From the very beginning of the Epistle of James, one thing becomes very clear; that God deems trials to be necessary for the development of strong Christian character.

More specifically trials develop patience, or what is more rightly defined as long-suffering, which makes our faith granite life in strength.

James 1:2-3 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Verse three reveals that trials test our faith, producing patience, which is longsuffering endurance in the Christian. Why do we need long suffering endurance? Because as we grow closer to Christ’s return and more like Christ in character, as by the Holy Spirit, we will face greater trial to test our faith.

The enemy has a different reason for trials, and that of causing our faith to fail. Yet we ought not to fret his intentions, for God’s purpose in our being developed into full maturity, as a believer, always supersede Satan’s foul intentions, so long as when we stumble, we stumble into Christ with faith.

James gives us an encouragement to “let patience have its perfect work”. We can understand this as, let patience or long-suffering endurance, in trials, accomplish its work of maturing our faith.

What is the ultimate end of God’s patience perfecting work from the context of James?

For us to be purified from being double minded to being singularly focused on Christ, His will, His word, and our blessed hope, by faith.

The truth being proffered in James 1 is not a truth in isolation from a New Testament perspective. Perhaps the most know New Testament passage concerning longsuffering endurance in trials producing strong Christian character is Romans 5:1-5 especially verses 3-5.

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The word “trials” in James 1 can mean a solicitation, or temptation; it also carries with it the idea of the testing of virtue or character for the purpose of making it stronger. This is consistent with what we have already discovered about what God seeks to produce, from trials in our lives.

We understand God ordains or allows trials in our lives that through long-suffering patience, that His character would be formed in us, as we become singularly focused on Christ, His will, and His word.

From Romans 5:3 we see that “tribulations” also produce longsuffering. What are “tribulations”? The word “tribulation” means to have consistent growing pressure, designed by Satan, to make us flee from faith in Christ.

It Is wonderful to know our God and Father is still sovereign over them, allowing them to develop not just Christ-like character, but hope. Hope in what you ask? More like hope in Whom?

Tribulation builds Christ character in us, and that Christ character has one fixed point, the only hope that will never disappoint…

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

So, we understand that trials and tribulations are necessary, as the Lord uses these to purify and strengthen our faith.

Because this is God’s intended end in trials, we ought “Count it all joy when we fall into various trials” (James 1:2-3).

Why then do we not rejoice, but rather have an urge to run or pray to get out of the trial? Because we are immature and need to grow up.

In the chapter one of James there are 5 trials outlined, which are later looked at in greater depth, in subsequent chapters of James.

TRIAL ONE: Choosing wisdom to destroy double mindedness.

James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

The chief need during a trial is that of wisdom. More specifically, the wisdom of God, rather than the wisdom of men. Perhaps one of the more well-known proverbs reveals, this is a choice we must make.

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.

During a trial, we must be careful not to panic, but to press in to hear God’s wisdom, rather than our own, which this passage defines as evil. First and foremost, remember that God’s wisdom is in line with the word of God. God’s will and wisdom is revealed in His word, and communicated by the Holy Spirit, in the person who has hidden God’s word in their heart.

Consider what Hebrews 5:13-14 reveals.

Hebrews 5:13-14 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The first area of difficulty we must address in trials is praying with singular focus and staying on that singular focus, because it’s God’s wisdom and will. This is not easy, for the discomfort of trials, engenders a human response to alleviate the discomfort, as soon as possible. The only problem is that God’s wisdom does not always fall in line with our innate human response.

Therefore, once His wisdom is given, which is, direction in line with His word, we must hold to it in prayer and be fixed on it as the solution. This is where “patience” can have its perfecting work in us., because there is often space between His answer and the end of the trial. This is where doublemindedness can creep in.

What is double mindedness? It is to vacillate or waver between two opinions. Quite simply, if God is our God, we must choose the wisdom and direction of His word, whether the difficulty is short or entracted. If not, we will eventually give into our flesh, the world or the devil.

Praise the Lord, He is strong and consistent to give us opportunity to become mature, but beware, lazy Christians who do not discipline themselves to handle life considering the word of God, will never be able to discern between good and evil. It is to those who do not allow the perfecting work of God, in trials, wo whom He refers to  falling away, concerning the great apostacy in the last days (II Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Prayerfully consider, you first response when a trial occurs. Is it to complain, fix the circumstances, run away or to seek God for wisdom and His perspective?

Next time we will look into other trials we are to rejoice in, knowing they will produce longsuffering faith.