Every Good and Perfect Gift, James 1:16-21

James opens telling us to count it all joy when we fall into temptation, knowing that it is an opportunity for promotion and completion.

If we lack wisdom, ask of God who gives to all who ask in faith.

We’re blessed by enduring temptation and the crown of life, awaits those who love Him.

Temptation never comes from God.

Temptation always comes from our own desires, and if allowed to grow, ends in death.

So...

¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 

Don’t be deceived like Eve. Gen. 3:6.

Don’t doubt the Word of God, the Word of Truth.

Don’t fall for the forbidden fruit that looks so good, so pleasant to the eyes and so desirous to make one wise.

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, are poisonous imposters of the pure and precious gifts of God. 1 John 2:16.

Remember yielding to temptation only leads to destruction, darkness and death.

Therefore, let’s move forward in our journey through James, and life, by considering a better Way.

Look up.

^17a Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...

Ah, that’s refreshing.

Last week we read:

¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 

And we said:

If it's sin—it’s not from God. Period.

If it’s evil—it’s not from God. Period.

Today, let’s soar to a new level.

Rather than looking at what’s not from God, let’s look at what is.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

So, we can say:

          If it’s good and perfect—it’s from God.

These words in the original Greek text have a poetic rhythm, and some say they are a fragment of an ancient Christian hymn.

Our English word, “gift” is two Greek words in the original text.

Every good gift (dosis) and every perfect gift (dōrēma) is from above.

The first “gift” refers to the act of giving, the second to the gift itself.

Gift (dosis) = the act of giving

Gift (dōrēma) = the gift itself

Notice the two lovely gifts are preceded by a couple of handsome escorts, good and perfect.

Good (Greek: agathos), which means, good.

Perfect (Greek: teleios), which means, mature, full-grown, complete. Like a pirate’s telescope extending, step by step, stage by stage, strength by strength, until full capacity, full extension, full strength, completeness, clarity.

Teleios should sound familiar, this is the third time in James we’ve heard that word.  

You may remember when we discussed it in verse 4.

But let patience have its perfect (teleios) work, that you may be perfect (teleios) and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4.

If you are born again, you are a gift. Growing like good Seed in good soil. Telescoping, extending, step by step with the Word as a lamp; strengthened day after day with His daily Bread. Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Now if we add all the definitions we just discussed, we can say:

God is ever giving goodness, and His Gifts are always perfect.

Okay, let’s get back to our text.

Every good gift and perfect gift comes down from above...

^17b ...and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 

People need to know this.

Tell them.

Help them see, Him, in you.

There are no shadows in God. No dark side. No downside. He’s an ever-present Good Father in good times and bad—no absentee dad. Never moody. Never drunk. You never have to walk on eggshells around Him.

He’s not out looking for a fight.

He doesn’t take pleasure in punishing people, but in giving good gifts.

Do our lives reflect this about Him?

Serving and following and loving Him is always good.

No matter the circumstance. He is never changing, ever faithful, strong and stable.

On dreary days, during the darkest night, the sun still shines just as bright.

It gets that from its Creator. Our Father.

God is good. All the time. Period.

Malachi 3:6, He states clearly: “I AM the Lord, I change not...”

Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

¹⁸ Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Of His own will

He wants you, alive, at such a time and place as this.

Are you living out your mission? Your Divine Eternal Calling?

He brought us forth. He gave us birth.

In the beginning God spoke, “let us make man in Our image.” Genesis 1:26-27.

The Love that flowed from His lips from that day to this, echoes from countless multitudes of husbands and wives whispering, “let’s make a baby.”

John 3:3
Unless born again, no one can see the Kingdom of God

His Divine Eternal Purpose from those words in the beginning to The Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us (John 1:14), was so we could be (brought forth) born into His glorious family. 

Jesus is the Word of Truth.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1, 14.

I AM the Way, the Truth, the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me...(John 14:6).

In the volume of the Book (Word of Truth) is written of Me. Psalm 40:7, Hebrews 10:7

A kind of firstfruits. The Feast of Firstfruits is when Israel takes a sheaf from the first crop and brings it to the priest as a wave offering to the Lord. Showing thanksgiving for the first fruit and faith for much more to come.

Now check out the cool part.

The Feast of Firstfruits is celebrated in the spring, (this year it’s, April 4-5, 2026).

