A FEW RESOLUTIONS FOR 2012, AS LEARNED FROM STUDY OF THE EPISTLE OF JAMES — Part 1

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RESOLUTION 1. UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF BEING TEMPTED (TESTED, UNDERGOING TRIALS) — James 1:2-12.


“You cannot prevent a bird from flying over your head, but you can prevent the bird from building a nest in your hair.” Ancient proverb

“That which does not kill me, makes me stronger.” A SEAL Team saying (originating with Frederick Nietzche?)


Read James 1:2-12: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 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. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; [he is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. Blessed [is] the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Are you tempted? If your answer is “yes,” it means one thing: you are normal. We are all tempted. Even Jesus was tempted following His forty-day fast. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan was even called “the tempter” in this passage. Jesus withstood (resisted) Satan's temptations.

You cannot help being tempted. Your responsibility is to resist the temptation. Being tempted is one thing, but yielding to— acting upon, giving into— temptation is entirely something else. Temptation is not sinful, but acting upon (embracing) the temptation may be sinful.

The concept of temptation is frequently addressed in the Old and New Testaments. Various words are used to translate this concept— “test,” “tempt,” “provoke,” “snare,” “trials,” etc. (See Genesis 22:1 || Psalm 7:9; 11:5 || Luke 22:28 || James 1:2 || 1 Peter 1:6 || Job 31:27 || Proverbs 22:25 || Isaiah 3:8 || etc.)

The greatest period of temptation and trial is yet to come. This seven-year period of great trials is called “The Tribulation.” The Greek word for “tribulation” is thlipsis (translation: “pressure”). Unprecedented pressure on mankind will occur during this time, and only those strong and brave enough to resist Satan's pressure by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior will survive into an eternity of joy.

What is temptation? Temptation is any situation in life that draws you from your walk in the Spirit of God into your flesh (that is, abandoning your spiritual person to become your carnal person). But, just as steel is used to sharpen steel, temptation can be a proving ground of your faith and make you stronger.

Why are we tempted?

Each temptation— each adversity— is an opportunity for growth and, more importantly, for proving excellence. When someone compliments me, I politely thank him/her. My ego may be puffed up a little, but I probably learn little, if anything. If someone “shakes me by my shirt collar” and frankly and plainly tells me why I was/ am wrong, I listen and usually benefit from the criticism. Quit being so thin-skinned that you cannot learn from honest criticism. Be thankful for the honesty, courage, and love afforded by valid criticism. Learn and benefit from the truth. In other words, each adversity is an opportunity for growth. Adversity can cause you to improve or to retreat into a shell of defeat and self-pity. Adversity can cause you to become better or bitter. You can strengthen your walk in the spiritual path laid out before you by the Holy Spirit, or you can walk in ugly earthly paths laid out by Satan and his followers. Joy in life is when you face adversity head-on and defeat it, hoping someday to hear your Master say (Matthew 25:23b): “... Well [done], good and faithful servant;...”


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Temptation has at least two outcomes:


You find areas of weakness, which can lead to improvement of character. Football coaches spend seemingly endless hours practicing the same plays that will later be used in games. With each practice play, they hope to find weaknesses of an individual player or the team in order that any weakness can be corrected before game day. Every day is a practice day for you and me. How you overcome temptation and remedy any weakness in your character is a practice for your becoming more like the Christ you desire to follow.

I used a personal example several months ago, but I will repeat it. Years ago, my young firstborn grandson accompanied me to a local hardware store to purchase some garden seeds. The clerk, who probably was very tired, made an honest mistake. She gave me too much change. I quietly told her of her error and I returned the excess to her. She was, of course, grateful. My grandson, who was just beginning to understand that money can buy things, asked me after we left the store:
“Granddaddy, why did you give money back to that woman?”
“Because, she gave me too much money in change.”
“Why didn't you just keep the money?”
“That was not my money. It was the store's money. It would be wrong for me to keep money that belongs to someone else. That would be stealing.”
“Oh....”

Someone has defined character as doing what is right, even when nobody is looking. Although this definition is good, it lacks truthful reality. It may be that no man or woman watches you when you do right or wrong, but God sees. We never escape God's watchful eye. Every deed, whether good or bad, is known to Him.


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I suggest two things during this season of making resolutions:

• Take stock of your temptations. What tempts you? Adulterous sex? Pornography? Cheating (stealing from) persons with whom you deal? Spending time away from important things (your family, for example) to pursue ultimately meaningless activities (fanatical devotion to sports, Facebook or other social media accounts? abuse of alcohol or other mind-altering drugs? other activities?

