Difference between Testings and Temptations (James 1)

What is the difference between testings and temptations found in James Chapter 1?

Testings

Verses 2-4 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Verse 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he

will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Temptations

Verses 13-15 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Testings in our lives will draw us closer to God, because in testings, our attention are drawn towards Him. C.S. Lewis says "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." The answer to the problem of pain is that we are works in progress, being made lovable by a God who loves us even when we are not yet lovable. Says Lewis, "If the world is indeed a 'vale of soul making' it seems on the whole to be doing its work."

Whereas, temptations draw us away from God, causing us ultimately to sin. God will never tempt us, but He will test us. The difference is this, as David Pawson puts it, "You test people in the hope that they will pass the test, but you tempt them hoping they will fail."

We can be facing the exact same situation but our response can determine whether it is a test or a temptation. My son a few months ago met with a minor car accident, for which he admitted was his fault. Being a probationary licence holder, this accident would cost him 10 out of the 12 demerit points which he would have over the two years. If he looses all his 12 points, it would mean he would have to sit his driving test all over again, meaning to push the reset button and start over.

At the police station, a carrot was offered to him for the law enforcer to look the other way. At that point in time, this situation can either become a test or a temptation. In some sense, my wife and I can pat each other's back and say "Well done!", as our son's first instinct was to live with his mistake rather than with a guilt conscience. He was taught well by the Lord to reject this form of sin, and we are so proud of him. We paid the RM 300 fine and he lost 10 demerit points. Which means he cannot afford to make any more mistake but he lives with a clear conscience and a maturing heart. I believe he had a choice on that day. He could have been seduced by temptation and take the easy way out by paying less than the fine and still maintain the 12 demerit points. Or he take the inconvenient way and walk away in peace (and a more careful driver from that day on!)

How can we differentiate testings and temptation? How do we respond rightly to a situation? The answer can be found in James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Spiritual wisdom helps us in that area. This is a wisdom different from human wisdom which is attained by normal life experiences. Spiritual wisdom is more than that. It is a wisdom that in the midst of challenging times, we cry out to God for wisdom to handle the situation and He will give it to us generously. This reminds me how often I try to use human wisdom. This by itself is not wrong. But how often we rob ourselves of a higher godly wisdom! Foolish man that I am! Stop struggling and look to God for this heavenly wisdom. Just remember to ask Him!

Book of James - Some thoughts

Here are some throughts from "Unlocking the Bible" by David Pawson on the book of James (for those who may be too lazy to read that chapter) :-)

There are two particular difficulties in studying Scripture.

1. Mental difficulty: you don't understand what you are reading.

2. Moral difficulty: when you do understand it, that is in its applications.

James is the book that is the easiest to understand because he spells out what needs done. But it is the hardest to undertake.

There are five James in the New Testament. This James is the half brother of Jesus. James was one of four half-brothers, together with a number of sisters (we don't know how many), formed the family circle. You may not be aware too that at least five, or possibly seven, of the twelve apostles were Jesus' cousins, which explains why so many of them were present at a private wedding in Cana in Galilee (See John chapter 2). Would be strange for them to turn up uninvited unless they are relatives!

Even so, Jesus had tension with the rest of the family. At one time, they had to take Him home (Mark 3:21), thinking he was out of his mind. His own brothers did not believe Him (John7:3-5). Can you imagine James (and Jude) becoming writers of the New Testament in spite of their earlier teasing? How history would re-arrange itself in later years and our Lord vindicated.

The key contents of the letter of James are:

• Wealth
• The tongue
• The World
• Wisdom

There are some difficulties in this letter, key one being the apparent contradiction of justification by faith (in particular book of Romans) versus justification by works.

James 2:24 (NIV) You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

Romans 3:28 (NIV) For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

James does not mention key events, such as Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension, or the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It seems to be about doing good deeds only.

