Combating Trials and Temptations Step by Step (Part 1--Patience)

James 5:7-11

L/W-our last look (from the book of James) at the temptations and trials believers are sure to face—temptation to hoard and covet wealth

This week we begin our last section of James. As we stated at the beginning of James—James’ letter is a call to live set apart from this world—that though believers are positionally set apart at salvation, there is a biblical call to progressive sanctification—in that from the root of being born again, believers embark on a journey of being progressively set apart from the image of this world and progressively set apart into the image of Jesus Christ.

Faith which is qualified and refined, is faith, that when tested and tried, when persecuted and afflicted, is faith that

Counts it all joy (James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” )

Stands fast in the midst of trials/temptations/afflictions (Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” )

Denies the world and lives in “persistent expectation” of Christ’s return (Titus 2:12-13 “teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”)

Embraces and embarks in pursuing God’s will (1 Thessalonians 4:3a “For this is the will of God, your sanctification…)

Stands against the wisdom, folly, and the unrighteousness of this world, regardless of the consequences (Daniel 3:17-18 “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.””)

God is not in the dark as to the temptation believers must endure and conquer; Jesus Himself endured all such things

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

This is why in James and through the Bible, He teaches us through various authors what to be on guard against and how to guard against it

Why? Why does the Bible—why does God go to such great lengths to teach us, convict us, and encourage us as believers to stand fast:

God knows sin has and can corrupt us—God knows how sin has separated who He created in His image (you and I) from a perfect relationship with Him—and He does not desire one soul He created to suffer in sin. And He knows the cause, the root of, and beginning of sin—temptation.

So, with this in mind, James again, as we end our study of James over the 2 weeks, will teach us two more ways believers can combat trials/temptation step by step:

Today—look at verses 7-11 (Patient endurance, keeping eyes focused on Christ’s return)

Next week—taking each circumstance and responding appropriately (verse 12-20)

We must combat trials/temptations with patience

I. (v.7) Be patient—for the Lord is coming again

James 5:7 “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.”

The Bible is very clear and straightforward in its declaration that Christ is returning:

(To give reward)

Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

(To separate the sheep from the goats)

Matthew 25:31-32 ““When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.”

(To judge the living and the dead)

2 Timothy 4:1 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:”

(To execute judgment upon the believers or the ungodly of the earth)

Jude 14-15 “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.””

(To judge believers)

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

The Bible is also very clear and straightforward in it’s declaration about how believers are supposed to live regarding Christ’s return; Believers are

(To occupy themselves, be busy serving the Lord until He comes)

Luke 19:13 “So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’”

(Not to slack up one bit or lack a single gift until Christ returns)

1 Corinthians 1:7 “so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

(To be without spot and unrebukeable when Christ returns)

1 Timothy 6:14 “that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,”

(To deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously, and godly until Christ returns)

Titus 2:12-13 “teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”

(To live so as not to be ashamed before Christ when He returns)

1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”

It is for these reasons, (1) Christ’s return and (2) how believer’s are to live (in sincerity of faith) in anticipation of His return--that James is reminding us of why we must be patient.

(Reminder) What patience biblically means (in Greek)—longsuffering, bearing and suffering a long time, persevering, being constant, steadfast, and to endure

(Reminder) What patience produces

Spiritual maturity

James 1:3-4 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Romans 5:3-4 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

This patience is unique for at least two reasons

It never gives in—it perseveres/endures no matter what the attack is (NOTE TWO THINGS)—

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

How to stand (“Stand Fast”)

stay rooted

stay planted

stay where you are

(where to stand) “…in the liberty by which Christ has made us free...”

Liberty is the space where, b/c of the cross of Jesus Christ, we live in complete freedom from the bondage/wages of sin

Liberty is the space where, b/c of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the pangs of death no longer haunt the believer

Liberty is the space where, b/c of the ascension of Jesus Christ, we have a Helper (the Holy Spirit) Who provides the conviction, strength, and confidence to endure all trial/temptations which we are sure to face

It is active--It does not lay back and accept trials/temptations as though they are a part of life, thinking nothing can be done about them, rather

It is a fighting endurance—which does not shun from facing trials/temptations—rather it confronts them, setting out to conquer them.

The goal in the spiritual discipline and the spiritual development of biblical patience is not to avoid, shun, shove down, or ignore—to do these things is shows ignorance—not patience--rather the goal is to conquer trials and temptations

Spiritual patience is a fruit of the Spirit—patience is the “fourth” of the spiritual fruits which Paul lists in Galatians 5:22—so, how is this fruit grown and developed?

