Let’s start out today with some insightful words from James:

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (1:2-4 NLT). You might also jot down Matt. 5:48.

If you read further down, we are told that the man who “endures (or perseveres) temptation is blessed... and they will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). And what did Jesus say those who actually love Him...will do (John 14:15)? Can I just tell you how much easier it is to actually do this...when you are truly ‘abiding’ in Him? (1 John 2:3-6).

Can anyone tell me why we have ‘lowered the bar’ to such a place where we indoctrinate new ‘believers’... that they will always ‘remain a flawed, human sinner who is saved by grace’? Who did James say this ‘crown of life’ would be given to back in vs 12? And were you aware that in the seven letters those 7 churches in Rev. 2-3 received...were all told that these multiple promises were ‘conditional’ and would be given to those who ‘overcame’? Yep, you can study that out for yourself if you like...’to them who overcome...I will give’...

One thing I have made clear about this walk of faith and ‘abiding in Jesus’...it does not exempt you from being ‘tempted’. Yes, the Spirit of God leads us to ‘put to death’ all the fleshly deeds/works of our carnal nature’ (Rom. 8:13), but then we are also told we will have our hearts ‘tested’ to make sure we are still following Him (Deut. 8:2; 1 Thess. 2:4). And failing that test can lead to some serious problems (Matt. 12:43-45).

James goes on to also clarify an important fact when it comes to being ‘tempted’....warning us ‘brethren to be not deceived...’ (1:16)... “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:13-15)

Jesus was not kidding when He admonished us to ‘go and sin no more lest something worse happen to you’ (John 5:14). I know many of the things that Jesus taught can be challenging to process, let alone accept; but you might want to take another look at Luke 13:1-5 again as well.

What James is sharing here with us is pretty much a ‘play by play’ overview as to how the enemy works, and it would be the same enemy we are admonished to be on watch for and guard against (1 Pet 5:8-9; Matt. 24:42-44). Were you aware that a true ‘believer’ can be ‘enticed and drawn away’? Maybe that’s why we are told to “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest we drift away’ (Heb. 2:1).

I know...many of you have been taught that a ‘true believer’ can’t do that, ‘fall away’; and if they do...then “they really weren’t a true believer to begin with”. Friends...that is nothing but a flimsy play using deceptive words... cooked up in the pit of hell. “Has God really said....you shall surely die?” (Gen.. 3:1; 2:17). Yep...He most surely did (Rom. 8:13).

How much more plain spoken could James be there? – “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death” (1:15; Rom. 6:23)

So identify an area that you know God has truly set you free and/or delivered you from; this does not mean you won’t be tempted from time to time in this area. Remember, that ‘unclean spirit that went out from that man...came back seeking refuge in the ‘house’ from which it was evicted from’ (Matt. 12:43-45) which is probably why Jesus uses a similar word picture in Matt. 24:42-44.

How are we to respond in these times of testing? Well, to begin with, James told us up front: ‘count it all joy’. This...is an opportunity for us to demonstrate to God that we truly love Him more...than we love...’self-pity’ or jealousy or pride or gossip or complaining or sexual immorality...etc. And we should also make note that we are not dealing with ‘flesh and blood’....but what, according to Eph. 6:12? Now here comes the ‘good news’- God does not expect you to fight this battle on your own. Truth be told, we are reminded that the ‘battle is not ours, but His’ (2 Chron. 20:15). And all we have to do in these times...is to ‘stand...and stand therefore’ (Eph.6:13-14). Oh...and also...'resist'...(James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9)

And...did I mention something about this ‘cross’ we are all told to take up and carry daily’? Yeah...these times of testing are another opportunity to ‘die to self’ or ‘put this old man to death’...in any particular area that God is dealing with you on; and I should also remind you that you won’t pass this test or overcome this enemy...outside of the grace of God working in and through you. (Eph. 2:8; Titus 2:11-14). But don’t worry because there is an unlimited amount of grace made available to those who will ‘humble themselves’ during these times of testing, by admitting you need it (James 4:7; Rom. 5:20-6:2). And all one needs to do is to ‘approach the throne of grace with confidence to obtain mercy and grace in our time of need’ (Heb. 4:16). After all...do we not have a High Priest who was tempted in every area that we were (and did not sin)...and He is more than willing to come to our aid and help in our time of temptation. (Heb. 4:15; 2:18)

I should also forewarn you that during these times of testing, as you stand on God’s word and promises...that there will be some ‘suffering in the flesh’ as we resist the devil and die to self. But it won’t be as bad as the suffering Jesus endured for us (Heb. 12:4). Now here’s the good news: When we truly “arm ourselves with the same mindset that Jesus had...and suffer in the flesh’...guess what the result is? We will no longer sin so that we can in turn, do the will of God!’ (1 Pet. 4:1-2). [I sure hope you are looking up all these verses.]  And ‘after you have suffered a little while...the God of all grace will then come and establish, strengthen...and perfect you...” (1 Pet. 5:10). In other words, during those times of testing/temptation...God will give you just enough grace to enable you to stand and overcome as you resist the enemy...but there will be a little bit of suffering (in the flesh) that takes place. But victory is on the way, my dear friends. I know this to be true!

And here all this time...we just thought if we went to church regularly, read our three Bible chapters a day...and quoted 1 John 4:4 when we needed it...that all would be well in our world.

Welcome to the war...and the promised victory to those who ‘endure till the end’ (Matt. 24:13)