Thoughts for the Day

Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved.

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We have seen in 'James: 1' that things that would appear to be bad for us, like being persecuted for our faith can be pathways to God's blessings, and that they can strengthen our faith and trust in God. In this the second part of Chapter 1 his introduction to the letter continues by looking at those things that tempt us. Just as persecution can cause us to sin, so can temptation. That's because in any difficult situation not just our faith is tested, but also our human body and mind is tempted. We should remember that God will test our faith, but He will never make us do something that is evil, that's the work of the devil. Like a baited hook to catch a fish, we often see the bait but not the hook! In every trial or temptation there will come both the possibility to sin or to re-affirm our faith, but which shall we choose?

James introduces three little phrases, that he will expound on in greater detail later. He says "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger". When we feel that life is difficult, for whatever reason, we should take these to heart:

• We must be quick to tune into God's word - immediately turning to God in humility.
• We must be slow to complain - for this can lead to the sin of judging others.
• We must be slow to anger - for this can lead to the sin of self-pity, or blaming God.

God sometimes allows such trials with the intention of refining our faith, to slowly begin to change us into the image of Christ. Every temptation or trial is to lead from 'thinking' to 'doing'. We are to be 'doers of the word'.

Today let us remember christians that we know, who despite their trials, do these three things, and who have inspired our faith to grow.

Heavenly Father,
when life seems unbearable
and out of control,
may we be assured of Your presence
in the turmoil and temptation.
Give us the strength to keep faith in You,
not giving in to temptation,
but growing in confidence and faith.
May we look back and see Your hand
in times of tribulation,
and continue to trust in You.
Amen.