Then, rid yourself of your temptations. This new year would be an excellent time to eliminate your temptations. Time is short before the return of Jesus. Jesus gave us a simple test (Matthew 6:21): [Jesus said] "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If you spend more time on worldly things which tempt you from following God as completely as possible than you do on following Jesus, you have decided to base your treasure on earthly concerns— not heavenly concerns. Our reward depends upon where our treasure is stored (whether in Heaven or on Earth).


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Consider James' teaching in this passage about the positive outcomes of temptation:

Consider temptation as a joy. Is this a strange statement? No. If you understand temptation, you will view it as an opportunity to grow. Every defeat of Satan's temptation is a victory in the Lord. Consider this important truth: If you are Satan's follower, he will not tempt you. But, if you are Jesus' follower, Satan will tempt you at every turn. If Satan tempts you, you must be doing something right, because Satan hates you. Build on your faith, and welcome temptation as affirmation of your faith.

I admit that I have led a privileged, soft life, in that I have not been persecuted. When I hear the horrors being faced daily by members of the persecuted church, I feel guilty much like some soldiers who return from war feel guilty by returning home alive, when their comrades were killed on the battlefield. I am reminded of a statement from Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862). Thoreau spent his life in the vicinity of Concord, Massachusetts. He rebelled against paying taxes, and was arrested. His friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson, visited the jailed Thoreau, and asked, “Henry, what are you doing in there?” Thoreau replied, “Waldo, the question is, what are you doing out there?” Emerson did not understand the reason for Thoreau's protest, which had no chance of stopping taxation but it was an act of conscience. Thoreau argued that if we do not distinguish right from wrong and act upon our feelings, we will become morally numb. I am pro-life, but I am ashamed that I have never been arrested and jailed because of my beliefs. How strong— really strong— are my pro-life beliefs, if I have never suffered for those beliefs? I have missed the “joy” of suffering for my beliefs.

Temptation develops patience. I have a Type A personality. I want things done yesterday, not tomorrow. I realize my impatience is a flaw. You, too, may need to work on being gentler and more patient in 2012.

Patience completes a Christian's life. James saw the benefit of patience, as it completes a Christian's walk with the Lord. We are repeatedly told to be patient (often called “longsuffering” in the Bible), when we deal with each other (for example, 2 Timothy 4:2): Preach the word! Be ready in season [and] out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. We should remember the Lord's patience toward us (2 Peter 3:9): The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. [my underlining for emphasis]

Trials lead to wisdom. James told us to learn from the temptations and trials of life. As an example, you learned as a toddler that you could take risks, but certain risks would cause you to fall and hurt yourself. From these early lessons, you now respect heights and will not undertake certain risks that might lead to a dangerous fall. James assured that God will give us wisdom, if we seek wisdom and learn from past mistakes and failures.

Wisdom from the Lord dispels lack of faith. Fear is the opposite of faith. Dozens of Scriptures tell us that to have faith in God dispels fear, but I will give you three verses:

• Psalm 56:11: In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

• John 14:27: [Jesus said] "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

• 2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Doubting God is lack of faith, and lack of faith will not be rewarded with His power. You cannot ask for God's power and expect it, if you believe He really cannot or will not help you. Ask, believing that God will give you what you need (not necessarily what you want). I believe the most successful prayers may be when God is approached with humility and when strength and wisdom to help others is sought. A few years ago, the prayer of Jabez was popularly taught. Consider Jabez' simple prayer (1 Chronicles 4:10): And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep [me] from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.

The crown of life. I wish to repeat one verse (James 1:12): Blessed [is] the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Followers of the Christ may be denied much in life and may suffer trials and persecutions. As we have studied before, God will compensate you many times over in Heaven for things you may suffer or miss on Earth. Rewards— including “crowns” — will be given at your Bema Judgment. Your good deeds amass eternal wealth, which will be made known before the entirety of Heaven at your Bema Judgment. Jesus will soon come with your reward (Revelation 22:12): [Jesus said] "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward [is] with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” When you endure and defeat temptation, you are creating your Crown of Life. But, when you succumb to and are defeated by temptation, you may not receive this crown. Note that James equated love with the willingness to endure temptation. If you truly love Jesus, you will overcome Satan's temptation.