Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Marsha's Musings: Many Colored Trials (James 1:1, 2, 4 NKJV)

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:1-4 KJV)

The Greek word for various is defined in Strong's Concordance like this:


1) a various colours, variegated

2) of various sorts


Origin: of uncertain derivation
Part of speech: Adjective
Strong's: Of uncertain derivation; motley that is various in character: - divers manifold.


The Greek word for trials is defined as follows:

1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving

a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal. 4:14)

b) the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy

1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances

2) an internal temptation to sin

a) of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand

3) of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness

4) adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness

c) temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men

1) rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves


Origin: from G3985
Part of speech: Noun Masculine
Strong's: From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good] experience [of evil] solicitation discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: - temptation X try.

This covers ALL the unpleasantries of life in a fallen world.  It negates the teachings of the health and wealth teachers who seem to think the Bible teaches everything will come up roses if you have enough faith in God and demand it.  It negates the teaching of those who teach we can reach a state of sinless perfection on this earth.  Oh, they may try and use that verse above to prove it, but the meaning of perfect in this passage is mature.  If you read the Bible as a whole you will find that it doesn't teach sinless perfection, therefore to make this mean that here would contradict Scripture elsewhere and the Bible does not contradict itself.

So what am I supposed to do when trials come?  Count it all joy!  Why? Because it develops patience in me and patience will mature me as a Christian.  

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