Make Sense of Your Troubles: James 1:2-20

More and more these days, people are talking about troubles and difficulties in their lives, especially with reference to the economy and the uncertainty of the future. We are bombarded from every side with bad news and dire predictions. All this bad news is in addition to the normal problems of difficult and failing family relationships, health issues, and the stresses of contemporary life. Often I hear the complaint, “Why did this happen – especially why did it happen to me? Why this? Why now?”

The Bible’s answer to these questions lies in understanding these few verse in the Epistle of James.

I don’t mean to be simplistic, but the core of the answer to questions about troubles lies here. In these verses – James 1:2-20 – there are two basic Greek words used that are translated in some variation of the words “trial,” “tempt,” or “test.” In their connotation, these words are essentially neutral. One of the Greek words is used to describe a trial or experiment as a test of strength or condition, especially a test of loyalty, fidelity, or virtue. The meaning is also extended to the adversity of such a test. The other word that James uses means, “that by which something is tried or proved, a test.” So both words focus on the testing / trial aspect of the problems we encounter.

All of nature is the province and dominion of our Sovereign God. He rules and determines the course of nature and the events that result. I do not have space or time to elaborate on that truth, but everything else I have to say comes from the understanding that God is sovereign in all the affairs of our lives.

For the believer in Jesus Christ, the problems we face come or arise for one of four reasons or a combination of these four reasons.

1. To reward us for righteousness

What I am talking about here is persecution for righteous living not gaining an earthly reward of material blessings, wealth, and physical happiness! Jesus included this truth in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:10-12 instructs us that we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. The disciples understood this and spoke of their joy because they saw persecution as God’s reward for their worthiness (Acts 5:41, 2 Thessalonians 1:5).

2. To direct our service

Sometimes God brings difficult, unpleasant, or painful events into our lives to direct or redirect our course and choices. Paul’s experience at Troas is a classic example (Acts 16:6-10). The Lord often closes opportunities or raises difficulties in order to keep us from a decision we are contemplating and to cause us to do something else as a means of accomplishing His purpose in our lives.

3. To chastise or correct our behavior / the consequence of our choices

The writer of Hebrews specifically stated that believers experience the chastening of the Lord for their misbehavior (Hebrews 12:5-7; see also Proverbs 3:11-12, Numbers 32:23). We should be so sensitive spiritually that when troubles come, we immediately search our hearts to be certain that we have no sin for which the Lord is chastising us. This attitude was the motivation for David’s prayer for God to search his heart to find any wickedness (Psalm 139:23-24).

I would not be so bold as to say that all of our choices which cause problems are therefore sinful choices. In the normal course of living, we all make choices that lead to consequences that turn out bad. So, in this category, we must also include the natural consequences of choices we have made. Many times the troubles in which we find ourselves are the logical result of these bad choices. This can be especially true with our financial decisions and our choices for friendships and relationships.

4. To prove our spiritual endurance

Often the trouble we find ourselves facing seems to come for no particular reason we can see. Some examples of these troubles are natural disasters, or the result of what we call accidents, or even decisions made by someone else over which we have no control. The trial or testing of our faith is the main thrust of the text we are examining in James 1:2-20. As was stated earlier, the words James used for testing or temptation all contain the element of a test to prove our spiritual strength and condition. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states clearly that the Lord already knows our true strength and capacity for the test, and He will not stress us beyond our ability to withstand the situation. The obvious question is, “Who, then, is the proof of the test for?” That question has only one logical answer – my test is for me. The tests I face are to prove to myself my own spiritual endurance (James 1:2-4; see my blog postings for December 22, 2008 and January 1, 2009)

Now, given these four kinds / causes for trials and testing in the believer’s life, I still haven’t answered the question “Why?” In the heart of this discussion in James is verse 5: But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (NASB). Remember this verse lies entirely within the context of trials in verse 2 and temptation in verses 12 and 13. God does not usually answer the question “Why?” He did not directly answer this question for Job and he probably won’t for you or me, but he does promise an answer to the question, “What should I do now?” That is the essence of wisdom – wisdom is “the ability to make right choices.” Each one of these four kinds of testing demands a response from us in both our attitude and in actions.

