1. Experiencing Joy in Trials (James 1:1-18) -- James: Practical Discipleship (2024)

1. Experiencing Joy in Trials (James 1:1-18)

A sundial shows motion and change. But God is immutable, he "does not change like shifting shadows"

Imagine, if you can, a drill sergeant barking out to greentrainees, "when you're ambushed and they start shooting at you, a grin is gonnabreak across your face, and you're gonna get real happy."

You'd think he was crazy ... and he might be.

But essentially, that's the same thing James is saying inour passage. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials ofmany kinds..." (verse 2). Why should we have joy in our trials? To understandthis, we need to understand the value of trials, the nature of trials, and oursource of help in these trials. I'm going to consider these questions in aslightly different order than in our text, so bear with me.

The Value of Trials (James1:2-4)

"² Consider it pure joy, my brothers,whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that thetesting of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴ Perseverance mustfinish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James1:2-4)

James says, "Consider it pure joy ... when you face trials... because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James1:3). In other words, we should have joy in knowing that our trials are doingsome good. They are building in us a "hang in there" attitude, one which willcontinue on and not give up.

The word translated "trials" (NIV, NASB, ESV) or"temptations" (KJV) is the Greek word peirasmos, "test, trial." But thesame word is also used for "temptation, enticement to sin,"4thus causing a bit of confusion that James clears up in verse 13. James refersto trials "of many kinds." These may be adverse circ*mstances such as beinghurt by a loved one, or bereavement, poverty, or oppression. Or these trialsmay be much more diabolical: actual temptation or overt seduction by Satan tosin, such as Jesus experienced (Matthew 4:1-11). As we've learned the hard way,trials and temptations come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. James tells us tolet these be a stimulus to joy in our lives.

When we are brand new Christians, we have genuine faith,sure enough, but our faith is innocent, untried. As faith is tried, it deepensand matures, and is able to flourish in all sorts of circ*mstances. And as weknow God's faithfulness in various places of testing, we develop the boldnessof faith that only a tried and tested faith can possess.

Early in the twentieth century, when people volunteered tobecome members of the Communist Party in countries like the US or England, newrecruits were given a stack of Daily Worker newspapers, and instructedto sell them on the street corner, and not return until the papers were sold.Imagine the kind of insults and abuse these green communists were subjected to.Those who continued as members of the Party did so with a commitment that hadcounted the cost. They were in it for the long haul. Count it all joy, saysJames, because trials create perseverance in you.

The Effect of Perseverance (James 1:4)

The word variously translated "perseverance" (NIV),"steadfastness" (ESV), "endurance" (NRSV, NASB), and "patience" (KJV) is theGreek word hypomonē, "the capacity to hold out or bear up in theface of difficulty, patience, endurance, fortitude, steadfastness,perseverance."5The verb means "to remain behind, stand one's ground, survive, remainsteadfast, persevere and also to wait."6Trials and temptations build a maturity and completeness in us.

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you maybe mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4)

"Mature" (NIV, NRSV), "perfect" (ESV, KJV) translate a wordmeaning "having attained the end or purpose, complete, perfect." When used ofpeople, it means "pertaining to being mature, full-grown, mature, adult" or"'perfect, fully developed' in a moral sense."7The accompanying word, translated "complete" (NIV, ESV, NRSV), "entire" (KJV),is a qualitative term: "pertaining to being complete and meeting allexpectations, with integrity, whole, complete, undamaged, intact, blameless."[8]

I've met some people, and so have you, who are trying tolive as adults with a tiny Sunday School faith. They haven't grown. God intendsour trials to make us complete and mature, to build integrity and wholeness inus. Have you let your trials do that? They are to complete us, so we are "notlacking anything."

One important part of this series of lessons are threeor four Discussion Questions in each lesson. We learn by reflecting on what wehave learned, processing it, and thinking through its implications. Don't skipthis step, or you will have gained head knowledge without heart knowledge! Iencourage you to write out your own answer to each question, perhaps in ajournal. If you're studying with others, discuss it. If you're studying online,click on the web address (URL) following the question and read others' answersor post your own. (Note: You'll need to register on the Forum before you canpost your own answers.
https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/instructions.htm)

Q1. (James 1:2-4) What value have trials had in yourlife? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God torefine you? How have you changed?
https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/271-q1-value-of-trials/

Crown of Life (James 1:12)

Now we're going to skip forward for a moment to verse 12.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres undertrial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of lifethat God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

There is a promise that comes along with our trials, andthat is "the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James1:12). Our trials set us back. We struggle, we complain to God sometimes, andsometimes we just grit our teeth and hang on. But we do so with the visionahead of a reward, a promise, a laurel wreath given to the winners, those whohave "stood the test." That promise stimulates and encourages perseverance inus.