It is the day after the Sabbath following Passover.

Jesus died on Passover. Then was Sabbath, the next day was Sunday, the first day of the week and the first day of The Feast of Firstfruits.

Jesus resurrected on the Feast of Firstfruits.

Jesus is the Firstfruit from the dead, with much more to come.

If you are born again, you are part of the much more to come.

He is the Firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

¹⁹ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

So then, my beloved, I said all that to say this.

Listening is a part of communication.

God gave two ears, one mouth.

Do the math. 

Communication should be, at least, two parts listening to one part speaking.

Let patience have her perfect work. Before speaking, pray for wisdom. Listen for the Word of Truth.

Count it all joy, endure temptation, look toward the crown of life.

Doing that will take care of being slow to wrath and produce the righteousness of God.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Ephesians 4:26
Be angry and sin not; do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Heb. 12:1 ...lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Okay, the Holy Spirit is moving us to teleios quickly, kindly.

However, this verse smells like Luke 15:11-32.

When the prodigal son came home, he stunk. Imagine, pig manure in his hair, his clothes stained with all kinds of muck. 

Yet, his father gave him the biggest hug of his life and said, let’s have a feast.

But dad didn’t stop there. He gave his son a robe, and a ring and some shoes and... probably a bath.

God loves us just the way we are, but too much to keep us that way.

We need to be continuously growing closer to the Lord, further from the world.

We should be laying aside the filthiness of the flesh, the overflow of wickedness from the world.

That pig slop we brought in with us should be replaced as we receive with meekness the implanted Word, that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Receive with meekness the implanted Word, is a picture of good soil receiving good Seed.

Mark 4:14-20
¹⁴ The Sower sows the word.

¹⁵ And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

¹⁶ These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; ¹⁷ and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

¹⁸ Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹ and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

²⁰ But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

How do we get good soil?

Great question. The answer can be seen if we glance over our shoulder at the highlights the Holy Spirit has already shown us in this dynamic little book of James.  

Count it all joy when temptations come.

Let patience have her perfect work.

Ask for wisdom, in faith.

Endure temptations.

Be not deceived

Focus on every good and perfect gift that comes from the Father of lights.

Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for every good and perfect gift You’ve given us. We offer them as a wave offering back to You only asking You use them for Your glory, to bring many into Your Harvest.

Lord, how can we love and serve You, better?

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

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Watch online:

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

A Little Sanctuary, Ezekiel 11:13-25

Repeatedly through Ezekiel, and HIStory, the Lord warns, judgement is coming, justice will be served. All will know I AM the Lord.

This last section of Ezekiel 11 is the conclusion of a vision that started in chapter 8. The vision exposes why judgement must come.

It started with the image of jealousy by the front gate—like having a fat little statue of buddha by the front door. Or more like having an affair and keeping a picture of the person on the nightstand by your side of the bed. (Good way to wake up dead.)

To God, idolatry is like adultery.

Next thing in the vision Zeke saw inside the temple walls crawled, with every kind of unclean creepy crawly creature they worshipped.

Outside the women wept for Tammuz, a false fertility god, whose worship involved sinful sexual rituals.

Then, he saw twenty-five priests, who should’ve been examples of holiness, but instead turned their backs to the Lord, faced east and bowed to the sun.

That was the last straw.

The Lord called for an angelic delta force. A half dozen warriors appeared carrying battleaxes. One had an inkhorn to seal the righteous, the others followed to slay the wicked.

Then the presence of the Lord departed from the temple to the East Gate.

From there the Lord showed Ezekiel twenty-five princes who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel. (Corrupt political leaders).

Note:

 First the Lord exposed the corruption of the religious, the worshippers, those supposed to be righteous. Then, He exposed corrupt politicians.

As goes the Church, so goes the nation (government).

1 Peter 4:17
Judgement must begin at the house of God.

More important than calling on our congressman is calling on our God for preachers to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

God told Ezekiel these crooked politicians claim to be the elite, the meat, the muscle, the might of the city. Ezekiel 11:3.

“Therefore, prophesy against them, prophesy O son of man.”  Ez. 11:4.

Then, Ezekiel 11:5-12, the Lord told Zeke to speak and tell them, they are not the elite, the meat, the muscle the might, of the city.

