Wisdom for Living: The Test of Faith

Accept that trials are inevitable – when you fall into various trials

• When – denotes time and circumstances
• Fall into – to light upon something that is all around you
• Trials – affliction, persecution, or trial of any kind; a putting to proof by experiment, experience, or discipline; same as temptation in verse 12

Approach the trial with the proper attitude – count it all joy

• Count – to lead; command with official authority; deem or consider
• Joy – cheerfulness; calm delight

Appreciate what the trial is producing – knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

• Knowing – to be aware, perceive, be resolved, and understand
• Testing – proof of genuineness; the discipline to purge faith of dross (worthless matter) and strip away what is false.
• The trial produces patience – cheerful endurance and constancy; fortitude and perseverance to stay under and endure.

In every trial, learn to L.A.S.T.

Let patience work

• Patience – cheerful endurance and constancy; fortitude and perseverance to stay under and endure.
• Perfect – (not sinless) fully mature; to set out for a definite point or goal
• Complete – holos = all; kleros – broken parts
• Lacking nothing – nothing left, nothing absent, and nothing failing

Ask for wisdom

• Wisdom – clarity and comprehensive insight into the true nature of things; the proper and practical application of knowledge
• In this context, wisdom is spiritual understanding of the purpose of the trial
• Reproach – mocking, ridiculing, scolding, or insulting

Stay in faith

• Faith – persuasion, assurance, belief, and conviction in religious truth or the truthfulness of God
• Doubting – (KJV = wavering) to separate thoroughly; internal conflict that produces hesitation, misgivings; wavering between hope and fear
• 4:14 – being tossed to and fro is a mark of childishness and immaturity
• Double-minded – two-spirited; vacillating between two opinions (belief and disbelief)

Trust God – The promise of verse five – it will be given!

The Bible Exposition Commentary:

Our values determine our evaluations.  If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us.  If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to “count it all joy.”  If we live only for the present and forget the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better.  So, when trials come, immediately give thanks to the Lord and adopt a joyful attitude.  Do not pretend; simply look at trials through the eyes of faith.  Outlook determines outcome; so to end with joy you must begin with joy.