Don’t blame God — He’s not the bad guy!

Greetings Friend,

       “Consider it all Joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (temptations – KJV), knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

       May I teach for a minute? You’ve probably heard the erroneous sermon based on this scripture, that “God is giving you trials to make you strong, so thank Him for them.” That is not what this scripture is saying!

       James goes on to say in verse 13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’;” That Greek word for “tempted” in verse 13 is the same Greek word for “trials/temptations” in verse 2. In verse 2 it’s a noun and in verse 13 it’s a verb – other than that, it is the same word. God will NEVER put trials/temptations on you to do you good in the long run – Scripture says, “don’t EVER say that again!”

       The sermon based on James 1:2-4 should be something like this: “Satan, when you throw your junk at me it is an opportunity for me to trust God and see His Loving Power and Faithfulness in my life. Jesus overcame you – you are defeated and the Victory that Jesus accomplished on the Cross is mine in Him.”

       So, here’s the Encouragement: Let’s no longer blame God for causing, or even specifically allowing, the trouble our enemy is causing. Let’s “Submit therefore to God” – trust Him to comfort and bring peace in the midst of it, like He promises. And “resist the devil” and all the lies he is perpetrating, “and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

God bless,

Dave