The Book of James Guide-Lesson 02
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
9Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. -James 1:2 - 12 (KJV)
Lesson 2: Live out your faith- Count it all joy, what’s your outlook on trials in your live?- James 1:2-12
1. Count it all joy- Reflect on the purpose and look to the Lord- James 1:2
2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Phillips expanded translation says, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!” Count it all joy.
Ø “My brethren” - We are all in this together. We all share in what going on with others believers.
Ø “consider it “– “To lead or go before, go first, to lead the way,” hence “to consider, to estimate, account, think” . It was a financial term meaning to evaluate or to count up the cost.
Ø “all joy”- "Joy" is the Greek chara "joy, gladness," or "the cause or object of joy, delight, or happiness." Joy is an emotion stirred up by a state or prospect of well-being, success, or blessing. In the Bible, it is an emotion that comes from thinking on and trusting in the benefits and blessings of God's love, wisdom, plan, and purposes.
Do not consider your trials a foe or a friend?
2. When are you to rejoice?- Face up to the fact that you are going to face trials in your life. – James 1:2
“…when ye fall into divers temptations”
Ø “fall”- encounter, meet, comes your way, come at you
Ø “divers”- many or multi-colors, various, many kinds, polka dots, manifold. We will have trials of all shapes and sizes.
Ø “temptations”- This word translated means a "proving." Specifically "the trial of a man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy. Trials with a beneficial purposes and effect.
3. Reason for your joy - Look at the real picture, and see what God is doing in your life. – James 1:3-4
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith…”
a) Understanding the purpose of your trials-
Ø Knowing -"to constantly keep a fact in mind." It refers to knowledge gained from experience It refers to knowledge gained from experience. The word is a present tense participle. You must know that God has a purpose in your trials. Your trials are not by chance; rather, they fulfill a specific purpose.
b) God’s purpose for trials is "…the trying (testing) of your faith"
Ø "trying"- "the process or means of determining the authenticity of something. The word pictures a crucible. The crucible was used in firing or purifying metals for the sake of increasing their quality. A refiner would take a metal of some sort and put it in a crucible, which he would in turn heat until it was liquid. At that point, those elements that decreased the quality would rise to the surface and be removed. The process would be repeated until all the impurities were eliminated. Through trials God removes the impurities of our faith. Testing is a natural part of life. We have to pass numerous tests in our lives (e.g., driver's license, school, work). This is also true in most professions (e.g., teachers, engineers, doctors, or lawyers). We also test drive cars, test out products. Tests are necessary to demonstrate fitness and maturity. Testing refines us.
c) When the process of refining is finished, what's left is…
Ø " patience."- "the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty.” The ability to stand up under or have staying power. It is translated as "endurance" (NASB), "steadfastness" (ESV), "perseverance" (NIV), and "patience" (NKJV).
§ This is the result that is produced when you let trials work in you. But you must let it work in you.
· You will develop or produce patience.
· Perfect work is done in your life.
· You will be spiritually mature and complete
· You will not be lacking in anything.
Your faith can only reach full maturity when faced with difficulties and opposition.
4. If you do not understand your trials, pray for wisdom. –Talk to God and see Him for who He is. –James 1:5-8
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
a) If you do not understand why you are going through trials in your life- talk to God. v.5
See God as the provider and as one that cares about you.
The wisdom James is referring to here is the ability to view a test from God's perspective. You need God's wisdom to know how to cope with the loss of a job, with serious illness, with bereavement, to go through life itself. It takes God's wisdom to endure and to grow through these trials.
"Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge"
b) He gives to all men:
Ø “liberally,”- generously, freely, abundantly.
Ø “and upbraideth not”- will not rebuke, will not show reproach, will not be condescending toward you, will not look down on you. God will not give you any bad attitude when you go to Him in faith.
Ø The promise, “and it shall be given him.” – this is a promise that will come to pass, that you can take to the bank.
c) How should you talk to (pray) God:
Ø “ask in faith” ( Do not doubt )- v.6
Ø ask without indecisiveness ( “wavering” )- vv. 6-7
Ø ask with your focus on God ( not double-minded )- v.8
§ “Double-mined”- means unreliable and not dependable. Two-spirited, indecisive, uncertain, not sure, to waver in mind; undecided (in opinion or purpose), hesitant, unsettled. Having different minds at different times. A double-minded person is someone who is trying to be of the flesh and the Spirit at the same time. It is used to describe someone who is divided in his interests or loyalties, wavering, uncertain, two-faced, half-hearted. (James 1:8; 4:8).
§ “Unstable” – unhinged, unbalanced, not fixed or set.
5. Trials and testing will make all believers equally dependent on God. – Learn to see others as God see them. James 1:9-11
9Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
a) The poor and the rich are the same.- We all will be tested by God. vv. 9-10
Ø The testing helps the poor to understand their importance.
Ø The testing helps the rich not to trust in his resources, but in God.
6. Endure the trials, See the Reward, and Express your love for Him and others. – Hold on and put love into action.-v.12
12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
a) The prize- “the crown of life”.
God knows and recognizes our endurance for Him.
Ø “Blessed…”-a state of happiness and well-being possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God.
Ø “the crown of life”- This crown is given for enduring testing (trials) and temptation. The crown is not eternal life which is a gift through faith alone in Christ alone (John. 4:10; Roman. 3:24; 5:15-17; 6:23; Eph. 2:8), but a reward for enduring trials and overcoming temptation. (Rev. 2:10 )
· A crown (the laurel-leaf crown) was given to the winners in the Grecian Games.
· A crown also signifies royalty- (Luke 22:29).
· A crown is round which signifies something without end, and without defect (because a circle faces every direction).
Ø “…which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”- This promise is to those who put their faith and love into action.
Faith-Walk Study Questions:
1. What should be your attitude toward the testing of your faith?
2. What does it mean to be joyful in trying times?
3. What are some of the “many colored trials that you will face?
4. What are some of the benefits of completing the process of going through trials?
5. What is promised to the believer who truly endures?
6. Why is wisdom so important and how do we get it?
7. Why is unwavering faith so crucial to victory?
8. What is a double minded person and what can the one who is double mined expect?
9. What can the one who steps out in solid faith anticipate?
10. What is the crown of life and how do we obtain it?
Notes:
Reading Assignment: Read James 1:13-18
Faith-Walk Action Plan:
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Memory Verses:
12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. - James 1:12 (KJV)