James 1:2-4 (King James Version) 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4 (Amplified Bible)
James 1:2-4 (Amplified Bible)
2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring but endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
Right off the bat, we can see that this scripture tells us a few basic things:
Right off the bat, we can see that this scripture tells us a few basic things:
- Temptations will come...but, regardless, be joyful!
- Why should we be joyful? … Because as our faith is being exercised (tried, tested, or proven) by the temptations and additionally, we should be joyful because as we are exercised, we develop patience through the experience.
- The development of patience is a process, and this process is one which we shhould not attempt to cut short. To do so, is to remain incomplete, imperfect, and to continue to have insufficient resources &/or skills available for spiritual deployment.
Now just so we are on the same page:
Temptation, according to yourdictionary.com, is something that entices. Synonyms include: lure, attraction, fascination, appeal, inducement, bait, fancy, hankering, provocation, or yen.
Patience, according to the same source, is the willingness to endure or wait without complaint
Temptation seems to be the order of the day. Every ad (whether on TV, in print, or on the internet) entices us to gratify ourselves. These ads either implicitly or explicitly encourage us to pamper ourselves… “After all (imply the ads), we deserve it!”… Forget the fact that we may not be able to currently afford that advertised delight (let alone have the faith or the spiritual maturity to handle it); forget the hardship we might bring on ourselves (or our loved ones) by succumbing to this enticement; forget that the momentary gratification may well delay &/or derail some greater, future benefit…After all, “you deserve it all – right now!” …or so the carnally minded, Madison Avenue ad-men would have us believe. Is it me? ... Or do you too hear remnants of the snake saying to Eve, “Thou shalt not surely die…” [Genesis 3:4]
Unfortunately, patience (unlike temptation) is not in great supply. In fact, too many of us have become members of what my mom calls the “Microwave Society”. These are folks who want immediate gratification; often a delusional population, which thinks constant satisfaction, is an inalienable right. Even the world has recognized this behavioral trend as can be attested to by the rise articles and commentary on “Generation Y” and the phenomenon of “Helicopter Parenting”. We’ve raised a generation of seemingly pampered, over-indulged young folks who don’t think they should wait for anything, nor do they generally see the reason to ever do so. But for the children of God (regardless of age), this is not how it should be; our primary motivation should not be self gratification. We should not be stressed or distressed by temptations. Nor should we be surprised when temptations arise, for the Word tells us that there will be tribulation (and with it temptation) as long as we are in the world. [John 16:33] The Bible does not equivocate on the subject of temptations; rather, we should not only expect to encounter temptations, for even common sense dictates that if Jesus had to endure being tempted [Luke 4:12-14], so should we. It is unrealistic to expect to be any different than Jesus [John 15:18]; remember, that the servant is not greater than the master. [John 13:16] Believe it or not, a temptation free life is not what God has planned for us. Let’s be clear, please, do not misunderstand me: God does not want us to suffer needlessly. He is not evil or sadistic; neither is He nonchalant or without compassion [Lamentations 3:22]; rather, He is a loving Father, who only wants our very best. [Galatians 4:6] However, all too often, our concept of what is best does not align with His. He can be compared to a medical professional [Mark 2:17], who recognizes that there is pain and discomfort in some treatments, but there is also a long-termed, often life saving or enhancing benefit to follow.
Even in nature there is a use for stress. Consider this scenario: when physical muscles are used, stress is placed on them, which in turn leads to the metabolizing of fat, and building those muscles. Temptations place stress on us which can be: financial, sexual, mental, physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual. It gives us the opportunity to choose something we desire. Temptation offers us an opportunity to prove to ourselves and the world what we will stand or fall for. The trick however, is not to choose things of limited satisfaction over things which have greater or lasting benefits. In the above scenario, the temptation is to not exercise; to eat that second piece of cake; to have kids run errands we could and should easily do for ourselves, as well as to forgo the long-termed benefits of greater, or sustained physical fitness. Ultimately (on a spiritual level), those things that line-up with the Word of God, are the things to be desired; they are the things which should allure, fascinate, and attract us.
This same natural principle has a spiritual corollary: our faith, our patience; our self control, our temperance and/or endurance, as well as our ability to walk in the Love of God are all spiritual muscles. Muscles which must be stressed (exercised, tested, or proven) in order to be built up and to demonstrate (if only to our self) where the weakness (if any exist) lie. For example when you encounter or interact with that treacherous, worldly, ungodly co-worker(s), one obvious temptation is to snap off on them and/or to respond to them in kind. However, the proof of our salvation, the evidence of our spiritual maturity, is if we respond to them in love; continuing to do our jobs to the best of our abilities (without an attitude, rancor, wrath, or malice); to faithfully deal with that person(s) without a change in our demeanor toward them and faithfully casting the care of that person and/or situation at the feet of Jesus for His resolution and to patiently await (without complaint) deliverance in His time. [1 Corinthians 13:1-8]
Too often though, we miss it. We do respond in kind. We work, but not as unto the Lord, but grudgingly. [Colossians 3:23-25] We curse rather than bless those who have despitefully used us and don’t even think about praying for them unless it is vengefully. [Luke 6:28] We whine and complain; playing the martyr to any and everyone who will listen, including God; but we get no relief because our methods and motives are wrong. [James 4:1-3] It never even occurs to us to be joyful; to see the situation as an opportunity for us to grow and for God to move, and for the Lord to be exalted in the earth and through our personal walk. We don’t see that the temptation is a.) Either the Devil looking for a chink in our armor, or b.) a hurting, desperate person, who is lashing/reaching out in pain or frustration or who is just interacting with the world around them the only way they know how. Sad to say not everyone knows better, so that they can do better. Anyway, LORD, help us!
