And When You Pray/And Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil - Part 2 - 10/24/2021

 October 24, 2021 Front Porch Meetings Readying for Return - No pressure Pastor's Pandemic Letter Fabulous Appreciation - Thank you from Me and Michelle & Family And Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil Matthew 6:13 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. James 1:2 - 4 2 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. James 1: 13-15 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. START HERE Petition #6 Today, we're continuing our teaching on the last petition found in the Lord's Prayer. It is the 6th Petition found in Matthew 6:13 . . . and it reads: NKJV 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil [or, the evil one]: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. The focus of this petition is on understanding temptation and applying God's deliverance from it. Ultimately, this petition is about embracing God's holiness and while enjoying God's divine protection. We'll understand all this better as our discussion of this petition unfolds. When we're last together, my address of this petition was intended to tenderize our hearts to ready us for receiving some radical truths about what Jesus meant when He instructed us to pray in Matthew 9:13: 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: This week, we are ready to go "all in" in our understanding and application of petition #6. In the way of a quick review, let me remind of what we've already talked about thus far. So, regarding praying: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil .... on its face, it looks like we're asking or begging God to do something that contradicts His nature and character: "To lead us not into temptation." * Does God lead us into temptation? Is He leading us into temptation? * Are we asking God to not lead us somewhere that He Himself does not want us to go or be, yet He would allow it? * You mean, we have to ask God to lead us not into temptation? And if we don't ask Him, does that mean we are prone to be tempted? Does it leave us vulnerable to temptation? All of these rationalizations couldn't be further from the truth. Yet, Matthew 6:13 could become more confusing when paired with James 1:13 which says: 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. It is not in God's nature to tempt me or you to sin! So, why does it sound like we are asking Him to lead us not into temptation in Matthew 6, verse 13? The truth is that this verse is not telling us to pray to God to lead us not into temptation as if He might; or to deliver us from evil as if we are hopelessly subject to evil. Not at all. Rather, this petition is saying - "In addition to praying Petitions 4 and 5, which are: Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us as we forgive -- It is right to pray "Petition #6 which asks God for guidance and protection from evil. They all work together for our divine existence. "Lead us not into temptation" does not mean that God tempts His children because (James 1:13 says: God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. So, what are we saying or asking here? In this petition, we are asking God to guide us so that we won't get out of His will and get involved in situations of temptation (1 John 5:18) or even in situations of tempting God so that He has to [or must] miraculously rescue us. (Matt. 4:5-7). Other ways of looking at it would be that we are praying to God in this way: * "Lord, Don't leave me to be tempted, but deliver me from every evil encounter by going with me through them." (I must remember that You will not put more on me than I can bear. And, You will always supply me with what I need to do Your will. Even a way of escape. Or * As You are leading me, there are times I will invariably and imminently encounter temptation. But lead me through it. Give me the wisdom to recognize Your hand and Your prefixed escape. or * God, You are leading us. As You lead us, as you lead me, even in that leading I will encounter temptation(s) along the way, but deliver me unscathed from intended evil that is designed to set me back or overthrow me. The bottom line to Petition #6 is that when we pray it as Jesus intended, then in our hearts we are expressing a healthy, honest distrust in our own ability and power to resist temptations or to stand against it under trial. We are acknowledging complete dependence on God for preservation and protection when we pray lead us not into temptation. And when we add "But deliver us from the evil one", we are crying out of our hearts for daily salvation and deliverance from sin, temptation and, Satan's schemes as we strive to live holy lives for God. This should be the prayer of every child of God. It should be prayed as passionately as we pray: Let Thy Kingdom come in its fullness. So, this part of the petition should too be prayed fervently by Believers in desperate desire to be kept from sin by the power of God. So, to simplify for application purposes, we are instructed by our Lord to pray: Lord in our daily walk, protect us from yielding to imminent temptation of all kinds (especially those from the evil one), but bless me to place my trust in You as the only One who can completely deliver me and all of Your children from evil . . . the evil one and evil ways. Don't let me be tempted to trust in my self or my resources for deliverance, but to trust in You only who alone delivers from all and every evil and temptation. Jeremiah 10:23 & 24 23 O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. 24 O Lord, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing. Protect me from myself. Bless me to never trust myself, or smarts or resources. Bless me never to lean unto my own understanding, but in all my ways to acknowledge You. Now, one thing that should be made clear and that is that though God does not tempt us with evil, He does sometimes allow us to be led into the place where temptation will be faced or encountered. Don't think that God always navigates us around temptation. If He did, our Christian life would be totally uneventful and unrealistic. And we know that is not true. In fact, we do know that "All who will live godly, shall suffer persecution." (harassment) 1. