Count it all joy to fall into temptations

Count it all joy to fall into temptations

James 1: 2, 3

² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

³ Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

None of us would like to fall into temptations or endure testing. Even if there is an indication that enduring temptation makes us more refined and yield good results, we usually avoid or try our best to avoid falling into temptation. And James is talking about falling into diverse temptations, which he says is to be counted ‘ALL JOY’. What a funny statement, one would suppose..? 

But, there is so much behind this statement, if we understand why. To understand this, we need wisdom. We need someone who can divide the word and explain us. 

We depend on many preachers, some of whom are moved by the HOLY SPIRIT, but some preach in terms of worldly knowledge and their own understanding. If we are instructed by a man of GOD moved by HOLY SPIRIT, that will bring us good things and blessings in our life, else we remain in the same burdens, problems and sicknesses without deliverance. 

We most importantly need the help of HOLY SPIRIT to guide us and help us to discern the word and give us understanding. So first of all, pray earnestly that GOD should bless us with instruction and understanding. That GOD should bless us with wisdom.

Every faith person will be tested. A child preparing for an exam will have fear of the test if child is not prepared. More often, child likes to pass the test without preparation. But is this possible? No. But if the child is prepared for the test, then child is ready any time to take the test and does not have any fear. In the same way, a person who is prepared for test does not have fear and joyfully steps forward. In what way, the person has to be prepared for the test? By always trusting in the LORD, recognize that the LORD is a never failing GOD, to be trusted at all times and building up this faith by loads and loads, achieved by continuous reading of the word of GOD and prayer. Getting instructed daily will never allow fear to enter our minds and keeps us close to GOD. We will never feel the pinch of fear when we are prepared. This is because word of GOD drives away fear from us and makes us strong in faith. Word of GOD will shield us from satan - trying to throw the weapon of fear at us. 

When we are strong in faith, whatever the problem is, we will look at the mountain (problem) and throw it (command it) into the sea in the name of JESUS. Why ‘Sea’? Because anything thrown into the sea will never rise up or come back. Once we have done our part, remember Battle is the LORD’s. The LORD says Battle is mine, and not yours, so that we can rest in peace.

Falling into diverse temptations and trials makes our faith strong and gives joy in our hearts that we are given the test. Be it a small test or a big test, we need to acquire patience to conquer the problem through trial, test and temptation.

GOD has already given us victory over the problem. We need to understand this before pondering upon any critical situation or problem. 

Problem will perfect our faith in GOD. To the world, problems are upon the heads of the persons facing them, but to us in CHRIST, they are under our feet.

If we are in fear or still fearing, that means we are lacking wisdom and knowledge.  We should ask GOD to give us wisdom, not once but continuously. 

James 1: 4, 5

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.

When we ask we should not waver regarding receiving wisdom but we should trust GOD. HE gives liberally to all those who seek wisdom.

James 1: 6

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.

Wisdom solves problems.

We should ask wisdom when we are sick so that we can bind satan in JESUS name.

We should ask wisdom when we are in problems so that we can bind the problem in JESUS name.

We should ask wisdom when we are in debt or loss or financial problem so that we can bind it in JESUS name.

We get wealth, health, peace – every good thing - when we have wisdom. 

Are our problems taking longer time to get solved? Is the answer delaying?

We should not worry because GOD is preparing much more than we asked or expected. HIS delay makes the answer sweeter and brings more bliss. There is purpose for HIS delay which we may not perceive but if we could understand that we should wait patiently to receive HIS blessing in abundance then we will stay calm waiting for the goodness of GOD to take its shape, and without fear.

We should pray without faltering. We should pray without fainting. We should pray without ceasing.  

Luke 18: 1 – 5

¹ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

² Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

³ And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

⁴ And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

⁵ Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

Widow is one who does not have enough money even to feed herself and her family properly. (In these days, at least women have more freedom, but in the days of CHRIST, they had many hardships and a widow had even more problems financially and mentally.) She wouldn’t have money to pay any fees to the judge who takes up her case. She is seeking justice. Unless she is confident about her right to justice, she would not be so stubborn to approach the judge so many times. With perseverance, she approached the judge every day.  The judge on the contrary is a man who would have regard neither to man nor GOD, which clearly indicates that HE is not a man of values. He knew he cannot expect any money for his services from the widow. He would have surely respected and taken up her case if she had given him money. 

But he had to give in to the persistence of the woman because he must have lost patience seeing her every day seeking justice from him. This can surely affect his name and fame among the public. He was finally overcome by the widow’s determination and decides to avenge her adversary. 

Luke 18: 6 - 8

⁶ And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

⁷ And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

⁸ I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

If the unjust judge got weary of the widow’s cry for justice and hastened to do her work, then how much more our heavenly father who is a just GOD will hasten to answer our prayer and our cry, for we are HIS chosen elect. Though HE bears long with us, it is for our refinement and to bring a more stable ‘faith person’ out of us. The long bearing will yield patience in us and the result would be more refreshing to our souls. 

Brother Shyam Kishore in his testimony said that he endured many years in waiting, for GOD’s word to use him for HIS service. HE saw JESUS coming to him, giving him a leaf and promising him how he would be preaching and healing many in the days to come. JESUS also showed how cancer patients will be healed by changing the discolored color of the leaf to its original color. But Bro. Shyam Kishore had to wait for 11 to 12 years for the call from JESUS to start ministry. He many times felt he may not be called for HIS service and so finally started pursuing his career. It was at that time when he was about to get settled, JESUS called him for to start ministry. Bro. Shyam Kishore in the beginning feared, regarding how many years he may have to wait for getting a good number of people to attend his church, looking at the state of all churches. But after starting, the response is huge and JESUS started healing all kinds of patients, remove all kinds of problems and deliver persons from their bindings. What he thought could have been a waste of time for 12 years turned out to have exceeded all limits with thousands of people thronging his premises wherever he preaches. The result is too good to believe after waiting.

Finally, JESUS is warning Christians that law is blinding the minds of people and is the cause for crumbling faith, the result bringing no answer to the prayers of Christians.

2 Corinthians 3: 14 - 17

¹⁴ But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [veil] is done away in Christ.

¹⁵ But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.

¹⁶ Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.

¹⁷ Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty.

The Old Testament should be used as a reference to behold the beauty of the New Testament. Old Testament’s law is the shadow; New Testament’s grace is true and original.

May the true LORD grant each and every one of us reading and meditating upon HIS word, grace and wisdom to understand and perceive HIS word.