A Different Kind of Test: James 1.1-18

James, the author of this letter, is the half-brother of Jesus. Mary was mother to both Jesus and James. But Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit. James' father was Joseph. Initially, James was opposed to Jesus' ministry. However, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to James and he eventually became the leader of the Christian movement.


Trials come from God. It is not for the sake of God's information that we are tested. After all, God knows the extent of our faithfulness. But by this testing we can come to know our own level of commitment.

• We will be tested. Verse 2 says "when you meet trials" not if you meet trials. We will be tried and tested.
• Be joyful. How hard is this? But there is a measure of comfort; we do not have to be joyful for the trials, but in them.
• Trials prove our faithfulness to God. When we pass the tests, God sees and knows our commitment to him.
• Trials mature us in the faith. We are built up as we endure. If I am able to endure this trial, the next one will be less of a problem for me.

Abraham is a perfect example of this. God knew that Abraham would obey and sacrifice Isaac, but Abraham grew through this test of his faith.

Prayer is important (v. 5). An important theme of James is prayer. Here James teaches us to

• Ask for wisdom.
• Ask in faith.

Temptation comes from Satan (v. 13). The enemy knows when we are tempted, and exactly what the things are that tempt us. He works hard to distract us and to get us to focus on ourselves.

• We are enticed by the present. When we are tempted, we look at the value, the pleasure that indulging the temptation will get us now. We are tempted through our senses- sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. The problem is that these external temptation can lead to internal sin.
• We should focus on the permanent. Although temptation looks good now, we need to keep the eternal perspective of God in mind. A good time today will not necessarily lead to lasting contentment.

Good things come from God (v. 17). Everything that is worth having comes from the Lord. If it is not lasting, if it is not of value, if it is not good, it does not come from God.