In the last blog (James 1:1-8), we learned to consider it pure joy from God when we encounter trials as a testing of our faith, because testing produces steadfastness leading to wholeness, lacking in nothing. We also found that doubt is our enemy because it blocks the wisdom we seek from God to combat the trial. James said that if we doubt, we may not received any relief from God. He also said that a doubter is double-minded and unstable.
James continues with remedies for double-mindedness of believers in Jesus as Lord and Savior, that is, not trusting God in a test of faith:
“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, . . .” (Jam 1:9).
Wait a minute! How is my crushing test of faith like exaltation before God? It sure doesn’t feel that way!
“ . . . and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits” (Jam 1:10-11).
The lowly brother, a believer, knows that whether he dies sooner or later, he will be healed by Jesus in heaven. But the rich man will fade away quietly, without realizing he is losing his financial blessing amidst his doubleminded busyness pursuing more money.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (Jan 1:12).
Not doubting God and not accusing God of being unfair are behaviors of perfect unity with God, as we consciously choose the good fork in the road to perfect unity. Conversely:
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one” (Jam 1:13).
How many times in life do we say, or hear being said, “Oh, God, how can you let this happen?” Clearly God is not to blame. Well, then, who is to blame?:
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (Jam 1:14-15).
Ouch! In a nutshell, when faith is tested, the temptation comes from our inappropriate desires and no one else. In being tested, we stand at the fork in the road to perfect unity with God, where we must carefully choose how we behave in order to not travel down the bad fork in the road to disunity from God, a very bad place to be.
It is up to us. It is our choice.
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (Jam 1:16-18).
Faith being tested is not a good and perfect gift; therefore it does not come from God. It comes from our own Satan-inspired desire for something greater, rather than resting in the good and perfect gifts God has already given us.
And there are many more gifts, if we persevere steadfastly and refuse to doubt God.
Hurry back for James’ treatment of hearing and doing the Word of God!