James 1:16-18
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a] 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures
The preceding verses in this chapter address the fact that the Enemy of our souls presents temptations in the midst of our trials. He sends the temptation in an attempt to thwart God's purpose in the trial. God's purpose is to make us perfect....Satan's is to make us fall.
The root of most every temptation can be found in these verses....the temptation to doubt the goodness of God.
And to be truthful, we are very easy to deceive!
When we are suffering in a trial, the Enemy wants us to doubt God's goodness, His capability to help, His faithfulness. And to believe that something (or someone) else is the answer to the bleak feeling in our soul.
So James reminds us of the Truth.
The Truth about God's character.
1. His goodness to us. He only gives good gifts. Sometimes we are confused by the package they come in, but we need to know that everything He gives us is good. And if there is a gift we are seeking but He is withholding, well, then, it isn't what it seems because No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11)
2. His power for us. When James describes God as the Father of Lights, it is helpful to know that not only does the word "lights" convey energy, warmth, and light, this word specifically means THE SOURCE of light - one that is never kindled, never quenched....it gives the light. Surely this Source is able to keep His promises to us!
3. His consistency with us. No variation or shifting shadow...no natter what our circumstances, God's Word is always true. He is not a respecter of persons and He never changes. He is always good. Always powerful. Always loving.
4. His Love towards us. He chose us. Not because He had to but because He delighted to. Of His will, He chose us. He doesn't love us because He made us.....He made us because He loves us.
During a trial, it's hard to hold onto to the truth. We get distracted by our pain. And that makes it easy to fall for the temptation to doubt God's character.
Don't let that happen to you.
Everything God does is good. He loves you. He is able to keep His promises. Always.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[a] 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures
The preceding verses in this chapter address the fact that the Enemy of our souls presents temptations in the midst of our trials. He sends the temptation in an attempt to thwart God's purpose in the trial. God's purpose is to make us perfect....Satan's is to make us fall.
The root of most every temptation can be found in these verses....the temptation to doubt the goodness of God.
And to be truthful, we are very easy to deceive!
When we are suffering in a trial, the Enemy wants us to doubt God's goodness, His capability to help, His faithfulness. And to believe that something (or someone) else is the answer to the bleak feeling in our soul.
So James reminds us of the Truth.
The Truth about God's character.
1. His goodness to us. He only gives good gifts. Sometimes we are confused by the package they come in, but we need to know that everything He gives us is good. And if there is a gift we are seeking but He is withholding, well, then, it isn't what it seems because No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11)
2. His power for us. When James describes God as the Father of Lights, it is helpful to know that not only does the word "lights" convey energy, warmth, and light, this word specifically means THE SOURCE of light - one that is never kindled, never quenched....it gives the light. Surely this Source is able to keep His promises to us!
3. His consistency with us. No variation or shifting shadow...no natter what our circumstances, God's Word is always true. He is not a respecter of persons and He never changes. He is always good. Always powerful. Always loving.
4. His Love towards us. He chose us. Not because He had to but because He delighted to. Of His will, He chose us. He doesn't love us because He made us.....He made us because He loves us.
During a trial, it's hard to hold onto to the truth. We get distracted by our pain. And that makes it easy to fall for the temptation to doubt God's character.
Don't let that happen to you.
Everything God does is good. He loves you. He is able to keep His promises. Always.