Their thoughts and words and deeds have been seen and the blood of the slain cries out against them.

They will be drawn out of the city, slain by the sword, and on the wrong side of the border, find out that I AM THE LORD. Ezekiel 11:10-12.

Ezekiel 11:13
Now it happened, while I was prophesying, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died...

Ezekiel’s prophecy, in the vision, showed immediate manifestation.

Revealing, it won’t be long before fulfilled. (592-586 BC = 6 yrs).

Then I fell on my face and cried with a loud voice, and said, “Ah, Lord God! Will You make a complete end of the remnant of Israel?”

I fell on my face and cried... I know it’s a vision, and serious subject matter, but whenever I read that I see one of my grandkids collapse to the floor in the middle of the store because... “No, you can’t have that—thingamawhatever.”

Recap:

God told Zeke to prophesy the bad guys are gonna die.

Zeke prophesied.

Pelatiah died.

Zeke cried.

On the floor.

With a loud voice!

Oh God! Are You gonna destroy the whole nation?

Oh, for Pete’s sake Zeke. Get up. Big baby.

When God’s Word comes to pass, we ought not be surprised, but nod our head and say, yep, exactly as He said. When God answers prayer, we ought not be surprised but nod and say, yep, God answers prayer.

But we’ll cut Ezekiel some slack. For one reason, this was a vision, he may not have reacted that way in real life. Plus, he was still a beginner in the office of Prophet.

Plus, we’re no better.

Somebody needs to do something about Iran. Ain’t right. Slaughtering civilians. Funding terrorists. Threatening U.S. What’re we waiting for? Trump must be chicken. We need to take’em out. Dear God please help.

Then, we strike.

A week later, what’s takin’ so long?!?!

THEN, the price of gas goes up a penny.

Oh God! You’re gonna destroy the whole nation!

Oh, for Pete’s sake. Grow up.

The love and patience of God is amazing.

That He chooses to work with us, is overwhelmingly mind boggling.

It’d be soooo much easier for Him if He just did it Himself.

But, for whatever reason, He chooses to work with and through His creation.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

John Wesley said, "God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer." (John Wesley, not Scripture, not doctrine, but generally true).

God is sovereign and can do whatever He wants. However, He willingly chooses to work in and through me and you.

Count how many times you see “pray” in this Scripture:  

James 5:13-18
¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Seven, a number of completion.

That passage pretty much sums it up.

Just think. Elijah, powerful prophet and prayer warrior... a man with a nature like ours.

Let that sink into your soul.

Prayer in the hands of Love is the most powerful force on earth.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A few days ago, in our Prayer Meeting, we were remembering recently answered prayers, as per Psalm 103, forget not all His benefits.

JJ was addicted and missing, his life was crumbling. We prayed. He’s home, excelling at work and on fire for Jesus.

Deb, Pat, Larry, battling cancer. We prayed. Today they’re cancer free!

Specific prayer for our Church family: Ever increasing hunger and wisdom for His Word. Ministers rising in our midst. Soul winners, disciple makers.

Suddenly while we were still speaking, the Lord interrupted with the sound of an abundance of rain.

We laughed and remembered a week or so ago we prayed for rain at the start of our service. A few hours later we were smiling, listening to the sound of an abundance of rain. From that day to this it has continued to fall, again, and again. The Lord reminding us the drought we were in is broken.

Remember. We not only prayed for physical rain, but for an outpouring of His Spirit. The harvest is plentiful, the laborers few, therefore, go and be soul winners and disciple makers. Luke 10:2-3, Matthew 9:37-38, John 4:35.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

If the answer isn’t what you expect, ask the Lord for wisdom. He will give it. James 1:5-6.

Or just fall on the floor and cry with a loud voice. It worked for Zeke.

Notice the compassion in the following words. It’s like the Lord got down on the floor with Zeke to speak, calmly, encouragingly.

¹⁴ Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ¹⁵ “Son of man, your brethren, your relatives, your countrymen, and all the house of Israel in its entirety, are those about whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Get far away from the Lord; this land has been given to us as a possession.’

The Good Shepherd, protects, provides for, talks to, cares for, abides with, His own.

The Lord explains to Zeke (and us), simply, clearly, that those left-behinders, are not the remnant of Israel.

They only, arrogantly, temporarily, think they are.