When we answer the question, “What now?” with faith and obedience to the Word of God, that is the proof our spiritual growth and endurance, and that the outcome of testing that the Lord desires.

If I am going to be deliberately Christian, I will face my trials and troubles with anticipation, with determination to be obedient to God's Word, with humility, and with joy!

Enjoying Your Troubles Yet?

James 1:2-3 “Count it all joy.”

This opening statement, “count it all joy,” is curious in its abrupt introduction of a problem. That problem is not stated, but seems to be understood – at least in the minds of the initial readers. What is the “it” that is to be counted as joy? That perhaps is the wrong way to ask the question, but the context and the Greek point to the next phrase / clause as the center of James’ discussion. The Greek words are in this order: “All joy count, brethren of mine, when your fall….” The “it” we should count as joy is that occasion when we fall into trials.

The Greek verb “count” is the key to understanding James’ meaning and emphasis. It is the word ἡγέομαι / hegeomai. According to Strong/Thayer, it is in a family of synonyms in Greek which “denote a belief resting not on one’s inner feelings or sentiments, but on the due consideration of external grounds, the weighing and comparing of facts.”

The central issue that James is addressing is the disparity between the appearance of certain circumstances which cause us pain or misfortune and the spiritual reality of those same circumstances. This appearance is contrary to the underlying reality that we should know and always consider -- that reality is the sovereign goodness of Almighty God.

Essentially, James reminds us first and foremost that we must force our minds away from impulsive, personal, and emotional reactions to events and consider those events a source of joy by firmly resting in the reality of God’s goodness and sovereignty.

Look at this interesting word in verse 2 – “temptation” (KJV), “trial” (NKJV, NASB). This word comes from the metallurgy industry, or that is where it has a clear application. The Greek word is πειρασμός – peirasmos. It is used to describe the testing of something to prove its strength. So it follows that when used to describe personal testing it is to prove ones character, fidelity, faith, and holiness. In this case, James states in verse three that the trial is to prove by testing (Gk. δοκίμιον – dokimion verse 3) the genuineness of one’s faith.

Dr. MacArthur’s comment: “Every trial becomes a test of faith designed to strengthen; if a believer fails the test by wrongly responding, that test becomes a temptation, or a solicitation for evil.”

As we look at the testing, perhaps we should also recognize the intensity of this situation. James uses the Greek word that is a combination of a prefix that means "around" and a verb that means "to fall." The result of this combination is a word that describes to fall among and be surrounded by. James is describing those situations where the trouble seems to surround and engulf us. It's as if we have fallen into some great pit from which there seems no escape.

Here is my thought. These tests are the situations that we all encounter when the problem surrounds us, and our natural response is to feel overwhelmed. Some problems and difficult events pass without great concern and we take them as routine and part of life because our strength of faith is not threatened, but James is speaking of those things that are a true crisis. These are the tests that bring us close to the “breaking point” of our faith. In those cases, true faith produces patience.

Note these words:

“produces” (“worketh” KJV) – Gk. κατεργάζομαι – katergazomai. This is an emphatic word that means to perform or accomplish.

“patience” – Gk. ὑπομονή - hypomonē. Strong translates this word as “steadfastness, constancy, endurance.”

So it follows that one’s tested faith is seen in one’s patience, steadfastness, constancy, and endurance.

Having said all that, what does this kind of close-to-the-breaking-point testing have to do with joy?

I was hoping you would ask…. That is the issue James answers in these and the following verses.

What from this passage applies to me today? Am I headed for a trial of my patience? Am I headed for a personal test of my faith in Thy sovereignty and goodness? O, my Lord, You know I am at heart a coward when it comes to such trials. I do not ask to be spared, for in my heart I know that you work all things for Your glory and good. So, I put my hand to my mouth and say no more.