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.....

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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

James' letter is full of practical advice of how a Christian should live their life. His comments apply today as they did 2,000 years ago. He has a very positive attitude to the difficulties of life. This is no academic theologian, we can see that he has suffered from many of them. He does not blame God for problems that occur, but he knows where to turn for advice and help. We might say that he sets out to find what are God's standards and to try and live these out in his life. Ultimately he puts his faith into practice.

If we look at one of James' subjects - templation! He doesn't say, "Blessed is anyone who is never tempted." Nor does he say, "Blessed is anyone who finds temptation easy to conquer." Instead he says the gift of God's blessing is given to the person who endures temptation, that is to the person who fights it with all their might. When we are tempted by something - to tell a lie; to take something that is not ours; to lose our temper; to do some wrong action rather than stand up for what is right; or to be totally selfish - yet we fight the temptation - we are not just saying "No" to the temptation, we are actually saying "Yes" to God.

When we endure temptation our faith is strengthened, and we are drawn closer to God, who rewards us with His blessing.

Lord God,
You know we are tempted each day
to say or do things that are wrong,
and that we often take the easiest way
and give in to the temptation.
Give us the strength to fight
wrong impulses,
and to think, say, or do what is right.
Draw us closer to You as we struggle,
and bless our endeavours.
Amen.