James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
The most profitable way to face any trial or tribulation is to choose joyfulness. Verse two of our text instructs the believer to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." The underlying Greek word translated "count" primarily means "to lead before the mind." In the forefront of our thinking, we should have an attitude of joy, especially as one anticipates a trial coming. The instruction in this passage could be reworded, "Consider joy when facing tribulation" (see Philippians 4:4 pictured above).
Having a joyful disposition in life will help us to be ready for any type of trial or test that comes our way, described in our text as "divers temptations." If the believer considers James 1:2, pictured above, as the proposition for the entire epistle, he will connect it with the main premise for each section of the epistle. One should first consider joy when he is facing the temptation of:
(1) showing prejudice (James 2:1-13)
(2) living a life of faithless deeds and a deed-less faith (James 2:14-26)
(3) attempting to be an ill-prepared teacher (James 3:1), who has an undisciplined tongue (James 3:2-12) and lacks spiritual wisdom (James 3:13-17)
(4) being selfish and self-centered (James 4:1-10)
(5) acting presumptuously (James 4:13-17)
The joyful child of GOD should only "fall" into a temptation, for the saint can never find joy when he walks directly and intentionally into a temptation. Just as the believer looks deeply into the "mirror" of GOD's WORD and makes adjustments, so he should be observing and considering all parts of his life so that he does not find himself marching into the pit of sin's enticement. What can help the saint find joy when facing trials and temptations ? We will see these principles in the verses to come.
The Bible charges believers to be joyful and content when facing trials, but James does not leave his instruction without an explanation as to why this should be so. The first reason that the saint ought to consider joy when facing a trial is because the difficulty can train him to be patient (James 1:3 pictured above). The question the reader might ask is: How does a trial teach me patience ? The answer: The child of GOD must wait until the hardship comes to an end. Everyone knows that patience entails waiting. The farmer who has planted the seed has to wait for the first rain to come. The injured construction worker must stay in the hospital to wait until he heals enough to be released. The issue with most people is that they "just do not have the time !" to learn patience.
What is happening when the LORD sends a trial ? HE allows the difficulty so that we can examine our faith (v.3). Many say, "You are trying my patience." That is wrong, for, in fact, we do not have any patience in our natural flesh. Patience only comes with the aid of the HOLY SPIRIT. The LORD is developing endurance by means of the trials that HE sends. David's faith was examined when he worried whether he had enough men to fight future wars. He failed the test once he demanded that Joab enact a census (2nd.Samuel 24:2 pictured above, also read 24:1-19). Whenever the saint is facing an ordeal, he needs to remember that he cannot jump over the trial, cannot go around the trial, and cannot go under the trial. The only choice that a person has is to go through the trial. The examinee ought not to manipulate circumstances to get out of the testing. In the midst of our hardships, we must understand that GOD is using these events so we can learn to be more patient. KGL
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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