And so as we grow in the Christian life, we move frominnocent, infant faith, yet untried, to faith that is tested and found true, toa confidence in God that enables us to be "more than victors" (Romans 8:37) andlaugh with joy at our trials, knowing that God's love for us endures, and thatwe look forward to a crown of life. This crown is not a reward for extraservice, above and beyond the call of duty. It is the crown that consists ofeternal life itself. We have that life now; we look forward to the wordsat the end of our journey, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter intothe joy of your Lord,"9the joy of life in his immediate presence forever.

The Nature ofTemptations (James 1:13-15)

We have examined the value of trials. Now let'sconsider the nature of those trials.

"¹³ When tempted, no one shouldsay, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he temptanyone; ¹⁴ but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, heis dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, itgives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James1:13-15).

When we get into trouble, it seems like two questions tumbleout of our mouths: "What did I ever do to deserve this?" and "Why is God doingthis to me?" God allows evil in the world -- that's part of him allowingus our free will. Did God create evil? No. He created the possibilityfor evil, but that is not the same as creating evil. Let's rephrase thatstatement. Does God create injustice and unrighteousness? Of course not! Hestands diametrically opposed to injustice and unrighteousness, to moral evil ofall kinds.

James applies this by asserting that God does not tempt (peirazō)us with evil in order to see if we will fall. It is with this negative sense of"to tempt with evil" that James asserts, "no one should say, 'God is tempting (peirazō)me.'" In the same way, Jesus taught his disciples to pray, "Lead us not intotemptation (peirasmos), but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13). Godtests us to strengthen and confirm us in our faith, but the evil in ourstruggles doesn't come from God -- he can't be tempted by evil and never temptswith evil himself.

Q2. (James 1:13-15) Why do people blame God for evil?Does God tempt us with evil? Does he tempt sinful people with evil? Why does heallow people to sin? Why does he allow evil to exist at all?
https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/272-q2-blaming-god/

Evil Inside (James 1:14)

The source of the evil is something inside us. "Each one istempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed" (James 1:14).We don't like this sort of teaching, of course. We want to believe that man isbasically good and that evil is an aberration, not inherent in man. But theBible seems to indicate the opposite.

"And God saw that the wickedness of man was greatin the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onlyevil continually." (Genesis 6:5)

"The heart is deceitful above all things, anddesperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV)

"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder,adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are whatmake a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him'unclean.'" (Matthew 15:19-20)

"... We have already made the charge that Jews andGentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: 'There is no one righteous,not even one....'" (Romans 3:9-10, quoting Psalm 14:3)

These verses and others are at the root of what is known asthe doctrine of original sin. As St. Augustine expressed it, all men inheritnatural corruption from Adam. God created man in his own image (Genesis 1:27)and declared his creation "very good." But Adam and Eve sinned, and they andtheir offspring "fell" from the original goodness in which God created them.Only Jesus is without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Only he can say, "... The prince ofthis world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (John 14:30, KJV). Our sins create"footholds" for the devil (Ephesians 4:27), but in Christ there was no footholdof the evil one. Only a single-minded love for his Father.

The Inner Battle

Though there are many evidences of God's good creation, thisfallenness or depravity extends to every part of man's nature. When we receiveChrist as Savior and Lord, there is a desire for God in the inner person, butat the same time a war is raging within us. St. Paul wrote,

"For what I do is not the good I want to do; no,the evil I do not want to do -- this I keep on doing." (Romans 7:19)

It is the life of the Spirit within us that delivers us fromthe power of the sin within us (Romans 8:1-17). But this is a gradual process,called in theological terms, "sanctification."

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spiritof the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflectthe Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness withever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2Corinthians 3:17-18)

"... until we all reach unity in the faith and inthe knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the wholemeasure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13)

"Through these he has given us his very great andprecious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divinenature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." (2 Peter1:4)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and justand will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John1:9)

Double-Mindedness (James1:5-11)

"⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, he shouldask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will begiven to him. ⁶ But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ heis a double-minded man, unstable10in all he does.

⁹ The brother in humble circ*mstancesought to take pride in his high position.
¹⁰ But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position,because he will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun riseswith scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty isdestroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goesabout his business." (James 1:5-11)

James introduces two powerful ideas into his letter:

1. Weare tempted by the evil desires that remain within us (James 1:14), and
2. Double-mindednesskeeps us from receiving God's wisdom and strength (James 1:7)

"Double-minded" translates a word meaning: "pertaining tobeing uncertain about the truth of something, doubting, hesitating," literally,"double-minded."11Until we come to the place where we are willing to face up to the sins thathang on in our lives, we continue to experience the inner war that St. Paulalluded to. Until we surrender our evil desires to God and let him work onthem, we are an easy target for sin's temptations.

But trials have a way of forcing the issue. When we have noother place to wriggle out of, in our extremity God helps us identify thoseparts of our character that are sinful and wrong. We are able to identify thoseunsurrendered desires that Satan entices and lead us into sin. And at thosetimes, he grants us the ability to repent and see the hold of those sins breakand lose their power. Unless we come through these difficult testing times, wedon't sort out our priorities and become single-minded in our love for God. Ourfaith remains stunted and crippled by our double-mindedness, and we remainspiritual babies.

