2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
How many of us really consider it pure joy when we are tempted? In the NLLT it tells us to consider it an opportunity for great joy. An opportunity? When we think of an opportunity, we always think of benefits.
We really don’t look at temptations as benefits, for if you are like I am, when I’m tempted, I already feel defeated and discouraged. That’s one of satan’s tactics to get us to believe a lie.
Let’s consider what the benefits of temptations are. When we endure temptations, such as lusts, cravings, impulses, enticements and longings our faith becomes stronger. NLT says that we will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Wow! Perfect, complete and needing nothing. So let’s consider those temptations as opportunities of great joy!
Count it Pure Joy!
James 1:2–4 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
How many of us really consider it pure joy when we are tempted? In the NLLT it tells us to consider it an opportunity for great joy. An opportunity? When we think of an opportunity, we always think of benefits.
We really don’t look at temptations as benefits, for if you are like I am, when I’m tempted, I already feel defeated and discouraged. That’s one of satan’s tactics to get us to believe a lie.
Let’s consider what the benefits of temptations are. When we endure temptations, such as lusts, cravings, impulses, enticements and longings our faith becomes stronger. NLT says that we will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Wow! Perfect, complete and needing nothing. So let’s consider those temptations as opportunities of great joy!
By Pastor Steve Eicher