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2. 2 Corinthians 12:10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 3. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 We proudly tell God's other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. How many of you believe that though God does not tempt us with evil, He does sometimes allow us to be led into the place where temptation will be faced or encountered? It doesn't mean that God is tempting us. What it means is that He is allowing us to be . Let's now look more holistically at how temptation, trials, and tests work in our Christian walk. First, not all temptation is from Satan; A good bit of our encounters with temptation is actually allowed by God and for good reason. The more we understand this the better we will be at recognizing a temptation and thus able to defeat it. Let's turn to the Book of James for a little help. I want to deal with the Three "Ts" ~ Temptations - Trials - Tests, better known as the Terms of Temptation. Again, all temptation is not from Satan - though often thought to be. Some temptation is, some isn't. In fact, for the believer, a majority of it isn't. Some temptation is common to man - a fact life and life's choices. 1 Cor. 10; James 1:14 And some temptation is directly from Satan, but only as allowed by God. Peter asked to be sifted by Satan (Luke 22:31) Job and Satan's declaration of a hedge of protection; And Jesus Himself being driven into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. First and foremost, when it comes to temptation we are instructed to discern and understand what temptation is all about. That's why James 1:2 - 4 says: 2 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. "Count it all Joy" - The Gr word for "count" may also be translated "consider" or "evaluate". The natural human response to trials is not to rejoice; therefore, the believer must make a conscious commitment to face trials with joy (see note Phil 3:1; Paul learned to face his trials with an attitude of delight and confidence in the Lord. His conclusion: ). Trials - This Gr word denotes trouble or something that breaks the pattern of peace, comfort, joy, and happiness in someone's life. It sobers up your walk with God. The verb form of this word means "to put someone or something to the test," with the purpose of discovering that person's nature or that thing's quality. God brings such tests to us to prove - and increase - the strength and quality of our faith and to demonstrate its validity and legitimacy (James vv. 2-12). Every trial becomes a test of faith designed to strengthen the Believer: if we as Believers fail the test by wrongly responding, that test then becomes a temptation, or a solicitation to evil (see notes on vv 13-15). [Every trial is accompanied by two things: A way of escape and a way of evil enticement or entrapment.]. In every trial God builds in a way of escape. (Joseph and Potiphers wife; David and Bathsheba. 1:3 Testing - This means "proof," or "proving" (see Introduction Outline). 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Patience - Better translated "endurance" or "perseverance." Through tests, a Christian will learn to withstand tenaciously the pressure of a trial until God removes it at His appointed time and even cherish the benefit. (see notes on 2 Cor 12:7-10). Perfect - Not a reference to sinless perfection (3:2), but to spiritual maturity. James 1: 13-15 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. Temptation (James 1:12) - This better translated "trials" (v.2). "Approved" here means "passed the test". The believer has successfully and victoriously gone through his trials, indicating he is genuine because hi faith has endured like Job's. James 1: 13-15 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. James 1:13 . . . The same Greek word translated "trials" (vv. 2-12) is also translated "temptation" here. James' point is that every difficult circumstance that enters a believer's life can either strengthen him if he obeys God and remains confident in His care or become a solicitation to evil if the believer chooses instead to doubt God and disobey His Word: A trial turns into a temptation when we How does disobedience look: * by thus leaning to his own understanding, * by following or being drawn away by his lusts, and * by opting to not take God's way of escape, but rather * to fulfill his own strong desires of the human soul to enjoy or acquire something to fulfill the flesh and its lustful wants. God cannot be tempted. God by His holy nature has o capacity for evil, or vulnerability to it (Hab 1:13; Lev 19:2; Is 6:3; 1Peter 1:16). "does He Himself tempt anyone" - God purposes trials to occur and in them He allows temptation to happen, but He has promised not to allow more than believers can endure and never without a way to escape ((1 Cor. 10:13). They choose whether to take the escape God provides or to give in (see note on v. 14; 2 Sam. 24:1; 1 Chr. 21:1). Drawn away 1:14 - This Gr. Word was used to describe wild game being lured into traps. Just as animals can be drawn to their deaths by attractive baits, temptation promises people something good, which is actually harmful. His own desires - This refers to lust, the strong desires of the human soul to enjoy or acquire something to fulfill the flesh. Man's fallen nature has the propensity to strongly desire whatever sin will satisfy it (see notes on Rom 7:8-25). "His own" describes the individual nature of lust - it is different for each person because of inherited tendencies, environment, upbringing, and personal choices. "the Gr. Grammar also indicates that these "desires" are the direct agent or cause of one's sinning (Matt. 15:18-20). Enticed - A fishing term that means "to capture" or "to catch with bait" (2 Pet. 2:14, 18). It is a parallel to "drawn away". 