Everyone experiences a trial every now and them. Some seem to experience more than others…
However, in the first chapter of James we are all told to “2Consider it pure joy…whenever [we] face trials of many kinds, 3because [we] know that the testing of our faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that [we] may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of us lacks wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to us. 6But when we ask, we must believe and not doubt, because those who doubt are like the waves of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7[People like that] should not think they will receive anything from the Lord; 8 they are a double-minded person, unstable in all they do. 9The person in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in their low position, because they will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by their own evil desire, they are dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:2-18) So there is hope that we can, by the power of the Holy Spirit, overcome temptation, and survive the trials we go through…
The Greek words that are translated as “temptation,” or “trial,” or “test” in the English New Testament are all extremely similar, and all stem from the Greek word, "peirazo," which is understood to mean to "test,” “try” or “put to the proof.” They're also from the Greek word "peira," which is understood to mean to "attempt” or “know by experience.” There's another Greek word, "dokime," which means to "test the genuineness of something,” also used. It's used in 1 Peter 1:7 where we read that how testing of faith is equated to assaying the quality and purity of gold.
James informs us that tests (peirasmos, 1:2) have a purpose and are, primarily, the process by which the genuineness of our faith is determined (dokime, v. 3). It is through this process that the quality of steadfast character is developed…
“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” - 1 Peter 2:19–23.
In English translations, the word “example” in verse 21, is from the Greek term "upogrammos," which is understood to refer to a "writing copy.” It was a term used for a school child’s copy book, in which a child, in copying every letter patterned on the page of the book, learns to carefully reproduce the letter patterns. In the spiritual sense, Jesus Christ is to be the pattern which we are to emulate. In the opening chapter of the Book of Job, we are made witness to a conversation between God and Satan, in God's very throne room...as it unfolds, we are shown that a.) Satan has to answer to God prior to taking any action, and b.) It is God that allows the Temptor to do all that he does - and yet we are promised elsewhere in Scripture that God will not allow anything to befall us that we are unable to overcome... Job 1: "1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil. 2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east. 4And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. 6Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. 7And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. 9Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. 12And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah."
The Greek words that are translated as “temptation,” or “trial,” or “test” in the English New Testament are all extremely similar, and all stem from the Greek word, "peirazo," which is understood to mean to "test,” “try” or “put to the proof.” They're also from the Greek word "peira," which is understood to mean to "attempt” or “know by experience.” There's another Greek word, "dokime," which means to "test the genuineness of something,” also used. It's used in 1 Peter 1:7 where we read that how testing of faith is equated to assaying the quality and purity of gold.
James informs us that tests (peirasmos, 1:2) have a purpose and are, primarily, the process by which the genuineness of our faith is determined (dokime, v. 3). It is through this process that the quality of steadfast character is developed…
“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” - 1 Peter 2:19–23.
In English translations, the word “example” in verse 21, is from the Greek term "upogrammos," which is understood to refer to a "writing copy.” It was a term used for a school child’s copy book, in which a child, in copying every letter patterned on the page of the book, learns to carefully reproduce the letter patterns. In the spiritual sense, Jesus Christ is to be the pattern which we are to emulate. In the opening chapter of the Book of Job, we are made witness to a conversation between God and Satan, in God's very throne room...as it unfolds, we are shown that a.) Satan has to answer to God prior to taking any action, and b.) It is God that allows the Temptor to do all that he does - and yet we are promised elsewhere in Scripture that God will not allow anything to befall us that we are unable to overcome... Job 1: "1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil. 2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east. 4And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. 6Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. 7And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. 9Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. 12And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah."
No matter what, God is in control...
MORE TO COME...
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