03 The Means of Gaining Wisdom (Part 2 - Temptations)

* Last week, in our study of the book of James, we considered what it meant to "Count it all joy WHEN you fall into various trials." We saw that the word for "joy" actually DOES mean to be gleeful and happy. We saw that the term for "testing" means to be tested and proven as genuine, real, or legitimate. We also discussed that the Greek word for "patience" used here is the word "hupomonae" which literally means "to remain under." Hence, the assaying of our faith, through trials which determine it's genuineness, actually help to cause our faith to be matured and complete in order that it is not lacking in any manner. * If, as we are engaging the trial, we recognize that we lack the wisdom to deal with it, we are instructed to ask God for wisdom in how to handle it because He has promised to liberally give wisdom to all who seek it! * Last week, we purposefully skipped over a critical word in our study in order to deal with it more fully in this message. It is the word translated as "trial" in verse 2. The Greek Word is peirasmos. It is literally, "a troublesome situation." These situations, as we see in this passage, can either strengthen your faith or reveal your need for confession, cleansing and sanctification. Most translators choose to translate the word two different ways in this passage - trials and temptations; but, it is the SAME word! * God has much to say, through James, in a short space, regarding His and our relationship to the peirasmoi with which we meet. * This message was presented on September 24, 2023 by Bob Corbin.