I wrote this for a friend but I thought I'd share it :)
James chapter 1
From the second that we wake up to the second that we go to bed we face trials and temptations. Day in , day out , no doubt we will face trials and temptations but here is where the encouragement comes in. James has advised us that when we face these things we should be happy. Yes. Happy. Why? Because when our faith is tested we learn how to endure and persevere.
Another reason to rejoice is that from trials and temptations we learn our weaknesses and our strengths. These trials/temptations bring to the surface how mature we really are in Christ. One thing that gets us through is wisdom. Wisdom on how to handle these situations. James says if we lack wisdom we should ask. We should ask in Faith hoping that we will get what we asked for.
This brings to mind the scripture 1 Corinthians 10:13 (New Living Translation)
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
That way out comes from the wisdom in which God gives. There is nothing that we enter that we cannot overcome because God himself said he will not allow it. When we feel we cannot overcome something it is a matter of the mind. Your mind tells you that its only normal for everyone to have ‘sex’ out of marriage (an example) but if you tell your mind that the word of God says that ‘Thou shall not fornicate’ it will soon enough reprogram itself and submit to the word of God. I’m not implying that we should just follow a list of rules and regulations but I am implying that we must daily renew our mind with the word of God. The closer we draw to God , the deeper we fall in love with him. We will obey him because of the love we have for him.
It is so essential to have the word of God in your heart. In Joshua 1:8 he was advised to mediate on the word day and night and to follow that which is written in it and his way will be prosperous and successful. We could take the same advice and apply it to the word of God. David said I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11).
Jesus himself was a perfect example of having the word in him which caused the devil to flee. In Luke 4:1-13 Jesus was tempted by Satan and each time he threw the word of God back at him and Satan . Verse 13. When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. This verse stood out to me because it is clear that Satan may leave you for a while but he will come back and try to tempt you again. This reminds of the scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. He is continuously looking to accuse the brethren before God but we must be sober and alert so we do not fall captive of his traps.
I know it seems like we are in a continuous battle but remember in all of this God loves us and will give us the strength and wisdom to overcome. We will be tempted by things on tv, on twitter, on the road everywhere just be alert and ask for wisdom.
Always remember that God does not tempt us. It is our lustful desires within our hearts that tempt us. God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt anyone (James 1:13)
I’m trying to take each day as it comes. Not worrying about the trails and temptations that I will face but just daily seeking and asking for Wisdom. I won’t tempt myself because I know I'm not made of wood which has no feelings!
I’ll try and do the rest of the chapters later during the week.
Bless x
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