📖 James 1:2–4 (KJV)
“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.”
💡 Breakdown:
- “Divers temptations” can also mean various trials or tests, not just literal temptations to sin.
- James is saying: when you’re tempted or tested, don’t just endure it—rejoice in it, because it’s shaping your strength and character.
- It’s not necessarily about giving thanks for the temptation, but rather in the midst of it, because of what it produces in you.
Here’s that same passage in a modern, clearer translation (NLT) that really drives home the meaning without the old-school language:
📖 James 1:2–4 (NLT – New Living Translation)
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
✅ Plain English Summary:
- Don’t resist the test—embrace it.
- Trials = training ground.
- Every challenge (even temptation) is a chance to level up spiritually.
“Temptation is training. Trials are tuition. Keep showing up.”
I know what you are thinking: Yes Kurt that is great and all but you only showed verses by James. Fair enough….
🧠 1 Peter 1:6–7 (NIV)
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith… may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
→ Trials (which include temptation) are like a refiner’s fire. They show what you’re really made of.
⚔️ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful… He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but… will also provide the way of escape.”
→ You’re never trapped. Every temptation is an arena where you get to choose. That’s power.
🛡️ Romans 5:3–4 (NLT)
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”
→ Problems = Growth. Temptation included.
😈 Temptations = Growth = Totally Normal part of life!
Biblically, temptation isn’t to be chased — but when it comes, don’t fear it. Meet it like a man who knows it’s a test of his mastery.
You don’t avoid the fire — you become the one who controls it.