Even the Protestant reformer Martin Luther said he was disgusted with the letter, that it contained nothing evangelical and failed to show Christ. Christ is only mentioned twice in the whole letter. When he translated the Bible, he puts James in an appendix at the end, together with Hebrews, Jude and Revelation. He didn't quite have the courage to cut it right out, but he shifted it out of the main text.

The contradiction can be dealt with if we understand the context by which Paul and James was writing. Paul was writing to the Gentiles and James to the Jewish believers. Paul was defending Gentiles from Jewish legalism, while James was defending Jews from Gentile licence (excessive freedom). The word 'works' have different meanings here. Paul writes of the works of the Law, while James writes of the works of faith, that is actions. What James is saying is, 'Faith without actions is dead.' He is not commenting about the works of the Law. He used an illustration in James 2:14-18 about deeds of kindness for someone who is cold and hungry. James is saying that faith is not something you profess. You have got to show you believe in Jesus by carrying it out.

So with Paul and James, God is giving us two different angles on this crucial issue so that we get it in balance and get the whole truth.

Legalism says we are saved by works; licence says we are saved without works; but liberty (the Christian position) says we are saved for works, but they are good works, works of love.

Even Paul, the apparent champion of justification by faith, says in Ephesians 2:8-10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

So we are not saved by good deeds, but we are saved for good deeds, and we will be judged by our deeds.

Legalism says, "We are going to make sure that you are not free to sin, by making rules and regulations."

Licence says, "We are free to sin."

Liberty says, "We are free not to sin."

WELL SAID! I look forward to discover many more gems in James.

James 4:1-17 (13 Sep 09) Being Theocentric

Today's reading brings out glaringly the self-centredness of the human soul.

Every issue of our life starts from within us.

• Coveteousness - "What causes fights and quarrels from among you? (v1) Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want." (v1,2)
• Self-reliance - "You do not have, because you do not ask God." (v2)
• Wrong motives - "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (v3)
• Friendship with the world - we are called adulterous people (v4)
• Double-mindedness (v8)
• Boast and brag about our life (v16)

The human soul is very self-centred and selfish. We think about ourselves all the time. Two theological terms:

(a) Theo-centric - "Theo" means "God", therefore God-centred

(b) Anthropo-centric - "Anthropo" means "Human", therefore Human-centred

It is obvious here that Apostle James cautioned us against being anthropocentric, thinking of our own desires and pleasures all the time, forging a friendship with the world. He exhorts us to be theo-centric: Ask God (look to God) (v2), submit to God (v7), come near to God (v8) and if it is the Lord's will (v15).

If you are still unaware of your own anthropocentricity, ler me ask you, how often have you been to church, worship, read the Bible or pray, and find yourself really asking the question "What's in for me?" If you don't believe me on this, ask again how often have you come to a worship celebration and find yourself saying "Worship not so good today. Didn't lift my spirit up. Or saying "bad song choice" or when doing your Bible readings saying "I didn't get anything for myself today." Is worship dependent on what songs we sing, how well the musicians perform, or is it dependent on the greatness and awesomeness of God? Is the success of Bible reading dependent on getting something out for myself, or just the pleasure of discovering something about God? It is simply that He deserves my worship and adoration, even when things don't go my way according to my perspective.

That's why Apostle James said we ask with wrong motives that we may spend what we get on our own pleasures!

Let's move our thoughts more towards God rather than ourselves. This is all part of our growing up from a child to a young man and then to a father. (1 John 2:12-14). As a child we think only of ourselves. As a young man, we begin to develop a self awareness of the battle raging within and without us, as we mature through the Word of God. But the father knows the Heavenly Father's heart and will, therefore operate from revelation (our Lord Jesus lived his life by perfect divine revelation everyday) and a deep connectedness to the heart of the Father.

Let's cast aside anthropocentricity and become more and more theocentric. Let's take personal responsibity over our life to correct our path. "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This puts us in correct perspective of the temporal nature of our life on earth. Less of being egocentric and more christocentric. I think you can figure out what these two words mean, right? :)