James 1:2-8 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 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. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Purpose of “Various Trials”

Ø    2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Proper response to “Various Trials”

Ø    4. let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The Problem:  Lack of Wisdom to respond properly to the testing of our faith

Ø    If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him. 

Admonition                             

Ø    6 But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing.

The ‘Doubter’ – lack of faith

Ø    For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. 7 For do not let that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord;  8  he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.

Ø       Trials -- πειρασμός 3986 trials with a beneficial purpose and effect

Earthly Wisdom

Ø       James 3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and strife in your hearts, do not glory and lie against the truth.  15  This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  16  For where envying and strife are, there is confusion and every foul deed. 

Heavenly Wisdom          

Ø       17  But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Believers are to respond to the ‘various trials’ in a way that is: pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy

Father I ask that you will give me wisdom to count it all joy when I fall into various trials knowing that the testing of my faith produces patience. And I pray that I will let patience have its perfect work, that I may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. But Father, if I lack wisdom, I am thankful that you have promised to give it to me liberally and without reproach.  I also pray that I ask in faith, with no doubting, for I know that one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind and if that is true of me I know I will not receive anything from you; because I would be a double-minded man, unstable in all my ways.