Devotionals

Enduring the Temptation

by Dr. Brenda Robinson

January 4, 2012

Scripture Reading: James 1:12

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Enduring temptation is the key to receiving the blessing in the battle. The word endure means to under go, to sustain, to put up with, to tolerate and to bear. What is in your life that you feel you are having to bear? If we endure, we will then be able to overcome and be a product of God’s perfect work. Enduring temptation requires us to look for the good in the battle rather than grieve over the effects of the tragedy. Enduring temptation also allows the process of being tried to be effective in our life. As Christians we are destined to be tried. I Peter 1:7 says, “That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

The trials of our faith are those things that seem to pierce our hearts and cause us to blame and question God. It is hard to understand why God allows a little child to be born sick and handicapped. It is hard to understand God’s intentions when a marriage of many years ends in divorce. It is hard to fathom why little children are abused and even raped and molested. We even question why murderers go free, yet Christians are persecuted. We get disappointed when we see bad things happen to godly people. However, God is not to be blamed. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Are you blessed because you are mature enough to endure the temptation?