JAMES

JOY – TEMPTATION – PATIENCE – WANTING NOTHING

Friday – January 16, 2026

Video link: https://youtu.be/NZYqmswigcs

Greetings precious saints of God and welcome back to this wonderful Bible Study of the Book of James. Yesterday I discussed the idea of counting it much joy when we find ourselves surrounded by various temptations. I might mention that it is important when we become aware that we are being tempted, that we discern the origin and purpose. Are we the one who has brought the temptation upon ourself. Is this God proving us so He can promote us and bring us into more fulness of His promises, His Kingdom, Heaven upon the earth life. Or is this the demons wanting to bring us down, to steal, kill, and destroy in our lives. As we move into our text let me bring one further thing to light. Even when we have caused ourselves to be surrounded by temptation there are generally demons speaking encouragement to sin.   

 James 1:1-4 (KJV)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

We can have joy in the midst of temptation due to the knowledge of the reward that manifests in passing the test, proving our faith, strengthening our patience. If our faith does not waver or fail it also means that our love did not waver or fail. This takes knowledge, focus, and a steadfast love of God. I am not talking about what the world calls love that waxes and wanes dependent upon circumstances and emotional states. I am talking about Divine love, agape/agapao which demands obedience to Scripture, a selfless lifestyle, and living the Blood Covenant. Get my book “Awake, Arise, and Triumph – Be Love” for further study.

As we examine and meditate on verse three of our text, we find three words perhaps we think we could do without. They are “trying”, “faith”, and “patience”. To try something is to prove it, to determine if it is what it says it is. Faith is being fully persuaded of a thing, in this case the Word of God. Being fully persuaded means that in your mind, and in your mouth, there is only one possible outcome and that is what the Word of God says. Many people say they have faith, but their lives do not share that testimony. Jesus said, “you shall know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16). Not what they say but what is manifesting in their lives.

This brings us to that word that many dread, patience. Most promises take time to manifest. First, we have to be in alignment to receive the promise. We must be fully persuaded. Remember that God has to work with other people in many cases to bring the promise into fruition. This word patience is different than the patience referenced in the fruits of the spirit. This Greek word transliterated to English is hypomonē meaning cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy according toStrong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. It’s root word means to stay under to stay under according to Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. Stay under what? The Scripture! Did you notice the word cheerful while we are in the testing, the crucible. Now comes the icing on the cake, sometimes a bitter cake but none the less a great reward.

James 1:4 (KJV)

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Don’t you like that “wanting nothing” phrase? Is He exaggerating? Of course, not but you have to meet the qualifiers.

TAKE HOME:

1. Engage every temptation with joy knowing there is great reward for the successful proving of your faith.
2. Remember that faith is being fully persuaded that what the Word says is the only possible outcome.
3. When we do not waver in faith, in love, we will be wanting nothing. If your life is lacking, ask the Lord for wisdom.
   Lord willing, I will resume right here Monday.  Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.

By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice

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