Father, in the Name of Jesus, help us! We repent for our failings and this moment, Oh Lord we turn from our ways to that of your Word.[ Ezekiel 33:9] Help us, Lord, to exercise these spiritual muscles; to continually, consistently move beyond every temptation to triumph in Jesus Name! Today Oh Lord, we choose to be anxious for nothing [Philippians 4:6]; we choose to count it all joy. [James 1:2] We choose to bless and not curse [Romans 12:14], for our hearts’ desire is to be like your Dear Son, Jesus, and to grow up into the perfect men and women of God that you desire us to be.
Your Word, Father, says that we are more than conquerors. [Romans 8:37] We’ve mouthed that without any real understanding, but right now Lord we receive it; by an act of our will, we accept it as one of the realities of who we are in Jesus. [a, b] According to your Word, we believe that we are maturing to the point that being a conqueror is not an intermittent experience, but an ever present reality of all things in our lives. With unerring consistency we choose daily whom we will serve – the God who is GOD! [Joshua 24:15] We believe you to mature us to the place where our patience is perfected [James 1:4], and we have full access to every spiritual gifts [Ephesians 1:3], which we exercise diligently, decisively, skillfully, and consistently under your leading and anointing. We expect you to make us fully, wholly, like Jesus; so much so, that the Devil will leave us too for season upon seasons on end [Luke 4:13], because we’ve passed every temptation and spiritual test, because you Oh Lord have proven us and we have not been found lacking! [Daniel 5:27]
In Jesus’ Name Amen!
a. In him
b. in whom
Even in nature there is a use for stress. Consider this scenario: when physical muscles are used, stress is placed on them, which in turn leads to the metabolizing of fat, and building those muscles. Temptations place stress on us which can be: financial, sexual, mental, physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual. It gives us the opportunity to choose something we desire. Temptation offers us an opportunity to prove to ourselves and the world what we will stand or fall for. The trick however, is not to choose things of limited satisfaction over things which have greater or lasting benefits. In the above scenario, the temptation is to not exercise; to eat that second piece of cake; to have kids run errands we could and should easily do for ourselves, as well as to forgo the long-termed benefits of greater, or sustained physical fitness. Ultimately (on a spiritual level), those things that line-up with the Word of God, are the things to be desired; they are the things which should allure, fascinate, and attract us.
This same natural principle has a spiritual corollary: our faith, our patience; our self control, our temperance and/or endurance, as well as our ability to walk in the Love of God are all spiritual muscles. Muscles which must be stressed (exercised, tested, or proven) in order to be built up and to demonstrate (if only to our self) where the weakness (if any exist) lie. For example when you encounter or interact with that treacherous, worldly, ungodly co-worker(s), one obvious temptation is to snap off on them and/or to respond to them in kind. However, the proof of our salvation, the evidence of our spiritual maturity, is if we respond to them in love; continuing to do our jobs to the best of our abilities (without an attitude, rancor, wrath, or malice); to faithfully deal with that person(s) without a change in our demeanor toward them and faithfully casting the care of that person and/or situation at the feet of Jesus for His resolution and to patiently await (without complaint) deliverance in His time. [1 Corinthians 13:1-8]
Too often though, we miss it. We do respond in kind. We work, but not as unto the Lord, but grudgingly. [Colossians 3:23-25] We curse rather than bless those who have despitefully used us and don’t even think about praying for them unless it is vengefully. [Luke 6:28] We whine and complain; playing the martyr to any and everyone who will listen, including God; but we get no relief because our methods and motives are wrong. [James 4:1-3] It never even occurs to us to be joyful; to see the situation as an opportunity for us to grow and for God to move, and for the Lord to be exalted in the earth and through our personal walk. We don’t see that the temptation is a.) Either the Devil looking for a chink in our armor, or b.) a hurting, desperate person, who is lashing/reaching out in pain or frustration or who is just interacting with the world around them the only way they know how. Sad to say not everyone knows better, so that they can do better. Anyway, LORD, help us!
Father, in the Name of Jesus, help us! We repent for our failings and this moment, Oh Lord we turn from our ways to that of your Word.[ Ezekiel 33:9] Help us, Lord, to exercise these spiritual muscles; to continually, consistently move beyond every temptation to triumph in Jesus Name! Today Oh Lord, we choose to be anxious for nothing [Philippians 4:6]; we choose to count it all joy. [James 1:2] We choose to bless and not curse [Romans 12:14], for our hearts’ desire is to be like your Dear Son, Jesus, and to grow up into the perfect men and women of God that you desire us to be.
Your Word, Father, says that we are more than conquerors. [Romans 8:37] We’ve mouthed that without any real understanding, but right now Lord we receive it; by an act of our will, we accept it as one of the realities of who we are in Jesus. [a, b] According to your Word, we believe that we are maturing to the point that being a conqueror is not an intermittent experience, but an ever present reality of all things in our lives. With unerring consistency we choose daily whom we will serve – the God who is GOD! [Joshua 24:15] We believe you to mature us to the place where our patience is perfected [James 1:4], and we have full access to every spiritual gifts [Ephesians 1:3], which we exercise diligently, decisively, skillfully, and consistently under your leading and anointing. We expect you to make us fully, wholly, like Jesus; so much so, that the Devil will leave us too for season upon seasons on end [Luke 4:13], because we’ve passed every temptation and spiritual test, because you Oh Lord have proven us and we have not been found lacking! [Daniel 5:27]
In Jesus’ Name Amen!
a. In him
b. in whom
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