Not all inhabitants of positions of power are rightful residents of that position. They fill a void the rightful owners failed to fill.

They devise iniquity and give wicked counsel. They soak the soil with the blood of the slain.

They are of those who applaud slaughtering babies, mutilating children and rejecting God’s Divine Design for marriage. They think they are God’s chosen. They worship the altar of replacement theology, and pervert God’s Word to fit their sinful lifestyle, lust and pleasure.

Dear son of man, perhaps the captives were taken (carried away, caught up, raptured) for both justice and judgement to occur concurrently, for discipline, and deliverance from the wrath which is to come on those left behind.

 ¹⁶ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.” ’ 

What an amazing turn of events.

The exiles were not exiled from God.

Up until now they all thought God only resided in the temple in Jerusalem. But now He lets them know, I went into exile with you.

Just ask Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when they went into the fiery furnace, I was right there with them.

Just ask Daniel, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, was right there with him in the Lion’s Den.

And dear Zeke and every captive, every exile, everyone who’s ever felt like you were on the outside looking in. You can know for sure and certain, I AM is right there with you. In that hospital bed, that prison cell, that lonely room staring at that empty chair where the one you miss and love so much, used to be.

He is near the brokenhearted, delivers the crushed in spirit. Ps. 34:18.

He will never leave you nor forsake you. Dt. 31:6, Heb. 13:5

From this very verse birthed the concept of synagogues, which means, Church in the Clubhouse. Just kidding. Kind of. It means, house of gathering.

The Lord says to them, and us: No matter where you’re scattered, if you gather in My name, I AM there.

Jesus confirms this Divine promise in:

Matthew 18:20
 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

¹⁷ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” ’ 

About a half-dozen years after this vision, Babylon’s third siege (586 BC) would destroy Jerusalem and the wicked, and just as prophesied, the sealed would be saved.

About 47 years later king Cyrus of Persia (Iran) conquered Babylon and set the captive Jews free and assisted their return to Jerusalem.

The prophetic reflection today is the Jews returning the favor. After 47 years of captivity, the Persians are being set free. Leading the charge is Cyrus #47, Trump.

¹⁸ And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there.   

When the Jews returned to Israel, the nation never again returned to the detestable abominations of idol worship.

Okay, hang on, we’re going to do some major time travel.

Next, we see the prophecy not only reflects today but projects into our future.

¹⁹ Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, ²⁰ that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

We’re still waiting for this to happen.

It will, at the end of the Tribulation. When Jesus appears and descends upon the Mount of Olives.

Israel will recognize Him as the One they pierced, their Messiah. They will mourn Him as one would mourn the loss of a firstborn.

Then, all Israel will be saved.

Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

John 19:37
 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Romans 11:26
 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob

 ²¹ But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

New Testament counterpart:

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

Justice is rising.  Judgement is coming.

Two sides of same coin.

Justice for one. Judgement for the other.

²² So the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was high above them. ²³ And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain, which is on the east side of the city.

Mount of Olives.

The mount on the east side of Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives.

The Mount of Olives seems to be His favorite launching and landing pad.

From there the Lord ascended to His heavenly Home, only to return about 600 years later. Not riding His Cherubim Chariot, but a donkey, on a day prophesied 483 years in advance; 173,880 days to be exact. Daniel 9:25.

That prophecy was so remarkable, that day so amazing, that around the world we still remember and celebrate that Palm Sunday.

7 days from that day, Jesus had already gone through death, burial and resurrection.

Then, for 40 days He showed Himself alive with undeniable proofs to hundreds of eyewitnesses.

Then, on the 47^th day, from the Mount of Olives, He ascended into heaven while His disciples watched—probably with their mouths hanging open.

But that’s not all. A couple of angels appeared and said something like this: “What are you guys doing, standing here, staring into the sky with your mouths open wide? This same Jesus you saw go into heaven, will come again in like manner.” Acts 1:11.

Jesus has one more scheduled landing on the Mount of Olives. This may be the last one, because this time, He’s going to bring the house down.

Zechariah 14:4
And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.

²⁴ Then the Spirit took me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to those in captivity. And the vision that I had seen went up from me. ²⁵ So I spoke to those in captivity of all the things the Lord had shown me.