1:15 Sin is not merely a spontaneous act, but the result of a process. The Gr. Words for "has conceived" and "brings forth" liken the process to physical conception and birth. Thus, James personifies temptation and shows that it can follow a similar sequence and produce sin with all its deadly results. While sin does not result in spiritual death for the believers, it can lead to physical death (1 Cor 11:30; 1 John 5:16). 1:16 Do not be deceived - the Gr expression refers to erring, going astray, or wandering Christians are not to make the mistake of blaming God rather than themselves for their sin. 1 Cor. 10:12 & 13 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [d]bear it. We can see this very plainly in Luke Chapter 4: verses 1-3 Luke 4:1 New King James Version 4 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, [Why? To Be Tempted by the devil] 2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. Now here Jesus was being led by God the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. So, where was He being led? He was being led to and into a place or condition of temptation. Could this be us Believers from time to time in our walk with the Lord. That God would lead us into a condition of temptation? And why would He? First of all, as it was in Jesus' case, God the Holy Spirit was doing the leading. God drove Him into the wilderness. So, it is with us - if, we have to encounter or endure temptation - which is an unavoidable part of the Christian life - would it not be best that God is doing the leading [standing with us] -- whereby three things are in play when God allows temptations: 1. He is controlling the degree of temptation-severity 2. He is also determining the kind of temptation we face (none are just random beyond those that are common to man) 3. He provides a level of protective equipping that He fortifies us with - in order for us to go through and come out of the temptation unscathed. After all, God has declared in 1 Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. This is not a general promise that includes non-Christians; rather it is a promise that is made exclusively to God's children. God has promised to protect all of His children by guaranteeing them a way of escape from the hand of temptation. Under God's escape plan, temptation will always lose. Anytime temptation gets the best of a believer it is because the believer willingly surrenders to it. And in every case, temptation is surprised to overcome a believer because it is very aware of God's escape for them. Jewish parallels suggest that "Do not bring us into temptation" may be colloquial or native for "Do not let us be overcome by temptation" or "Do not let our faith be tested beyond what it can bear." James 1:2, 3, 13,14 shows that "temptation" can have a negative or positive purpose. The negative purpose is an enticement to sin. The positive temptation would be to the strengthening of our faith. God is about strengthening our faith through trials; but Satan is about destroying us through planting temptations. James1:2, 3 NLT 2:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1: 13, 14 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. More Palatable Application . . . 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. This verse challenges our thinking, but we need not make it more complicated than it is by reading into it more that Jesus intended for us to. Here are some ways to comprehend and get a grasp of how we should incorporate understanding of this verse into our prayers: First it is saying: * "Don't leave me to be tempted, but deliver me from every evil encounter by going with me through them." (I must remember that You will not put more on me than I can bear. And, You will always supply me with what I need to do Your will. Even a way of escape. * As You are leading me, there are times I will invariably and imminently encounter temptation. But lead me through it. Give me the wisdom to recognize Your hand and Your prefixed escape. * God, You are leading us. As You lead us, as you lead me, even in that leading I will encounter temptation(s) along the way, but deliver me unscathed from intended evil that is designed to set me back or overthrow me. * Remember: Luke 22:31-34 31 [d]And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 33 But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." 34 Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me." [But Luke gives a little help on interpretation (then we dive in deeper). Luke 11:4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation."] I wish I was in a conventional Saturday morning live classroom where I could have you to work on verse 13 in groups. * It is right to pray for daily physical needs, for forgiveness, and for guidance and protection from evil. "Lead us not into temptation" does not mean that God tempts His children (James 1:13-17). In this petition, we are asking God to guide us so that we will not get out of His will and get involved in situations of temptation (1 John 5:18) or even in situations of tempting God so that He must miraculously rescue us. (Matt. 4:5-7). Remember (MacArthur) God does not tempt men (James 1:3), but He will subject them to trials that may expose them to Satan's assaults, as in the case of Job and Peter (Luke 22:31-32). This petition reflects the believing one's desire to avoid the dangers of sin altogether. God knows what one's need is be one asks (v.8), and He promises that no one will be subjected to testing beyond what can be endured. He also promises a way of escape - often through endurance (1 Cor. 10:13). But still, the proper attitude for the believer is the one expressed in this petition. Rely on God's strength. Only He is able to lead us through temptation and to deliver us from its evil. Part 2 Notes God leads men in His path ad along His path there is temptation that He guides me through temptation. As long as I keep my eyes on Him and remain in His path of righteousness temptation will never get the best of me. Jesus was led by God into the path of temptation. We too are prone by God to be led or cross paths with someone . . . Should we ask God not to lead us in the path of temptation? Why