From James chapter one we are called, in verses 2-4, we are admonished to let patience accomplish its work in us, during diverse trials. We know that trials are either ordained or allowed by God, for the purpose of maturing us in our faith.
In James chapter one, God outlines 6 potential trials we can face, for the purpose of our patience in the midst of them, to bring Christian maturity. We have already looked at 4 of them.
- TRIAL ONE: Choosing God’s wisdom and will, rather than being double-minded
- TRIAL TWO: Letting go of what we hold on to, apart from Christ
- TRIAL THREE: Satanic temptation
- TRIAL FOUR: Refusing the wrath of man.
TRIAL FIVE: A Doer of the Word When the Doing is Difficult.
James 1:21-24 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
If anything serves as a means of wearing down our resolve for holy integrity and a refusal for even marginal compromise, it is long tenured trials. We are commanded to take the high ground of Christ’s righteousness, rather than what is easiest, when easy would relieve some of the difficulty. Over a longer period of time, this can be quite exhausting.
Consider the trial of being in a dispute, where your enemy repeatedly takes below the belt shots of character assignation and refuses to traffic in truth. We are called to love our enemies, bless those that curse us, do good to those who hate us and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute us (Matthew 5:38-48).
In this type of protracted fiery trial, we may have to deny our flesh repeatedly, which can weary us in the war between flesh and spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). While patience has its perfect work of maturing us and bringing us to single mindedness in Christ, we may be exposed to what seems like an unrelated temptation; the “filthiness” written of above.
We could list tons of other trials, but to understand how to overcome, letting patience have its perfect work, we need only regard the remedy, for all trials, which is… “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls”.
We receive the implanted word of God by “being doers of the word of God, rather than hearers only”.
Every temptation can and must be overcome exactly as Christ overcame temptation, by the word of God, in the power of God’s Spirit.
When you have time read the account of our Lord Jesus Christ being tempted in the wilderness. In each of Satan’s passes at Christ, He overcomes by reciting the word of God and doing what it says.
This is where we have so much room to grow, for in each of the previous trials and the one which follows, we find a foundation in the scriptures of overcoming each one.
Letting patience have its perfect work is essentially attaining God’s wisdom for His will, from what is revealed in the word of God and then holding on to it while letting go of all other options.
A primary reason for our trials, from God’s perspective has to be our growing in hearing and doing the word of God, regardless of circumstances. This practice, which is fueled by the fulness of the Holy Spirit is repeatedly noted as a means to our maturity.
Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 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.
This passage of scripture is a large reason for the weak, unfaithful and carnal Christianity of America and the West, in general.
Christians listen to countless YouTube sermons and teachings, read books and articles, watch Christians programming, but are still unprepared for suffering. Worse yet, most are unable to converse using God’s word in conversation, in addition to being clueless as to how to navigate trials or discern spiritual things.
The reason is simple, we have equated Christian growth with Sunday school classes, seminars, or the amount of content one consumes, rather than God’s way of hiding the word of God in you heart, because one delights in it, for the purpose of real times direction from God’s Holy Spirit.
What I am referring to is not for the purpose of “personal prophets” who vomit their own ideas or those who constantly talk about hearing from the Lord Jesus Christ. What I am referring to is the real practice of being led by God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads by that which He inspired, God’s Word.
Where does one start? Check what your delight is and if it is not His word, repent and apply the practice of meditating on God’s word.
Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
What does it mean to “meditate”? It means as cow chews grass, swallows and vomits it up to chew a bit more, than vomit it up again, to repeated the process, till the grass is fully assimilated; we do similarly with God’s word.
Whether we read it or hear it, we then prayerfully think on what God’s intention is in it and for how it is to be lived out. Then in a free moment an hour later or two (it does not matter), we bring it back into our thoughts and surprise, surprise, the Holy Spirit gives more insight.
This process may go on for a whole day. Two weeks later, while in conversation, you hear something from a friend and that passage comes back to mind, by the Holy Spirit, and you know that your friend is going down a wrong road. In turn you warn your friend, reciting what you have hidden in your heart.
This is only one angle on myriad of ways the word will work to mature you, but the point must be made, the word will never give you’re your identity in Christ, if you do not hear and DO. This is why so many, in trials, forget who they are and have no idea what God commands them to do. It is as if they looked in a mirror and walked away and forgot they are to behave like Christ.
Remember, if you find yourself lacking in the doing department, repent, seek the Lord for His leading and be prepared to have trials, for they are the special soil to receive the implanted word of God, from doing.
Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.
Psalms 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place.