The mission continues for Zeke and for us, to speak, all the things the Lord has shown us.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You that no matter where we are, we can be in a little Sanctuary with You. Thank You for planting Your Word in our souls just now. Thank You like the rain, it won’t return void but will prosper and grow to the saving of souls. Help us, like Zeke, to speak all the things You show us. So that of all those You’ve given us, none will be lost.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

 

Triumph Over Temptation, James 1:12-15

James 1:12-15
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death

Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied), is the man who endures temptation.

Temptation, is the same word as “trials” in James 1:2, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

(Greek: peirasmos: temptation, trial, test).

Blessed is the man who endures...

Endures, is the same word (almost), same root, same definition, as patience in James 1:3-4.

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.

12. Endures, hupomenó: To endure, to persevere, to remain steadfast

3. Patience, hupomoné: Endurance, perseverance, patience, steadfastness.

The Lord has laid a foundation in this opening chapter of James. We see a pattern laid and precedent set that blessing and joy are available for those who face temptations, trials and tests.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation.

Count it all joy when you fall into various temptations.

But only available to those who handle their temptations with wisdom from above.

There is a way to triumph over temptations.

That’s what we want to learn and know.

We’re already off to a good start with our prior “Count it all joy” study.

James 1:2-4
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.

Perfect, Teleios: Mature, full-grown. Like a pirate’s telescope extending from stage to stage until it is fully extended to full strength, completeness, lacking nothing.

Complete, holokléros: Whole, complete, entire. From two Greek words. Holo: wholeness. Kléros: Divine allotment by casting lot.

Literally: Holy allotment of wholeness.

So, next time temptation, trial, test, comes, just smile.

Count it all joy.

When someone asks what you’re smiling about, say: “I’m blessed, happy, fortunate and to be envied.”

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Crown of life also mentioned in:

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Good news and bad news.

Bad news: Temptation will last our whole lifetime on this earth.

Good news: Our life on this earth is but a vapor.  

Approval comes on the other side of the grave.

 Crown of life comes after life. Which is where real Life begins.

The crown is not a royal crown, that’s diádēma, this is a victor’s crown, stéphanos, from stepho: to twine or wreathe or weave.

It’s used of a woven wreath (garland) awarded to a victor in ancient athletic games, like the Greek Olympics.

The same word is used for the crown of thorns. Matt. 27:29.

Notice the crown of life is for those who love Him.

Motives matter.

1 Corinthians 13:3
Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Enduring against, not yielding to temptation reflects how well we love Him.

Like a spouse resists temptation to cheat on the one they love.

Yielding to temptation shows lack of love toward God.

All things work together for good to those who love God... Rom. 8:28.

If we endure, count it all joy, allow patience to have her perfect work, walk, abide, in His Love that never fails, then, we will receive His Perfect Divine allotment of wholeness, lacking nothing—with a crown of life on top.

 ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 

God is untemptable.

If its sin—it’s not from God. Period.

If it’s evil—it’s not from God. Period.

It’s never right to do what’s wrong, no matter what.

That drunk driver. The terrorist’ attack. The kidnapping, trafficking, molesting, abusing, raping, murdering... not from God. Period.

Don’t say, “Well God works in mysterious ways, we just have to trust His plan.” As if God was the instrument that orchestrated the wickedness. That’s foolishness!

Don’t tell Jack and Arlene their 21-year-old grandson got hit by a train and died because it was God’s plan. Because God needed another angel.

God doesn’t do stuff like that.

Ezekiel 33:11, says God doesn’t even take pleasure in the death of the wicked.

Jesus tells us in John 10:10, that it’s the devil that kills, steals and destroys, but He’s come to give life and life more abundantly.

All the time, God is good. Period.   

God cannot be tempted by evil because He has no evil desires—that’s where temptation comes from.

¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

We are tempted where we’re tempt-able.

Mark 4:19. In the parable of the Sower, the Seed on thorny ground got choked out by the desire for other things.

Temptation exposes our weakness.

(btw: Google algorithms do too.)  

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Lust of flesh, lust of eye, pride of life.

We burn where we’re flammable.

However, there are fireproof desires that walk us through the fire without so much as the smell of smoke kindled upon us.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart

Luke 22:42
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

We’re tempted by our own lusts, our own desires, so get rid of our own desires, and get God’s desires. The more we make our desires His desires, the less we’ll be tempt-able, since God is untemptable.

