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. 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. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
—James 1:12-13; 4:7).
James 1:12 addresses the topic of temptation and the benefits of enduring through it. Some believers interpret this verse to suggest that God presents temptations and trials to lead us to redemption. However, James 1:13 clarifies that God is not the source of the temptations that may lead us to stray from Him. God is love and the creator of all that is good, while Satan is the author of everything evil. Satan uses temptation and trials to entice us into making choices that can ultimately lead to our destruction.
Temptations and trials will always arise, and there is incredible benefit in enduring them in a godly manner. However, these temptations and trials do not come from God. Believing that God sends evil to strengthen our faith may lead us to submit to these trials instead of resisting them (James 4:7). While we can grow stronger from the trials we face (James 1:2-3), it is essential to remember that our loving Abba Father is not the source of these hardships.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” James wrote, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3).
James 1:2-3 emphasizes that we should rejoice in our trials. However, these verses are often misinterpreted to suggest that God is the source of our trials. James 1:13-14 clarifies this misunderstanding. God never tempts us, nor does He abandon us. He is faithful and carries us through our temptations and trials. Therefore, we can rejoice in the midst of our challenges, trusting that God will bring us safely through them. Our belief in His inherent goodness strengthens us. As we stand firm in our faith, the valuable quality of patience develops within us.
The testing of our faith through temptation and trials produces patience within us. This concept is similar to what Paul expressed in Romans 5:3-4: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Paul indicates that tribulations produce patience, and James shows that patience comes from the Word. So, does patience emerge from our trials or the Word?
Patience is a type of faith that endures over time and is rooted in the Word (Romans 5:4, 10:17). However, patience must also grow and mature. Just as individuals learn a trade in school and refine their skills through practical experience, our faith and patience begin with the Word but are developed as we encounter life’s challenges.
Many Christians believe that God, their Abba Father, sends trials into their lives to help them grow and become more perfect. As a result, they often choose to accept these trials rather than resist them. While these challenges may tempt us to turn away from God, praising Him during our difficulties demonstrates our faith in His faithfulness. This perseverance allows us to rely on Him and develop greater patience.
It is crucial to our faith to understand the difference between the source of our temptations and trials and the source of our blessings (John 10:10). God does not tempt us (James 1:13). Instead, we must choose to submit to God and resist the enemy (James 4:7).
You can endure when you know you have God's power to resist. Look unto Jesus, the one who initiates your faith; He will ensure its faithful completion in your life (Hebrews 12:2). Submit to God, and the devil will flee. Your faith will flourish when you believe and trust in God's inherent goodness. In God's power, you shall overcome the devil’s temptations and trials that come against you in this fallen world.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).
www.lynnlacher.com/2025/05/jesus-is-author-of-your-faith.html
No comments:
Post a Comment