May 4 – James 1:1-8
The Testing of Faith
Trials are designed to produce spiritual maturity in us and should therefore be counted as joy. Trials test faith. Trials exist for our spiritual formation to become more like Jesus and are part of the “good gifts” God gives his children in order to make them whole (v.17). When trials occur, one should count it all joy—not meaning mere worldly, temporal happiness, but rather spiritual, enduring, “complete joy” in the Lord who is sovereign over all things, including trials.
Testing of your faith defines the meaning of a trial for the Christian: as Jesus was “tested” in the wilderness (see Matthew 4:1-13), so believers are tested. The Greek dokimion (“testing”) means a positive test intended to make one’s faith “genuine”. The result is endurance, a life of faithful endurance amid troubles and afflictions. Endurance leads ultimately to perfection. Believers grow in holiness but are not yet perfected in it; such perfection will be realized only when Jesus returns.
We all need wisdom and help from God to endure in the midst of trials. But how? Where do we find the strength to endure when we feel so disoriented in our trials? James tells us that if we lack wisdom that God is ready to generously give us the wisdom needed to live faithfully in the midst of trials. Followers of Jesus are to have an undivided faith, asking for wisdom from our ever-wise and all-generous God.
Wisdom, as in the OT, is a God-given and God-centered discernment regarding the practical issues in life. Wisdom comes from prayer for God’s help. God gives generously (with “single-minded” liberality) and without reproach (he does not want anyone to hesitate to come to him).
We are to ask in faith. Faith is a settled trust and confidence in God, based on his character and promises as revealed in Scripture. We are to ask without doubting. Doubting here means to ebb and flow between trusting God and trusting the world or one’s own natural abilities. This makes a person like a wave of the sea, a picture of instability and uncertainty.
James says a person who doubts God’s goodness dishonors him. Such a person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is unsure whether God is good or will do good. He is a double-minded person, that is, in “two minds,” torn between God and the world, and is therefore unstable in all his ways.
Discussion questions
– Could someone read James 1:1-8 for us?
– What stands out to you in the passage?
– What fears and concerns arise in your heart when you consider God’s call to consider it a joy whenever you experience various trials?
– A follower of Jesus is to expect trouble and have deep joy even in the face of them. According to this passage, why is this so?
– Consider this definition: “A trial is anything presented to us in life that on the one hand may cause us to disobey or disbelieve God or, on the other, may confirm us in obedience and belief and strengthen our character.” What insight does that definition give you as to what is going on when you face trials?
– Why is prayer so important when facing troubles and trials? What does verse 5 tell us about the character of God?
– What is the nature and character of the doubt James addresses in verses 6-8? How is this doubt different from legitimate doubt?
– What have you found to be effective ways to deal with double-mindedness (v.8) in your life?
– What trial are you facing now where you need strength to persevere? Take time to pray for one another in these areas.