Read it! There's a lot there, and when you break it down and look at all the pieces that start to come together in this chapter, it is amazing. I am teaching on this chapter tomorrow, actually today, now that I remembered what time it is, in Sunday school. I will not be able to do this chapter justice, as the depths one can go are enormous.
There is so much here.
1. Consider it a joy when you go through trials, because they test your faith and produce endurance. Endurance, then brings about spiritual maturity.
2. If you persevere under trials, once you are approved you will receive the crown of life. You will have the abundant life here on earth as well as in heaven.
3. God does not tempt you. You are tempted when you are carried away and enticed by your own lusts. God does not tempt, but He will test. There is a difference. Do you know what it is?
4. Everything from God is good and perfect. This never changes because God never changes. He is forever the same.
5. Look into the mirror of Scripture and examine yourself. See where you stand. Is the word of God convicting you of an area of sin? Then cast it aside. Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.
6. Ask God to give you wisdom so that you may be able to discern the things that come your way in life.
Almost each one of these points can be turned into a sermon real quickly.
Why do we need to ask God for wisdom? Because the enemy will try and deceive you any chance he can get. James tells us to not be deceived. If you want to be able to discern what is a trial, test, or temptation, you NEED God's wisdom. So ask Him for His wisdom.
So what is the difference between temptation and testing? Temptation is meant for destruction. Testing is meant for sanctification. When God tests us, He is growing us, molding us, making us more like Christ.
Exhort one another daily and pray for one another daily so that we may be able to discern when we are being tempted.
2 comments:
Thanks for doing this study! I enjoyed reading it and going back and reading James 1. There are so many reminders of ways that we need to act and look at things. James 1:19-20 makes you really think before you react which can be hard for me to do if I get my feelings hurt. This verse reminds me that I need to let God be in charge in my life so that I don't react in my flesh. I also need to work on listening more and talking less. That has always been a problem! Hope you are doing well!
love, Aunt Deb
I too need to listen a lot more than I do as well. I know that at least for me, it is so easy to become discouraged when trials come and to lose heart, when I should be thankful for the trials because they are meant to make myself and each of us stronger.
Thanks for the comment!
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