Lord, help us to live by Psalm 37:4.

 ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Desire for pleasure may not be sin, but overindulging gives it birth.

Sexual sin.

It starts with a flirt, a drink after work, and then, the next thing you know, you’re getting a divorce.

Online, it’s a lingering look at that seductive ad. Then, you give it a click. That’s all it takes for the devilish algorithms to feed your lust. But lust is never satisfied, the next thing you know you’re sneaking a peak in the middle of the night when you think know one is looking, but God is grieving. The craving leads to chatting and birthing a vile addiction to porn.  

What about innocent desires for pleasure?

Recreational pleasure starts out just fine, taking time to unwind. Play a few rounds. Have some fun with family and friends.

Moderation is marvelous.

But passion for pleasure is always hungry, it seems so innocent, while it steals our time with Him, His Word, His Church. It seems so small while it devours our rent and leaves us at odds with the grown up, responsible parts of God’s Word:

Romans 13:8. “Owe no man nothing but to love him.”                    

Proverbs 3:27. “Withhold not good from those to whom it is due.”

Sin destroys our word and witness and brings death to whatever it touches, sexually, recreationally, relationally, financially, emotionally, physically, especially Spiritually.

Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death.

Triumph Over Temptation

The Lord in His Love and Wisdom recorded some examples so we can triumph over temptation.

Eve: Walk away

Adam and Eve yielded to temptation and brought death to the planet.

Genesis 3:6
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate

Dear Eve. As soon as the snake contradicts God’s Word, walk away. End of conversation. Do not try to disciple a snake. You will get bit.

Adam: Confront

Dear Adam, a husbandman, is responsible for the vineyard entrusted to him. It’s his job to water and weed and watch for snakes.

To prune, to provide, to nourish, to help to grow, healthy, safely, and bear much fruit.

 If your wife or child or family is talking to a snake, stand up, step in, speak Truth

Confront, unafraid, unashamed.

Pay attention. If they’re watching or listening to something they shouldn’t—stop it. It’s your job.

Cain: Overcome

Cain yielded to temptation and became the cursed first murderer on earth, killing his own brother.

Temptation came and God stepped in, spoke up, and told him sin lies at the door and you must overcome it.

Dear Cain, overcome. Stop the anger, the hate while it’s still just a seed, or it will fester into rage and curse you to death.

Joseph: Flee

Joseph resisted temptation and saved many people alive. Genesis 50:20.

Temptation came and Joseph fled. “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God.” Genesis 39:9.

Well done dear Joseph.

No sin is innocent. It is malignant.

It is a great wickedness against God.

Jesus: Wield the Sword

Jesus triumphed over temptation, making Life available to all, by wielding the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, the only offensive weapon in the armor of God. Ephesians 6:17.

Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. When He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. When hunger returns after that long of a fast, it is a sign the body is starving to death, it has nothing left and is starting to eat itself.   

Then, when His body was the weakest, the devil came to tempt Him.

What good will You do if You starve to death? If You’re really the Son of God, turn these stones to bread.

Physically weak, but Spiritually strong, Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

But the devil wasn’t done. Some won’t fall into sin for the flesh, but will for their job. So, the devil took Him to the top of the temple and brought out the big guns, waxed eloquent and quoted Scripture. If You’re really the Son of God, show Yourself, prove Yourself, jump down, for it is written, He shall give His angels charge over You, and, in their hands they shall bear You up, lest You dash Your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12).  

Jesus didn’t blink. It is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to a foolish test. (Deuteronomy 6:16).

Then the devil was desperate. If He won’t fall for lies, maybe He’ll compromise. Okay fine, You came to save the world, I’ll give it to You. Just bow to me.

Jesus didn’t hesitate. GET BEHIND ME YOU SLIMY SNAKE. IT IS WRITTEN THOU SHALT WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE!!! (Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy 10:20, Joshua 24:14).

Jesus went into the wilderness led by the Spirit, but after triumphing over temptation, He returned in the Power of the Spirit. Luke 4:14.

Let’s go and do likewise.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for triumphing over temptation, so with the help of Your Holy Spirit we can too. Thank You for filling our hearts with Your desires as we delight in You. So, Your greatest desire is fulfilled; that of all those You’ve given us, none are lost.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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