Trials- Where do They Come From


A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
James 1:12‭-‬15 HCSB

The book for James opens speaking about trials:

Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

On the one hand we are blessed when we experience trials and on the other they don't come from God but rather our own evil flesh. Why are we blessed? We are blessed when we choose to not yield to our evil desires. The goal is to overcome our fleshly desires, for they would chain us down in a life of sin. God's goal is to see us free.

Trials are not fun but the overcoming is joy. Trials tell us how free we are, they are a barometer of our freedom. If, each time we are tested, we discover greater resistance to the desire, then we know we are heading towards freedom. If we are in the same place, we are not seeking freedom but rather compounding the hold that thing has on us. If we are in a worse situation, we are in trouble and need to flee the arena and go to warrior school in the word to separate ourselves from that sin. Reaching out to others, uncovering the sinful desire makes it public and we are then in a better place as others can pray for and with us when we are in conflict.

Paul tells us to 'stand fast in the liberty that Christ has given us and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For brethren we have been called into liberty and don't use your liberty for entanglement of the flesh but instead serving one another.'Galatians 5

So, dear reader, rejoice when the trial comes. Today might just be your day of freedom. Amen!

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