Divers Temptations Turned Into Gold

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King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]

Date: Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Chapters: THE BOOK OF JAMES
Message: Divers Temptations Turned Into Gold

Hello My Friend,

Did you ever have one of those days when you stumble over your words? I had such a hard time reading these chapters, my mind knew what to say, but the words were not coming out. I must have spent one hour on one paragraph, but it did not help that my mind has been pulled in several directions. It all started when I was at work Monday, I was feeling sick that day, but went to work for fear of losing my job, as if they would miss me anyway. In fact, out of my whole department only two people asked about me when I was out the week my mother was in the hospital. Let me tell you, it does not matter how good you are at your job or whatever it is that you do, we all feel like a number sometimes and like we do not even matter. We must remember that we are not a number to God, we are His, well, if we are saved by the grace of God through our faith in His Son.

[Matthew 6:25-26  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?]

The Book of James contains five chapters, this epistle (letter) was written by James, Jesus’ brother as would be in the flesh, mentioned with Joses, Simon and Judah, and often in the Acts of the apostles. It is known as the general epistle because it was not addressed to a particular church. The purpose of the letter was to comfort believers who were undergoing trials for their faith. What we are to learn from the book is that faith is the foundation of our works, but faith without works is dead, [James 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.]

Yesterday, we read about Peter telling the people at Antioch to relay to James what had happened when he was rescued from the prison by the angel that took him out. Today, we read about the letter that James had written to the Christian Jews who were scattered all over the world out of fear. James, begins the letter with a pretty interesting take on persecution and how we are to actually count it as something to be joyful about.

[James 1:1-8  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.  2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  5  If 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.  6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.]

[count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;] Remember what divers temptations are? These are not temptations to sin, but a testing of our faith, or rather more like our faithfulness through the persecutions and tribulations that seem to keep coming one after another. So, are we going to trust God when life puts us as they say between a rock and a hard place? I am in tears as I read this because I was just asking God to help me make a decision to either take a leap of faith or attempt to hold on to my earthly security. The key to taking that leap of faith though lies in these six words, [But let him ask in faith].

We must have faith in our faith in God, otherwise that faith really does cause us to be unstable in our ways as we would be no better than the Israelites who wanted to run back to Egypt every time they hit an obstacle. The Holy Spirit will show us what we need to do, but we just need to trust in His judgment, and not question everything He tells us to do. James, goes on to remind us that there is a fine line between divers temptations and the temptation to sin when we do not trust what the Holy Spirit tells us to do.

[James 1:12-15,21-24  Blessed 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.  13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.]

[and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.] Oh my goodness, this hit me like a ton of bricks today as it reminds me of when I risked two years of my testimony when I did not trust the Holy Spirit when He was telling me to turn my car back upon meeting who would become my ex. When those divers temptations get the best of us and we think that our judgment is better than God’s that is when we fall into sin. You see, the temptation to sin only becomes prominent when it is in our heart to begin with, [Matthew 15:19-20  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  20  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.]

I will be honest and say that the reason I fell into sin from my divers temptations was because the work I was doing for God was unstable. I was serving at a church when Covid was rampant and everything was closed, my heart just took a turn to my own reasoning instead of God’s. Let me tell you, we need to be around Godly people in order to safeguard our heart, we also must learn to be a Godly friend, without respect of persons.

[James 2:8-13  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:  9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.  10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  11  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.  12  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.  13  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.]

[But if ye have respect to persons,] Having respect of persons is treating some people differently in regards to the rules then enforcing them on others, regardless of what law we are following. A perfect example is where I work, while my job is in jeopardy for calling out with good reason, others can hold on to there’s because they like them more. Sin, death, and hell are definitely no respecter of persons, we are all subject to this, and while salvation does not stop one from sin, it does stop one’s soul from death and hell should we accept Christ. Jesus, is no respecter of persons, but He will deny those who deny Him, [Matthew 10:32-33  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  33  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.]

[and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.] Just as God has mercy on those who come to Him for mercy, we are to exact that same mercy on our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as well as those in the world as well. How are we going to lead the lost to Christ if we cannot get along and are merciless to each other. And that Law of liberty works both ways, if we are merciful to others God will be merciful to us, [Luke 6:35-36  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.  36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.]

