November 6, 2025

James 1:2-3

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

How do you handle temptation? I would like to opine the above question should be personal and probing. In essence, we should provide our individual selves with an answer but only after regarding the matter intensely. Nonetheless, while doing, I think we should also consider what James said regarding the same. 

First, the writer encourages A Positive Approach, “count it all joy”. It may seem to some a bit paradoxical to marry joy and temptation in any linguistic format, however, James declared it as a very sensical component when facing trials. Further, James suggested we should be aware of A Perfect Assumption, “when ye fall into divers temptations”. This implies that the temptations “trials” will likely come. However, the Greek language here regarding the actual fall is aorist-subjunctive-active; meaning it is a hypothetical, simple action and at some point in time will or is taking place as a result of our movement. Conceptually, the hypothetical aspect of the construct lends itself to the idea of using ones imagination regarding what could happen. Finally, the writer said this is all part of A Prescribed Agenda, “that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” I know you have heard it said that “patience is a virtue”. Given that, we must further understand that patience is a much needed Christian attribute and a slice in the Fruit of the Spirit. Hence, trials are both allowed and presented by God to develop our patience. 

Therefore, my Christian friends, we can ill-afford to give up, in, or out when dealing with temptations. Until the next time, let us face our trial in faith, understanding the outcome is favorable toward our future. 

The Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, please guide us in and through each trial that we face, and sustain the patience we have as we work toward developing greater levels of the same. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Gardiner L. Sanders, Jr.

Senior Pastor

Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church

870-866-3848

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