Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2-3 (NASB)
As I meditated upon today’s text, it became clear to me that there is some confusion for many folks on this topic. Certainly, the main confusion comes from the KJV use of the word “temptation(s)” rather than the more accurate word “trials” seen in verse two above in the NASB.
Temptations are strictly speaking acts of the evil one perpetrated to trip us up in our walk with God; often they are sins of pleasure of various types. Trials, on the other hand, are incidents/happenings that test our faith in God, and our obedience to His Word in our life. It is possible for a trial to have temptation within it too; look at the trials of Jesus in the wilderness for an example of this. The man who stands in such trials gives proof that his religion is sound, and the evidence in his own mind encourages him to take courage, to bear patiently, and to persevere as a child of God.
Dear Reader, we can take delight in our trials, be they health-related or some other hardship, not that they bring pleasure but rather an opportunity to experience God’s Word and Spirit work within us. In His presence, with His Word within our hearts, we can remain calm where others may panic. This makes it possible for us to endure our trials through Him; we may continue standing confidently and joyfully much to the amazement of those around us – a valuable testimony indeed.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
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