Word@Work James9 - James1:16-18
Published: Fri, 02/20/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TRICKED OR TRUSTING
James 1:16-18 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (NIV)
Every temptation is a confidence trick. Satan shows us opportunities to satisfy our ungodly desires, and tricks us into feeling that it must be ok. Because we want it so much, we brush aside our conscience, refuse to pray about it; and buy the lie. This is as sensible as investing in a bankrupt company. But that was what Adam and Eve did in Genesis ch 3:1-7. Satan lured them into doubting that God meant what He said, (Gen 3:1), then to believe that God was wrong (Gen 3:4), because He would refuse to give them what was best (Gen 3:5) ... and so they fell into temptation.
James says that we should make sure that we are not deceived into believing that God won't give us what is good. If that is what we believe, then we will do whatever we can to get it for ourselves! But the truth is: God is an amazingly kind and generous Father. His gifts always perfectly match our need and His desire to be glorified through our lives. God does not respond in a fickle way, as if depending on a mood. God, who is the Creator of light, can never cast a shadow or leave His people in the dark. Indeed, it was through trusting in God's grace and the sacrifice of Jesus that we have been brought out of darkness into His wonderful light (cf 2 Cor 4:6, 1 Peter 2:9). God's Word is truth; and when we believe what it says about Jesus - the light is switched on in our hearts and we are reborn ... to become like Him.
So if God is so kind, why do we panic when things go wrong, and take matters into our own hands? There is, of course, a responsibility to act - but that must be at the Lord's command and not ours. How different our working life would be if we were 100% confident that the Lord will work out everything for our good (cf Rom 8:28)? Our response to temptation or any testing would be prayer instead of panic, and quiet confidence instead of confusion (cf Is 30:15). Yet much of our background and education screams at us that if we don't do something, there will be disaster. Handling things differently takes time and experience, but starts when we believe that God is in control and will gives us the best. Praying to accept and rejoice in God's sovereignty is the first step.
Prayer: Dear Father God. Please forgive me when I think and act as if You are not in control. Help me to believe the truth about Your character and to accept that You will give me what I need so that my life can glorify you. Help me to trust You in this, even when my working life becomes so complicated. Help me to take a step back and see my circumstances in the light of your power and grace. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Every temptation is a confidence trick. Satan shows us opportunities to satisfy our ungodly desires, and tricks us into feeling that it must be ok. Because we want it so much, we brush aside our conscience, refuse to pray about it; and buy the lie. This is as sensible as investing in a bankrupt company. But that was what Adam and Eve did in Genesis ch 3:1-7. Satan lured them into doubting that God meant what He said, (Gen 3:1), then to believe that God was wrong (Gen 3:4), because He would refuse to give them what was best (Gen 3:5) ... and so they fell into temptation.
James says that we should make sure that we are not deceived into believing that God won't give us what is good. If that is what we believe, then we will do whatever we can to get it for ourselves! But the truth is: God is an amazingly kind and generous Father. His gifts always perfectly match our need and His desire to be glorified through our lives. God does not respond in a fickle way, as if depending on a mood. God, who is the Creator of light, can never cast a shadow or leave His people in the dark. Indeed, it was through trusting in God's grace and the sacrifice of Jesus that we have been brought out of darkness into His wonderful light (cf 2 Cor 4:6, 1 Peter 2:9). God's Word is truth; and when we believe what it says about Jesus - the light is switched on in our hearts and we are reborn ... to become like Him.
So if God is so kind, why do we panic when things go wrong, and take matters into our own hands? There is, of course, a responsibility to act - but that must be at the Lord's command and not ours. How different our working life would be if we were 100% confident that the Lord will work out everything for our good (cf Rom 8:28)? Our response to temptation or any testing would be prayer instead of panic, and quiet confidence instead of confusion (cf Is 30:15). Yet much of our background and education screams at us that if we don't do something, there will be disaster. Handling things differently takes time and experience, but starts when we believe that God is in control and will gives us the best. Praying to accept and rejoice in God's sovereignty is the first step.
Prayer: Dear Father God. Please forgive me when I think and act as if You are not in control. Help me to believe the truth about Your character and to accept that You will give me what I need so that my life can glorify you. Help me to trust You in this, even when my working life becomes so complicated. Help me to take a step back and see my circumstances in the light of your power and grace. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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