In a world marked by uncertainty and suffering, the call to persevere through trials seems impossible. The chief purpose of James’ letter to the scattered Jewish believers was to offer encouragement in the midst of such challenges. Perseverance emerges as the central theme, bookending his entire message to believers spread across Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa. From the outset, James directs his words to those enduring persecution for their faith, urging them to remain steadfast and to trust in God’s faithfulness despite the hardships they face.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 (NIV)
According to James, the testing of our faith produces perseverance by strengthening and refining our character. When believers face trials, these challenges are not meant to defeat them but to develop endurance and maturity in their spiritual life. Each time we face a challenge and overcome it, its hold over us lessens. When we struggle through difficulties and still prevail, our perseverance grows, leading us towards greater wisdom, deeper understanding, and stronger reliance on God.
For many, trials become the very reason they drift away from God. Just as some of Jesus’ disciples turned back when His teaching became too difficult, so too today, when the way of faith seems too demanding, people use hardship as justification to walk away. Trials, in that sense, often serve as the excuse for those already unwilling to endure the cost of following Him.
Yet the deeper question remains—why do we face trials at all? Their purpose is not to drive us from God but to shape perseverance within us. They teach us to keep moving forward even when the path is difficult. Frequently, when God is about to work in our lives, the enemy sets obstacles before us to blind us from seeing His hand. But when we endure, we gain wisdom, our faith is strengthened, and our dependence on God grows, equipping us for what lies ahead.
Asking from the LORD
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
James 1:6-7 (NIV)
It may appear that James is calling for blind faith when he speaks about asking in faith. Many interpret this to mean that without faith, they cannot expect to receive anything, treating faith almost like a currency to exchange for answered prayers. Yet often this kind of belief is driven by desperation rather than a deep-rooted experience of God’s work in their lives. This passage has often led people to simply proclaim faith without truly experiencing God. They assume that if they lack faith, their prayer requests will go unanswered. As a result, they put on a façade of faith instead of cultivating the deep-rooted faith that Jesus wants to take root in their hearts.
In today’s world, with shrinking attention spans and people reading Scripture only through social media posts or even refrigerator magnets, we often overlook the preceding verse, which speaks about asking God for wisdom. James’ advice about asking in faith is oftentimes misapplied to worldly desires that actually separate us from God, rather than to wisdom that draws us closer to Him through perseverance.
When people are honest about their faith, as seen in the example of the father who came to Jesus for his demon-possessed son (Mark 9:14-29), they can learn from God and grow in Him. This is far removed from treating God as part of a transactional, quid pro quo relationship—like a country expecting rare earth minerals in exchange for supplying ammunition.
Temptations
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:13-15 (NIV)
Temptation does not come from God but people often associate temptation directly with satan. James makes it clear that the real root lies within us—our own evil desires. These desires draw us away and entice us, and when acted upon, they lead to sin, which ultimately results in death. Even in the garden, Eve already desired the forbidden fruit before the serpent spoke to her, showing that temptation begins in the heart. The evil one may exploit or amplify those desires, but it is our own inner cravings that open the door to temptation. We should ask God to remove our evil desires, because our trials are usually brought upon us by those very desires. Instead of seeking superficial blessings that pull us closer to our worldly desires, we must seek the wisdom of the Lord, which equips us to resist temptation.
James urges believers to remain patient and steadfast as they await the Lord’s return, illustrating this with vivid examples. He compares their perseverance to a farmer who must wait through the autumn and spring rains for the land to yield its valuable harvest, showing that growth takes time. He also points to the prophets, who endured hardships while faithfully speaking God’s word, and to Job, whose unwavering faith through intense suffering was ultimately met with the God’s compassion and mercy. Through these examples, James encourages the church to trust in God’s timing, persevere through trials, and maintain integrity in their speech, letting their “Yes” be yes and their “No” be no, avoiding oaths that could lead to condemnation.
Grumbling to Our Detriment
Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
James 5:9 (NIV)
When we grumble against others, we are in fact grumbling against the grace of God that rests upon them. We question why God blesses the wicked or why His favour seems to rest on those we think undeserving. In doing so, we fail to recognise and underestimate His grace.
Grumbling against our fellow believers is also the reason for the lack of growth we often see in our spiritual lives. When we allow hatred and jealousy to consume us, we focus on criticizing how others follow God or on what we perceive as their shortcomings. This preoccupation distracts us from examining our own walk with God, as we spend time murmuring and mentally building our case against them (either publicly or in our minds), instead of pursuing personal spiritual growth.
Cain harbored jealousy toward his brother Abel, and though his anger began in his heart, it ultimately drove him to commit murder. Likewise, the Israelites frequently grumbled against God and Moses in the wilderness, complaining about food, water, and their hardships; their discontent and lack of trust hindered their journey with God, with many dying before reaching the Promised Land. Even the Pharisees, who devoted much of their time to criticizing and grumbling against Jesus, were unable to recognize the Messiah they had long awaited.
Our grumbling attitude directly opposes the greatest commandment of loving others, because harboring resentment or hatred—even if expressed only in private—hinders us from showing genuine love and care. If we are unable to truly love our fellow human beings, God’s creations, how can we effectively serve them? Jesus calls us not to rule over others with an iron sword and force them to change their ways, but to serve them to help them understand the right path and leading them closer to the ways of the Father.
Therefore, before proclaiming God’s Word, we must first ask Him for His Wisdom, His Spirit to lead us. We must understand that every good and perfect gift comes from God alone, who is unchanging and faithful. Understanding of this truth gives us new life, making us like firstfruits, set apart for Him. In times of trial, we must hold firmly to this truth, that wisdom from God enables us to understand His Word which will help us remain steadfast in Him.
Discussion Topics
- How does the testing of faith lead to the growth of perseverance?
- Why do some use trials as a reason to turn away from God?
- Is James urging believers to practise a kind of blind faith when they pray?
- From where do our temptations truly arise?
- In what way can grumbling against fellow believers bring harm upon ourselves?
The Jordan Valley 
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