does God allow us to go through temptation: * To make us be better warriors in spiritual warfare * To sharpen our warfare * To expose us to higher artillery * To teach our hands to war and grow stronger Temptation is a training ground. God will protect baby Christians but at the appropriate time - we all will face our share of measured temptation. (Like a body builder, or marathon runner). I don't believe we are always under uncommon temptation. Rather that most of the temptation we face is common 1 Cor. 10:13. What is the meaning of this petition? (Hebrew Poetic writing restates in different language the same thing twice - "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. (Of course if God kingdom comes, His will will be done). "Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil - the evil one. "As you are leading me, God - you may lead me to a place of temptation; but don't just lead me into temptation, but lead me through it to the other side. (But don't just lead me to it or in it, but deliver me through it.). The prayer petition is not: Don't let me be tempted or face temptation. It might be your will. But, Dear Lord, Whatever temptations you intend for me to face, please lead me completely, safely in it and through it. So that the temptation, the evil one will not be successful in bringing me down or destroying me. Dear Lord, whatever templates you wish for me to face - pleas safely take me through them so that I don't succumb. Don't leave me in the clutches of the enemy. What is presupposed here is that we need God in order to resist. Temptation cannot be resisted or overcome in our strength without Jesus - no sin is to be overcome. Other religions are trying to resist wrong temptation without God. They try by good behavior - but without the Holy Spirit, they will never overcome temptation or sin that leads to evil. (more) Some common temptation we can overcome with will power; but uncommon temptation . . . pride, lust, jealousy, greed, anger . . . Sin is where we obey self instead of God. No one can resist temptation or sin without God. Prayer is the believer's most potent weapon - in his walk and in the midst of warfare. Jesus said to His disciples Peter, James and John watch with me . . stay awake that you enter not into temptation. If you do stay awake and pray, you will overcome this temptation (and have the resources to do so). But if you don't stay awake , you will fall -- be overcome. Three essential petitions for man: * Daily Bread * Forgiveness * Holiness - temptation God didn't rapture us as soon as we were saved, but reserved us for this time to be warriors in His army against sin. Lord, don't let us be lead into temptation, but you alone - deliver us from temptation (from being tempted). Matthew 6:13b For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. In most ancient manuscripts this sentence is lacking. However, such a doxology is in the perfect ending to the prayer and is in most manuscripts." This verse could be said to be the foundation of the pray that prayer stands upon no other foundation than God alone. The Narrow Path One reason is because it seems TEMPTATON Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1. Judges 2:3 So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you." In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 2. Matthew 4:1 The Temptation of Jesus Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 3. Matthew 6:13 And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 4. Matthew 18:7 "What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 5. Matthew 26:41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!" In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 6. Mark 1:9 The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 7. Mark 14:38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 8. Luke 4:1 The Temptation of Jesus Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 9. Luke 8:13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 10. Luke 11:4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation." In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 11. Luke 17:1 Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 12. Luke 22:40 There he told them, "Pray that you will not give in to temptation." In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 13. Luke 22:46 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation." In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 14. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 15. Galatians 6:1 We Harvest What We Plant Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 16. 1 Timothy 6:9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 17. James 1:12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations 18. James 1:14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations Luke 11 New Living Translation Teaching about Prayer 11:1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." 2 Jesus said, "This is how you should pray: "Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. 3 Give us each day the food we need, 4 and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation." 5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.' 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, 'Don't bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can't help you.' 8 But I tell you this-though he won't do it for friendship's sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.[d] 9 "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 "You fathers-if your children ask[e] for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." James 1 New Living Translation Greetings from James 1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the "twelve tribes"-Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Faith and Endurance 2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 9 Believers who are[b] poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong,[c] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.[d] He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.[e] 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.[f] 1