The words “trial” and “temptation” both come from the same Greek word peirasmos. The Greek word is translated “temptation” in James 1: 13-14, but in vv. 2-11 the word is rendered “trials.” This is an example of polysemy, or multiple meanings of terms.¹ Trials are to be endured while temptations are to be avoided. This double meaning of peirasmos implies the need for spiritual discernment. It is interesting to note that the same situation can become a trial or a temptation depending on how one responds to it. Trials can become opportunities for growth of character and spiritual maturity but trials can also become temptations when we willingly disobey God and fall into sin, then blame God for enticing us.

TRIALS ARE OPPORTUNITIES

The focus of this article will be on the nature of trials and our proper response to trials that God allows to happen in our lives. Trials are opportunities to help us prove that our faith is genuine; they enable us to experience God in a way beyond intellectual apprehension; and they also afford an avenue for sharing testimonies with others.

The purpose of temptations is to make people sin. No wonder James wrote in his epistle, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil (for He is holy, pure and sinless), and He Himself does not tempt (make people sin) anyone” (1:13). On the other hand, the purpose of trials is to prove that our faith is genuine. According to James 1:12, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

In v. 2 those who undergo trials are called “my brothers” by the James. The term adelphos can refer to fellow countrymen, as Paul called his fellow Jews, but the overwhelming use in the New Testament and early Christian literature is of fellow Christians in contradistinction to the world at large.² Only those who are children of God can be exhorted to face trials with joy, because they have the assurance that God disciplines those He loves (Prov. 3: 11-12). Putting his trust on God testifies that he is born again and God is allowing him to demonstrate that he is approved by God.

According to Nystrom, “the Hebrew word that stands behind the Greek word “trials” (peirasmos) is nasah, which means to prove the quality or worth of someone or something through adversity.”³ Every time the child of God is tested he is given an opportunity to prove he has faith in God. A Christian who is victorious over trials proves that he does not only have objective faith, that is, he believes Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, it also proves that he has learned subjective faith – he puts his trust or dependence on God to overcome trials. Without trials, there is no opportunity of demonstrating this.

In overcoming trials, we are offered the opportunity to experience God as the only One who can be depended upon. For apart from God, we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). A Christian can know many things but intellectual knowledge is different from experiential knowledge. Knowing about God is different from knowing God. To be able to experience God is a treasure that has no substitute.

Verse 5 gives the key to overcoming trials: the wisdom that comes from God. Nystrom rightly comments, “Wisdom is allied to understanding God’s purposes and plan and indicates a determination to live accordingly. With wisdom we perceive that what the world calls misfortune, whatever its source, is an opportunity for God to bring about His purpose.”⁴ Seeking after and then gaining this wisdom is another priceless experience in the Christian’s journey of going through trials.

Endurance and perfection result from persevering through trials. This is not perfection according to some standard common to popular culture, but according to Christ’s standards. After overcoming trials, we can then have a testimony to share. I remember a Christian being fascinated by the numerous testimonies of her friends. She was moved to pray that God would also allow her to have something to share too. As soon as she made this prayer, God answered her prayer by letting her experience trials. Indeed we have to be careful what we ask for.

And yet we must beware of the following pitfalls in this way of thinking about trials: (1) We must not see trials as a sign of our election, so that we seek out trials in an effort to prove election to ourselves or others; (2) We must not see trials as necessarily the tool of Satan, for God can and does use sickness and infirmity to test us (II Cor. 12:7-10, John 9:1-2); (3) Poverty must not be considered as purely negative, for it can help shape and mold our character (vv. 9-11).

TRIALS: A VICTORY

Having classified the situation as a “trial” means that the Christian has overcome the situation and is now a victor. Yet at the same time he recognizes that without God, he can not do anything. Trials have afforded the opportunity to depend on the Lord and He has shown that He can see us through, testifying to the truth that “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Phil. 4: 13).

Let us end with a story⁵ of one who came out a victor under trying circumstances. Judy Hyland grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota. She gave her life to Christ as a high school student and soon made a commitment to world missions. On October 5, 1940, she set sail for China with nine other Lutheran missionaries.

Their ship was redirected to the Philippines because of Japan’s war against China. They settled in the mountain city of Baguio and immersed themselves in the difficult task of learning Chinese, still hoping to go to China. But soon Japanese bombers were attacking the city of Baguio, just as news of the Pearl Harbor incident reached them. The Japanese captured Judy and approximately five hundred other Americans and held them captive from December 1941 to February 1945. First, they were held at a U.S. military rest camp (till May 1942), then to a Filipino camp in Baguio (till December 1944), and finally to the Old Bilibid Prison in Manila until February 1945. They fought hunger and boredom and were cut off from the rest of the world. They struggled with feelings of hatred toward the Japanese.

On February 4, 1945, American troops launched a surprise attack on the Japanese in Manila, and the American prisoners were released. Not able to return home immediately, they used the time to reorient themselves to American life and news about the past three years. Finally the day came when they arrived in Los Angeles on May 8, 1945. Returning to Minneapolis by train, Judy was met by her family, friends and fiancé. They were married and became Lutheran missionaries in Japan, serving there for thirty years. Those who were once captors and enemies became dear friends.

What started as great suffering in trial ended in forgiveness and self-less service to former enemies – a great Christian testimony to believers as well as the non-Christian population of Asia. This could not have happened if Judy had allowed her trials to turn into the temptation of nurturing a hateful and a vengeful spirit. For Judy, trials became opportunities of spiritual growth and experiencing victory in Christ.

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