First—the believer falls into a trial or is tempted towards sin

Second-(and this is one of the works of the Holy Spirit)-the Holy Spirit urges the believer to combat and conquer the situation—this urging or stirring is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believers life—it’s an evidence of His presence in your life

The Holy Spirit does not desire to be dormant in the life of a believer

The Holy Spirit desires to be actively conforming the believer more and more into the image of Christ—b/c that is His primary role

It’s the reason He convicts you of your sin

It’s the reason He brings understanding of God’s Word

It’s the reason He knows and helps you in weakness

Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

In the Holy Spirit’s promise and responsibility for sealing you and for guaranteeing your inheritance until the day Christ returns, His role is to see to it you are conformed into Christ image---and He (Who is also God) is faithful to His fulfill His promise—the grace of God is that He is faithful to Himself, b/c if His faithfulness was dependent on us, He wouldn’t be Who He says He is

Third-believers have a choice—in the urging and stirring of the Holy Spirit, believers either

Refuse the urging and fall into enslavement/discouragement/defeat, or

Refuse to give in to the enslavement/discouragement/lie/defeat—this is the work of the Holy Spirit

It comes in trusting the Holy Spirit, we must

Trust He will do HIs part in stirring us to fight

Do our part—we must struggle, fight, stand fast, dig in, and trust in God’s strength and not our own

(Practically) Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

(Practically) Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”

The point in this passage (v.7)?

Believers must be patient—we must endure through, fight through, persevere and NEVER GIVE UP in times of trial/temptation/affliction/persecution

Believers must be patient in the Lord—relying on His strength and provision—we must realize we are no match for the powers of hell—we never will be—we are not even a match against our own flesh, left to ourselves, we’d give in to whatever desire/temptation we felt like

Believers must do so knowing,

(Trials are for a little while)

1 Peter 1:6 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,”

(Christ is returning and what it means for the believer, the born again)

Titus 2:13 “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”

NEXT JAMES GIVES US AN EXAMPLE

II. (v.7-9) Be patient as the farmer—for the Lord’s coming is near

James 5:7-9 “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

(THE EXAMPLE)--What does a farmer do?

Plants his seed and waits patiently for the early rain to germinate the seed and the later rain to ripen the crop.

Looks forward—with great expectation--to the day the seeds he’s planted produce a harvest, so much so

The farmer does all he can to protect his crop from:

heat/cold

flood/drought

insects/disease

thorns/weeds

The “why” of the farmer

(THE MEANING) What should believers know and do?

Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” (There’s much to say about this verse, but for today, know that Paul is not talking about earning, meriting, or “gooding” your way to salvation, he’s speaking with a mental picture of a miner, who after realizing the diamond inside, does all he can to make it shine.)

Spiritually speaking—if you have been born again, you have been born again to a living hope.

Salvation is the start of one’s journey, a journey who’s end game is living eternally in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

“This is “why” of the believer

“This is my “why”—to see others come to the faith —to see Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives, and to see them grow in spiritual transformation

We should live in such great expectation of this day/of this moment—that we willingly/purposefully/and in great hope endure and fight against all the elements of this world:

trials/temptations

distractions/detractors

afflictions/hardships

persecutions

How do we do this? (Two things—establish our hearts and cease from evil speaking)

Establish your heart—(walk through this step by step)

Establish (sterixate) in the Greek the word means:

to fixate

This is not a passing or occasional glance, rather it means

a consistent focus/gaze—doing whatever it takes to keep our attention and focus on

to stand fast

in God’s faithfulness to keep His promises

God is faithful to Himself—He has not once broken a promise, nor will He. If He says He’s returning He wll

to set upon

“your heart”

“for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

The knowledge and truth that Jesus Christ is returning—to take us home—to judge the living and the dead—to see perfected redemption (living in glory), should stir us as believers to endure, fight, and combat trials/temptations/afflictions step by step

(Reminder)

Deuteronomy 7:21-22 “You shall not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.”

2. Cease from complaining, murmuring, and judging others

We must cease from

Complaining about our situations/trials and temptations

Blaming others about our situations/trials and temptations

We must cease from

Judging others—for their sin(s), their trials and temptations

The Bible speaks very direct about those who practice complaining, murmuring, and the judging of others

1 Corinthians 10:10 “nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.”

Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without complaining and disputing,”

Proverbs 19:3 “The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:39 “Why should a living man complain, A man for the punishment of his sins?”

