James, Part 5 

No one, when tempted, should say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted by evil, and he never tempts anyone else. But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
James 1:13–14

Temptation has been around since the days of Adam and Eve, and few of us escape its grasp. I certainly haven’t; temptation has been a lifelong companion. Thankfully, God has not left us on our own to figure out how to deal with it.

Perhaps the best place to start is with a biblical definition of temptation. In the New Testament, the Greek word pierazo is translated “trials” in some passages and “temptations”  in others. In essence, pierazo describes things that test us. Tests that come as the result of external circumstances are called trials; tests of character that take the form of inner desires are called temptations.

James, Part 4 

If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives generously and ungrudgingly to all, and it will be given to you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord; they are double-minded and unstable in everything they do. 
James 1:5-8

James, the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem, wrote a letter to Christians who were being persecuted. He urged them to be joyful in the midst of their trials because God could transform their problems into blessings. Their trials could become steps to maturity in Christ. James says that ultimately they can be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James, Part 3 

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:5-8

James says we become double-minded–pulled in two directions at the same time–when we are unclear about our identity in Christ. Ever felt that way? James says double-mindedness makes us “unstable” (some versions translate the word “confused”). I can relate to the feeling. Too often I’ve felt myself pulled in different directions when trying to make a decision, and confusion is always the result.

James, Part 2

My brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, consider it all joy because you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 
James 1:2–4

The Book of James was written by the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem and addressed to Christians who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. They were being persecuted by both the Gentiles and the Jews, and many struggled to remain faithful.