Life, Trials and Temptations: The Book of James Chapter I

What is the life of a Christian without trials and temptations? How then should one grow? How will the power move? (Yes) How will the glory rise? It is not about the suffering, but about how we still hold on to what we believe, even in the midst of these trials and temptations. The Bible, the gospel accounts of Jesus, state that after his baptism, the Holy Spirit led him into the desert to be tried. It simply means getting ready for the glory. Overcome. Stand. Be. It all passes at the end. You choose how it ends.

The Book of James is one of the earliest books written in the Bible. The book is all about the life of a Christian, and yes, it was written by Jesus’ half-brother. A lot can be discussed there, but there is good in everything the Lord is doing. And yes, as long as one lives, the goodness of God and mercy follow, and salvation is.

So, the book was addressed to the 12 tribes of Israel, addressing different issues. With these issues, answers to questions like and around the following are found;

a) Faith in God ~ faith
b) What to do ~ faith & works
c) How to live in faith ~ discipline of faith
d) Expectations of faith
e) What does it mean to be a believer, living as a Christian

The Book of James

James chapter 1 opens with everything a Christian life is about. The following can be the key takeaways;

• Consider it pure joy WHEN you are tempted; you will surely face them, so be ready and present when they do
• The tests are here to help us grow, as we persevere, we mature and become complete, lacking nothing, spiritually, physically
• Ask for wisdom; we all need it.
• There is more than what the eyes can see, and with wisdom comes discernment
• When you ask ~ believe; do not be like the waves tossed to and fro, you won’t become
• Life, man’s life is like a flower, with the sun; if not standing strong, rooted and in coverage, you will wither
• Be humble in life ~ mistakes as lessons, yes, mistakes not repeated, wrong choices
• Persevere, there is a crown at the end of this journey
• God doesn’t tempt anyone;
• We are tempted because of our desires, and this is in a world where the fallen came first.
• Desires, when conceived, form sin as a baby and when birthed, death
• God can allow one to be tempted; better to have that discernment through the Spirit of God to understand when it is actually the case. Remember Job.
• Do the Word, Live the WORD
• Watch out not to be polluted by the world, it is here and saved for destruction

… for more, read here, Canva Link.

Remember the trials and temptations faced by Israel in the desert?

The account of the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob, coming out of Egypt towards and into the promised land, as accounted in the books Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. With their journey came different issues that they faced along the way.

Although many were trials but with the trials came the desire and temptations to give up a lot, including the Promise, thus rebuke and punishment from the LORD God who brought them out. accordingly.

• The journey itself, through the desert
• The Red Sea before them, the Pharaoh’s army behind them
• Always wanted to go back to Egypt
• It was like they were dragged out of slavery
• They always doubted God, always murmuring and weighing their option between God and Egypt

But, the good thing the Lord brought solutions always, and where someone needed to be punished, it was carried out

• It was God fulfilling the promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
• Water from the rock
• Food from heaven
• Light and heat, shade and coverage, pillar of cloud by day, a flame of fire by night

For more on the verses above, click here… to Canva

Looks like the culture of pushing aside and denying suffering didn’t begin with us. It is like after the fall, man in every century has been denying his own punishment for pleasure and happiness.

Jesus came, freed and saved us. Yet, He emphasised how trials and persecution will come, but this time not from our flesh but faith, because of the faith we have in Him. Hold on to peace even then, that’s what Jesus said. Embrace the journey as a whole, be watchful, trust God, holding on to faith and hope, He has delivered us already. Grow.

What to remember when faced with trials and temptation?

We are never alone. Not before, not now, not then or ever. He is with us in the good, for good and to the good. This is whether we see it or not, as long as we are faithful to His faithfulness, God is with us and will forever be.

Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 28:16-20, Psalm 23:3 writes,

• He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

For His eternal glory, we have become a part of a doing that can never be undone.

What can separate us from? Who can separate us?

NOTHING.