III.(v.10) Be as patient as the prophets in suffering---they believed in and spoke the truth of the name of the Lord

James 5:10 “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.”

James is saying a couple of things here:

Look at the who

“Look at those from Scripture who have gone before you—those who hoped, believed, and bore witness to God.”

Look at what they did—they endured:

All sorts of trials and temptations—yet they patiently endured

All sorts of affliction/suffering/persecution—yet they combated and conquered them

Look at their faith

Hebrews 11:36-38 “Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.”

Hebrews 11:39-40 “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”

Look at what they held on to:

They stood fast/firm/upon their faith in God

O/T prophets looked towards the cross

N/T believers (us today) look back at the cross

O/T & N/T alike look ahead to the coming again of Jesus Christ

Look at the point—which is best summed up by David Jeremiah:

“These worthy souls did all they did before the coming of the Messiah, trusting in the “something better,” of God’s future promise of resurrection and redemption. The O/T saints had only the shadows and the promise. N/T Christians have the substance and the fulfilment.”

If these “worthy souls” combated, patiently endured, persevered, and conquered the trials/temptations/afflictions/sufferings they faced while living out Scripture—having only the shadows of the things to come, how great a witness and testimony it ought to be for N/T believers today—who have the “substance and fulfillment” of what God promised?

One of the greatest encouragements for me in my life has come from Revelation 2:4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

This speaks to the necessity of believers to not let it grow dim what God has accomplished for in salvation; what salvation has brought you out of into.

We, as believers, need to daily remind ourselves and dwell on how God has rescued us—and this is a great weapon against trials and temptations—that the Lord has saved you from being bound to sin, of being shackled to sin—so whatever sin your temptation is trying to lead you into—you have been set free from being enslaved to it and have the power to say “NO”

IV.(v.11) Be as patient as Job in suffering trials and temptations—for he saw the end of the Lord—meaning He was full of mercy and compassion

James 5:11 “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

A look at what happened to Job—few people have faced the affliction and trials which Job endured-

Bankruptcy

Loss of his property/livestock/employees

Loss of his sons

His wife—the person designated to go through life with him—encouraged and complained to him to curse God and then got on to him when he refused

And then his friends

A look at how Job responded

He never gave in to trials/temptations

Job 13:15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.”

Job 16:19 “Surely even now my witness is in heaven, And my evidence is on high.”

Job 19:25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;”

He never forsook his faith in God

Even in the midst of not understanding all that was happening to him—he never turned against God

A look at Job’s focus

Job kept his eyes fixed upon the end—which is to say—on the Lord and the great hope of the Lord

Job’s focus enabled him to trust God to carry him through all the trials/temptations he faced

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(WORSHIP TEAM/JOSH)

For the unbeliever here today: The end of the journey of salvation is living for eternity in God’s presence (heaven’s the destination, His presence is the goal)—but this journey must have a beginning. It must start somewhere. To rest in and be assured of the promise of living in God’s presence (free from trial/temptation, free from sin/bondage/affliction, free from sadness/heartache, free from loss/pain/suffering) this journey must begin and being born again.

In the midst of your afflictions, in the midst of your sin/struggles, in the midst of all of how you are living there stands a barren cross and what remains of an empty tomb; and through this barren cross and empty tomb the mercy and grace of God boldly proclaims you can be free, liberated, and saved—that you no longer have to fight from a place of uncertainty—rather you can fight from a place of victory. The barren cross and empty tomb are a promise of God, that if you will surrender your life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior—you can be counted in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you will have the right to be called a child of the King

It’s God’s heart for you and it was the mission of Jesus Christ to make a way for you to be known by Him and live in the expectant hope of one day living in His presence for eternity!!

For the believer here today, remember two things::

Salvation is a beginning: Do not let it grown dim on you, that salvation is the great gift of God and that through Christ you have been reconciled and redeemed and now live with the expectant hope of His Son’s glorious return.

Salvation is a journey, a journey one, full of

trials/temptations

afflictions/hardships

joy/blessings

tears of joy and tears of mourning

seasons of blessings and seasons of struggling

Salvation is journey, second, with an aim, goal, and promise

Romans 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Remember how you are to live—every day. We will close with this charge from Paul to Timothy

1 Timothy 6:11-14 “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,”

What is the charge here:

Flee-”these things “

Pursue -”pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness

Fight-”the good fight of faith”

Lay hold-”lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses”

Keep-”this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,”