I was talking with my husband about regret and said to him that I can honestly say that I do not have any regrets because even in my times when I lacked better judgment I learned something from it as it drew closer to Jesus. Believe it or not, even our falls have a purpose as they are what teach us that we are under the mercy and grace of God even when we were at our worst state. For lack of better words, I can say something similar to what Paul said in that, “God saves sinners of whom I am chief.”, and be reminded that nothing I do by faith goes unnoticed with God. In fact, we come to that famous quote, “Faith without works is dead!”

[James 2:15-20,26  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.]

[notwithstand,41-42ing ye give them not those things] This actually goes back to something that Jesus said, [Matthew 25:32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:]. While our works have nothing to do with our salvation they do help us one; maintain our faith and two; guide others in their faith, [Titus 3:8-9  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.  9  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.]

[so faith without works is dead also.] Our faith in Christ and our works through Him go hand in hand as the work we do increases our faith as we a blessed then learn to maintain those good works through divers temptations. You see, we may fall from time to time, but we are not to remain there, we need to get back up and move forward, well, with Christ leading the way. If we try to get back up on our own we will without a doubt keep falling back down, but if we let Him take us by the hand, He will get us back up and help us stand, [Romans 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.]

All saved, born again Christians can expect to endure many tests of their faith, but the genuineness of their calling will be manifest by their faithfulness to God through divers temptations. We are not always going to do what is right in God’s eyes, but we must never forget that God is merciful to forgive us and what we must never do is condemn those whom have fallen while we seek to be justified.

[James 3:1-2,5-6,9-10  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  2  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 9  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  10  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.]

[be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.] Do you know the saying, “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians.”? That is what comes to mind here. Everyone wants to be the critic and tell each other what we ought to be doing, but this is actually why Jesus said that not to judge anyone unless you want to be judged, [Luke 6:37  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:]

As Christians, we cannot avoid divers temptations, and as much as we would like for God to intervene at all times, He will not stop someone’s freewill. We have to realize that the things we go through are not necessarily punishment from God, they are to give us to get wisdom and a deeper understanding of Him. This is why we need to be careful of not only what we say, but how we live.

[James 3:13-17  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.]

[there is confusion and every evil work.] Let me tell you, it is bad enough dealing with divers temptations, but when we see others getting the things we desire, and even worse our enemies, it can lead to confusion. It can also bring us to become bitter, and have strife toward them, which is why it is better to just stay humble.

[James 4:5-11  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?  6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  11  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.]

[Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.] This is where our divers temptations originate from, and it is God who allows the devil to send them. Do you know why? Because God knows our faith. Remember what God told Satan when He allowed him to send divers temptations to Job? [Job 1:8  And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?]

Keep in mind that God only allowed Satan to afflict Job, not kill him, while Satan can oppress us, he cannot touch our soul. God, sees all His faithful the same way. So, instead of fretting about things that we have no control over or getting angry at seeing those who are not living right getting what they want, have some faith. As we walk by faith, and continue doing the work God called us to do we will see God do some amazing things in our lives. Above all, be patient, God, has never failed us before and He will not fail us, and as for those whom have enjoyed their season of guilt free living they will get what is coming to them.

[James 5:1-2,5-8,11-12  Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.  2  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 5  Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.  6  Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.  7  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.  8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 11  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.  12  But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.]

[that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.] The older I get the more precious time becomes, and I do not want to waste it on things that have no value, I want the rest of my days to count for something. We cannot put off things we are supposed to be doing today for tomorrow, as we have no guarantees for tomorrow. Of course, we make plans for the future, and it is good to do so, but we must take care of now. Do what you have to do, stop wasting life waiting for that one thing to happen, live for today, doing the things that God wants you to do and you will come forth as gold, [Job 23:9-10  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:  10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.]

Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You, for Your mercy, grace, forgiveness, patience, and longsuffering as You teach us that while we are to be in the world, we are to remain unspotted. It can be so difficult to keep going when faced with affliction, but You can give us the strength to keep going no matter what we are facing. Lord, give us Your power, grace, love, comfort, and the peace we need to keep going. Increase our faith in You, help our unbelief, and let us not forget all You have have blessed us with, even the little things, and the blessings You have waiting for us as we endure these trials. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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