perfect work that faith, resolve, and endurance produce in the lives of those that exercise them. They produce a rigid, stable mindset that trusts in the safe arms of our Lord, even in presence of seemingly insurmountable problems. Is that not priceless, my friends?
Psalms says when his (our) heart is established (in faith); he or we shall not be afraid. The word “established” here means convicted. An enduring heart of trust feels safe in the midst of harmful circumstances. A faithful heart leans upon the Lord and refuses to be afraid. Proverbs 3:5-6 depicts a kindred thought.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And He shall direct thy paths.”
The words “He shall direct thy paths” means to lean to trust the ways He will show you or lead you towards. Follow him with an unfailing confidence. Your mind and body must accept, by faith, all the promises of God. If you do so, you will exude trust, and not focus on the fears of your current circumstance.
Will your faith in God's promises stand during times of difficulty, or will you let your faith fail? Faith never lets you down, you let your own faith flow downward. What do you focus more on? Do we spend all our time thinking about the problem, worrying and agonizing over it, or do you push that away from our thoughts and instead think upon the unfailing nature of our God to deliver us from all evil? You see, it’s strictly a matter of faithful focus. That’s the godly testing of our faith.
Wisdom Comes From God
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
It’s good to remember that the context of this chapter is about standing with resolute faith during dreadful or painful situations. It is during such troubling times that wisdom is more important than in “normal times” when things are going moderately carefree. If you lack wisdom or do not know what to do in a peculiar situation—pray to God. Hopefully, His response will be fast and plainspoken.
You Can Escape Sin's Temptations
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
When God's testing comes our way, He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. As the Deliverer, He will always allow us a way to escape or end our trials and take us directly to heaven.
The temptations that Christians endure are merely events common to all humans. They trouble people living in this world, saved or unsaved. It is not God who forces the tests of sin upon people. Though, it may be said, much of the churchgoing world seems to believe He does. God is the Savior, the Rescuer, not the tormentor or the adversary. What we need to faithfully understand is; God is the provider of the way out of, or around, or through a particular situation. He is not the director of dire circumstances. He shows us ways out of and beyond our troubles when and where there appears to be no solution within our own grasp.
Unwavering Faith
James 1:6 instructs us by saying, But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
How we ask to escape or rebuke sin's allure and control is important. We must ask with confident trust. Our faith in the Lord must be expressed from our assured beliefs in God's promises—not from positions of fear or despair of the state of affairs challenging us. Ask in faith that Jesus is going to receive and honor our prayers. God always gives strength and wisdom when we pray for His intervention. He is faithful.
But our expressed faith must be steady and unwavering, with no doubt, no foot-dragging, no lack of confidence. A good way to accomplish all that is to be at peace within yourself and be calm in the loathsome crux of the storm. Trust in our Lord and Savior!
James 1:7 For let not that man (wavering-man) think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jame is still speaking of the man whose faith wavers. The person who has not learned to trust God. The man who cannot be faithfully resolute in the face of a challenge. James also says, don’t let that (wavering) man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord. This is about anything we would not receive from God if we were wavering in the belief that 'it will be done!' Unwavering faith is essential for receiving the promises and the covenant the Lord has offered us.
James 1:8 continues in a similar vein. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
“Double minded” as written here means doubting, uncertain, or vacillating. Examples might be: He is inconstant. He cannot stay in the same frame of mind except for a very short time. His mind is of two parts, a faithful mind and an unbelieving mind. From both of which he oscillates back and forth. Unfortunately, this leads to a restless soul.
James 1:9-11 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
Possibly, James is referring that the brother of low degree (should) rejoice in the fact that he is exalted, but the rich, in that he will be made low. James is also referring to Isaiah chapter 40 where a passage alludes that the generations of people on the earth come and go like fields of grass. A generation comes, and it has great things going on during its time. But then a few decades pass, and that generation fades and another one takes its places. In essence, this states, the people are like fields of grass, but the Lord's Word is forever.
Blessed is the Person Who Endures
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Though many religions differ on “when we are approved or sealed by God,” as a Christian with Baptist inclinations, I believe we are saved from the very instant we accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior.
