Previously, we looked at our trials, their benefits and how to endure them. Now we are going to look at how our trials can be temptation to sin if we do not respond correctly. Every trial that comes into our life is a test. If we pass it, it is still a test or a trial. If we fail, it is a temptation.
Read James 1:12-15
Our outline is:
v. 12 - Reward of enduring trials
v. 13 - Reasons not to blame God
v. 14/15 - Risk of entertaining temptation
The word Blessed [Strong's #3107. μακάριος makariŏs, mak-ar´-ee-os; a prol. form of the poetical μάκαρ makar (mean. the same); supremely blest; by extens. fortunate, well off:—blessed, happy (× -ier).] in verse 12 means happy or fortunate. It pictures an inner quality of life, peace of heart not dependent upon circumstances or people. This is a believer's soul that has experienced joy regardless what is going on in their life.
Which made me think of this song Counting on God, & Joy Unspeakable, the hymn [from I Pt. 1:8]. I love music and it's been awhile since I've linked any songs so I hope you enjoy this and are blessed!
Remember James 1:2 says count it all JOY when you fall into various trials. So this state of blessedness is a man or woman enduring various trials as they go through life and they don't give up. They keep on keeping on!
Now in verse 12 some translations will say temptations rather than trial but the Greek word is for trials. We don't endure temptations, we resist them.
Strong's #3986. πειρασμός pĕirasmŏs, pi-ras-mos´; from 3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by impl. adversity:—temptation, × try.
Strong's #3985. πειράζω pĕirazō, pi-rad´-zo; from 3984; to test (obj.), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:—assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.
Strong's #3984. πεῖρα pĕira, pi´-rah; from the base of 4008 (through the idea of piercing); a test, i.e. attempt, experience:—assaying, trial.
Strong's #4008. πέραν pĕran, per´-an; appar. acc. of an obsol. der. of πείρω pĕirō (to “pierce”); through (as adv. or prep.), i.e. across:—beyond, farther (other) side, over.
**side note here, when looking up the Greek word and it says, "from such and such number" keep going back until you get to the base of the word so you can get a better idea of what the word ACTUALLY means.**
If we persevere during a trial it is a sign we are of genuine faith. If we do not persevere during a trial proves our faith is spurious. Remember from previous notes what that means? [not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source;
counterfeit.]
So who does James say is happy, blessed? It is the man who endures temptations or trials. Someone who remains steadfast, they're not double minded as we've seen previously. Why are they blessed? [Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5) - The word blessed is used by Jesus 8 times in the Beatitudes]. Being blessed is a great place to be and that is one of the rewards of enduring trials. James goes on to give us another reward for enduring trials. Notice what he says. For when you have been tried you will receive a crown of life.
The word tried in this verse =
Strong's #1384. δόκιμος dŏkimŏs, dok´-ee-mos; from 1380; prop. acceptable (current after assayal), i.e. approved:—approved, tried. [assay]
Strong's #1380. δοκέω dŏkĕō, dok-eh´-o; a prol. form of a prim. verb δόκω dŏkō, dok´-o (used only as an alt. in certain tenses: comp. the base of 1166) of the same mean.; to think; by impl. to seem (truthfully or uncertainly):—be accounted, (of own) please (-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow.
Strong's #1166. δεικνύω dĕiknuō, dike-noo´-o; a prol. form of an obs. prim. of the same mean.; to show (lit. or fig.):—shew.
It is a verb translated approved and it is referring to coins that they used in the NT times. They would test them in fire. They would put them in the fire to see if they were genuine or not and if they were, they would be purified. We can apply this to our own lives. As we go through the fire we should come forth as purified. Job 23:10
>>>Here is a song for this verse. It is from the NIV. Here is another I found.
Do you know this one?
I shall come forth as gold when I'm tried Job cried
I'm coming out a winner if I live or if I die
Don't feel sorry for me friend, I'm safe in the fold
I'm not forsaken, God's refining His gold
So what is Job talking about? Being put in the furnace like those coins to see if they're real, genuine, purified. He's really saying, "Bring it on!" cuz I know I am going to come forth as gold. In order to be rewarded, the believer must prove himself as genuine, that is what James is talking about. Sometimes this is called the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. James says you are blessed if you endure trials and when you are approved you will receive a crown of life. Look at Hebrews 3:14; 6:11,12; 10:23, 35-39. Enduring to the end...what James says in chapter 1 and what is being said in Hebrews...is a sign that you are a genuine Christian...you persevere to the end, you do not give up!!
Why, as a christian do I have to consider myself blessed during trials? James says because of the crown of life you will receive....so what is the crown of life?
In the Greek it means, that which encompasses the head.
Strong's #4735. στέφανος stĕphanŏs, stef´-an-os; from an appar. prim. στέφω stĕphō (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor gen.; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, 1238), lit. or fig.:—crown.
We get our English word Stephen from it, remember Stephen in the Bible? He was stoned for his faith, he was one of the martyrs. He received the crown of life. According to what James is saying here, the crown of life only belongs to those who win their battle against temptation & trials, proving they are victorious. In fact, when Jesus is talking to the seven churches in Asia in Revelation 2:10 he says this very same thing to Smyrna..."be faithful unto DEATH and I will give you a crown of life!" The word "tried" is used in the same way. This crown, this reward, is promised to those who love God...not for a season but for those who love God til the end. James is indicating here our love for God is our motive for persevering when we are tempted, when we are going through trials. The word for love here is
Strong's #25. ἀγαπάω agapaō, ag-ap-ah´-o; perh. from ἄγαν agan (much) [or comp. 5689]; to love (in a social or moral sense):—(be-) love (-ed). comp. 5368.
which denotes a love of understanding and purpose that should prompt us to be obedient to God's commands. Do you remember what Jesus said to his disciples? If you love me, keep my commandments. How often do we say we love God but deny him in our actions? We do it all the time! We go to church on Sunday & sing and worship the Lord but then we go home and we start an argument with our husband or wife or we gossip with someone....but we say we love God...If we say we love God we are to keep his commandments but we are also to persevere, we hang in there with our relationship with God. We don't give up because we love Him! Just like in our marriage. Sometimes marriage is hard but we don't or we shouldn't bail out because why? We made a commitment to our spouse & we hang in there! So...question...do we love God only when it's convenient? Do we love him in times of testing? Do you love God today as much as you did when things were a little bit better in your life? The Crown of life will only be given to those who love God in deed and in truth. Whatever trial you are facing, if you endure, you are not only called blessed, happy [that's inner peace & contentment in your life], but secondly, you will receive the crown of life on that day when you stand before God. However, for some of us, trials can become temptations to sin. That is why James shifts gears from trials to temptations in verse 13 which we will discuss in the next blog. I hope you have been encouraged and that you are persevering! Let me know how this might be blessing you!
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