DEVOTION – DAY 399

James 1:2-4 “Resisting Temptations”

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because that you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

In v2, James used the word “trials” and in v3, he used the word “testing”. In Greek, the root behind the use of these words refer to temptations that might lead people into moral sin. Thus, what James wanted us to know is that Christians are to face temptations as opportunities to mature spiritually as they persevere and resist such temptations. Just as people gain muscle strength when they repeatedly subject their bodies to vigorous exercise, people can gain spiritual maturity by facing temptations head on and persevere as they stay morally upright. They are to resist every temptation with the help of God and His Word. 

We know someone who was addicted to cigarettes. He had learnt to smoke when he was young and soon, he was smoking a packet of cigarettes a day. He had tried many times to smoke less and even give up smoking. He would sometimes be able to give up smoking for up to a month but once he lit a cigarette to have a few puffs, his resolve melted and soon, he was back to a packet of cigarettes a day. He knew that in the long term, smoking was bad for his lungs but he did not have the will to get out of his addiction. 

One of his friends who was a Christian told him that with the help from the Lord, he would be able to overcome his addiction to cigarettes. His friend shared with him the gospel message. Out of desperation, he was willing to put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ to help him overcome his addiction. His friend prayed alongside with him, as he surrendered his addiction to Jesus. He threw away his packet of cigarettes. His friend would call him daily to encourage him as he resisted temptation to smoke. Soon, he realized that his desire for cigarettes was less. Every time he felt the desire to look for a cigarette, he prayed to God. He phoned his friend to ask for prayers. This went on for several months, and in time, he stopped smoking. He has not touched a cigarette for many years. Looking back, he had persevered by resisting every temptation to smoke. He had faced his “testing” directly. He had grown spiritually as a result of his experience, in the way he trusted God and depended upon Him. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you for you are the source of our strength. Thank you for helping us to flee from, and resist temptations to sin. Please help us to always walk closely with you and not fall into sin. We pray this in the glorious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Questions

  1. How do you see the trials and temptations that you face? Do you give in to them, or do you see them as opportunities to depend and trust the Lord to help you resist temptations? 
  2. What kind of temptations do you face? Share.
  3. What practical steps can you take to resist falling into temptation and sin? Share.
  4. How has the Lord helped you in the past to overcome your temptations and how can you share your experience to encourage others to persevere?