James relates; the man who endures temptation shall receive the crown of life. The word “crown” here means a mark of exalted rank, an ornament, a garland, a prize for something achieved. The word “crown” also carries the idea of the authority that goes with it. And though it may be a little unclear as to exactly what this means, there is obviously something of great value gained in the heart of the one who endures challenging times.
Although we all come from assorted and sometimes very different backgrounds, have contrasting personalities, and entertain various expectations from this life on earth. Just about every human on earth seeks an enjoyable life. “What is it that everyone wants out of life?” The answer is, “Happiness.” Whatever religion or philosophy we have chosen to be our own, we have done that because it has promised to make our lives happier in the here and hereafter. How is it with your life? Are you happy? Have you given a portion of your essence to Satan to feel even happier? If so, your soul is in jeopardy. As is your eternity. Hopefully, you or anyone you know has not rejected Christ.
Do you think everyone has the possibility of a blessed life? That there can be more to life than downcast, unemotional acceptance of all that will take place? Where are the humans headed that practice the hedonistic philosophy of “let us eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die?” I can understand why some people question the very thought of a God-blessed life. Have they seen friends come under the influence of drugs, and these starry-eyed, spaced-out, hopped-up, or laid back morons declaring how marvelously happy they are in their decadent lifestyle? Some may have even tried Christianity for a brief period and discovered their newfound Christian happiness did not last very long. It didn't work because they weren't.
God Does Not Tempt Us
God does not tempt us with evil or sin.
James 1:13-21 says, Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of light, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
In modern terminology, 'Do not err' means make no mistake about it. Jame is preparing to tell us something to set our vision straight, to give us clearer understanding.
We do not save ourselves. God offers us salvation by His own free will and the blood of Christ paying the toll for all sin. God only asks that we have faith in Christ. He does that because He loves everyone in the whole world. He did it because that was His desire to do so. Of his own desire he spoke all the universe and Adam into existence. But, because of our inherent human faults and God-given free will, we stumbled into sin. While we were yet sinners, while we were yet His enemies, He sent Christ to die for the ungodly. Why? Because every good and every perfect gift is from above.
God is always the same. He does not send good and perfect gifts one day, and then send us evil things the next. God is good! How often? Always! But many of us forget all that when something bad happens. I do. Don't you? We should not blame God for bad things, when He is actually the Deliverer, not the tormentor. How could anyone be deceived into believing God the Father, the One who is light, could ever direct darkness to come into our lives?
It is vitally important that humankind receives and accepts the Word of God planted in our hearts. It’s not only the very seed of our spiritual growth, it is the essence of our salvation in heaven and on the New Earth.
Why would James say to receive the implanted word with meekness? Because if you’re not meek and humble, if you arrogantly believe you already know it all, you won’t bother pursuing God's Word. Everybody needs to jump off any high-horse we're riding and humble ourselves. We need the Word of God, and we need it continuously. Remember, a full knowledge of God and His word is beyond our grasp in this world. The next life of our souls will be full of revelation and truth. Won't that be amazing?
A couple or three weeks back, we spoke of evangelism and even worked out objections and proper responses. James reinforces the crux of what we as Christians are commanded by Jesus to accomplish.
Blessed are the Doers of the Word
James 1:22-24 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
One who hears the word of God and fails to put it into practice should feel shame. I'm not saying that type of person will not be saved, though others might preach that message. We were commanded to “go forth and make disciples of all nations” Jesus said that to you! It was one of the last things He said, so He deemed it important. Wouldn't you think?
I cannot think of a more fitting finish for this essay than ending with James 1:25.
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
If James were writing his book today, surely he would be more inclusive of the responsibilities and importance of our dear Christian ladies. For the words of James and Jesus the Christ were directed towards all humans, be they male or female, adult or child, sinner or saint.
If you involve yourself in any sin test from Satan—you lose. Your consolation prize is a trip to hell for all eternity—unless you surrendered yourself, by faith, into the loving, comforting arms of Jesus.
Amen.
The End.