So, in a real way, we can often look back on our trials withpure joy, since it is in those times that God is able to get our attention,help us make new commitments, and embark in new directions.

Q3. (James 1:5-8) How do trials help cure us of"doublemindedness"? How do trials help us grow in faith?
https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/273-q3-doublemindedness/

The Unchangeable Father(James 1:16-17)

"¹⁶ Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from theFather of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James1:16-17)

No, God's testings don't lead us to sin. He allows testingin order to deliver us from sin. The temptation comes from the evil desiresthat are within us. Instead, God sends us "good and perfect gifts."

Notice how God is described in verse 17. "The Father of theheavenly lights," an interesting phrase that indicates his role as the Creatorof the universe. He is the Light of lights. Next, we see a phrase whichindicates that God does not change. The KJV puts it very literally:

"... with whom is no variableness12,neither shadow of turning."

"Shadow of turning" refers to the variation in shadows whenan object is turned in relationship to a light source. The point is that Godthe Father does not change nor vary. He is immutable.

This probably doesn't seem to make much difference until youconsider what happens when you teach, as do the Latter-Day Saints, that Godchanges, that he was once a human being who progressed to godhood. This passageteaches clearly and unequivocally that God does not change.

The reason, of course, that James mentions this is that heis making the point that God is committed to "good and perfect" gifts (James 1:17),not temptation to evil (James 1:13). God is seeking our good and ourperfecting, not our failure or downfall.

Ask God for Wisdom (James1:5)

Now that we've understood the value of trials, let's go backto verses 5-8 to understand our need for wisdom.

"⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, heshould ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it willbe given to him. ⁶ But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ heis a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." (James 1:5-8)

And what are we to do when we are pressed to the wall andour sins and weaknesses lie exposed? We ask God for wisdom.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, whogives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James1:5)

When we ask people for wisdom, we often hear judgmentinstead: "I told you so." But not with God. And we have a very clear promise:"It will be given to him."

There is a condition to the promise, however. We must askwith a clear commitment and faith. Unless we deal with our mixed motives andsins, we won't be able to hear wisdom even if God speaks to us. Comingto God without repenting of and forsaking the sin that divides our allegianceswon't work, either. Adversity and trial have a way of clarifying the issues andhighlighting the decisions we need to make. Faith flourishes where we come to aplace of a single mind about the things of God, a place where doubt andindecision do not disable action, but where clear, single-mindedness enablesit.

Q4. (James 1:5-8) What is the promise to claim in verse5? What is the condition attached to this promise in verse 6? How do trialshelp us receive this wisdom?
https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/274-q4-wisdom/

He Chose to Give UsBirth (James 1:18)

The passage closes with a wonder-filled statement of God'sgrace and mercy towards us, despite our bent to sinning:

"He chose to give us birth through the word oftruth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." (James 1:18)

Available in paperback, Kindle, and PDF formats.

James speaks of the new birth we have received fromGod. We'll consider this passage more fully in Lesson 2.

But the point is clear, my friend. God has chosen to give youbirth. He knows about your struggles and sin. They are no surprise tohim. Your sins are why Jesus died. Jesus bore your sins on the cross andredeemed you. And your trials and temptations have meaning. They are leadingyou towards God's wholeness within.

You are his choice. He has life for you, and a plan -- to bea firstfruits, a harbinger, a herald of a new age. God himself chose to give youbirth. What a wonder!

Prayer

Father, thank you for your patience in refining me throughmy trials. Thank you for helping me really know you better now. Continue tohave mercy on me as I grow. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Key Verses

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever youface trials of many kinds." (James 1:2, NIV)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, whogives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James1:5, NIV)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, comingdown from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shiftingshadows." (James 1:17, NIV)

Endnotes

References and Abbreviations

[4]Peirasmos, BDAG 793, 1 and 2.

[5]Hypomonē, BDAG, 1039, 1.

[6]Ulrich Falkenroth and Colin Brown, "Patience," NIDNTT 2:772-776.

[7]Teleios, BDAG 995, 2 and 4.

[8]Holoklēros, BDAG 703.

[9]Matthew 25:21.

[10]"Unstable" is akatastatos, "unstable, restless," of vacillating persons(BDAG 35).

[11]Dipsychos, BDAG 253

[12]"Variableness" (KJV), "variation" (NASB, NRSV, ESV), or "change" (NIV) istranslated from the Greek word parallagē, "change, variation."[12]This is a rare word, used only here in the New Testament. It is used in Greekfor the setting of teeth in a saw, or for stones set alternately, for asequence of beacons or seasons (Adamson 74).

[13]"Chose" (NIV), "of his own will" (ESV, KJV), "in fulfillment of his own will"(NRSV) is the Aorist passive participle of boulomai, "to plan on acourse of action, intend, plan, will" (BDAG 182, 2b).

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