Victory Though Endurance
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
James opens his letter to the early church by emphasizing that our battle with temptation is not one that could be swiftly conquered. Instead, it is a lifelong battle where we resist the devil and kill our sin repeatedly by the power of the Holy Spirit. Once justified, a believer's road to glorification is one full of long suffering and endurance as we grow in our faith.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.”
God purifies our faith through tests not temptation. Jesus, the fullness of God incarnate in flesh, was inherently holy and thus any external temptation had no effect on Him. This was a lesson that Satan learned in the desert. Just as Jesus is not prone to temptation, He is not a tempter.
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
This passage is insightful in identifying the origin of temptation as well as the destination. It is our sinful desires that entice us to be tempted. And much like in Romans 6:23, James is quick to point that a life of sin can only lead to death. It is never enough to simply cast out these sinful desires. This is a temporary solution to a destructive problem. Luke 11 paints the picture of a potentially well-intentioned man in battle with an unclean spirit. The spirit leaves for a time and eventually returns with many more spirits even more wicked than itself. It doesn’t matter how well you clean yourself up. If you don’t sanctify the areas in your life where sin used to reign, then it will manifest itself in wretched ways. The Lord our God did not save us just to abandon us. David, a man of God who knew the consequences of temptation, offered glory to the Lord for something only He could do; have victory over temptation.
“My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net”
When tempted we are not to look at all that surrounds us and try to fight it with our own strength. Instead, we are to look towards the radiant glory of God. We are to fill ourselves with the word of God and meditate on the promises He has given to those who love Him.
