The truth behind James 1:12- "Blessed is the man who endures temptation..."

James 1:12- "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Many interpret this verse as: "The man who strives with all his will-power to overcome the temptation to commit sin will receive God's approval."

Not so, or else Peter would not have received God's approval after his three-time denial of Christ. Also, going by this misinterpretation, no one descended of Adam can that can “endure” to the point of getting God's approval because the arm of flesh (dependence on human effort at obedience) will fail. See Romans 3:20-

"For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the Law commands."

The Law's command is basically abstinence from sin. No amount of abstinence from sin can earn anybody God's aapproval. Plus the reason why we are not committing particular sins and why many think they can curb sins to the point of getting God's approval is because God did not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. Now see the The Passion Translation of the verse James 1:12-

"If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!"

"Temptation" (from the Greek word "Peirasmos") is not just "temptation to commit sin." It is another word for "test" or "trial" or "calamity" or "affliction."

The man who "endures temptation" and "has been approved" is the man whose faith remains strong in the midst of life's difficulties; not his ability to keep the law in order to be sinless. The law is not of faith. We see an example of what it means to “endure" in the life of Peter who committed a sin of betraying Jesus through his denials- akin to that of Judas Iscariot. Remember Christ's conversation with Peter in Luke 22-

31 "And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” 34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”"

Peter meant well. He knew 100% that he could never deny Jesus. But in reality, his action mirrors an act that we often think is left to the domain of high-ranking evil spirit: Peter exalted himself against the knowledge of God. He thought Christ was wrong when Christ told him about his then upcoming denials. His stance as he made his resolution seems noble, but it is nothing but Pride that goes before a fall. The arm of flesh (will-power/human effort at obedience) will fail. God's word.

Peter seemed to be making good on his resolve to “endure” in terms of that twisted interpretation of James 1:12 as human effort at obedience in order to gain God's approval: he slashed off the ear of Malchus the high priest's servant in Gethsemane when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, a work that Christ did not sanction. Peter had no idea that he had courage only because Christ was near. Satan could not come near to try to devour- just as our adversary the devil can only devour sheep that have been cut off from their Shepherd. See how this happens in Galatians 5:4-

"For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the Law you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's Grace."

When Christ his Strength departed from him, Peter lied three times in the very area that he'd previously boasted. After his pride (in self) came his fall. See what God's word says about the non-existent good in man and that useless will-power that many pridefully depend on in their quest to be godly (be like God) or, according to their misinterpretation of James 1:12, “endure" temptation in order to obtain God's approval in Paul's experience in Romans 7:18-

“For I know that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity. The longings to do what is right are within me, but will-power is not enough to accomplish it."

God's word says human effort (the arm of flesh) will fail, is powerless and cannot aka the gist of what He told Peter who trusted himself but fell flat on his face thrice. Satan appeals to Pride in the arm of flesh (human effort at obedience or getting right with God) that will fail and causes man to think:

"No, I can. God must be wrong. I still have some good in me. I can produce good, keep the law and resist temptation to commit sin by my will-power. I can and I must do works to be godly aka "be like God" or (as it was with Judas) to prove to God that I am truly sorry for my sins.”

This is the definition of pride: man thinking that he has or can produce an iota of good by his own will-power/human effort aka arm of flesh. It entails putting confidence in the arm of flesh (human effort) towards the achievement of good/godliness when God's word says "The arm of flesh will fail."

Christ says: "There is none good but God." Recall what He who knows how weak, screwed up and powerless we are of ourselves said to Peter earlier:

32 “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Peter was about to find out that a believer can only “strengthen your brethren” only after giving up on self(righteousness) and is continuously looking utterly to Christ as his righteousness and strength- this way, he points the brethren not to human effort at obedience as the means of getting God's approval but to Christ as Saviour to the uttermost, even Saviour from sins. Only in Christ the Beloved are we accepted.

The Law is not of Faith. Thought to clarify that law-keeping is dependence on even a smidgen of righteousness that proceeds from human striving/self in order to gain God's approval or in a bid to “not perish but have everlasting life.”

Christ prayed for Peter so that his faith should not fail and not his resolve to keep the 8th Commandment - “You shall not bear false witness…” He already knew that of himself, there was no good in Peter. He knew that Peter would fail and that by himself, could never get God's approval because Peter trusted in the arm of flesh (will-power) that He (God's word) says will fail. He is still saying the same thing to all today and asking all to forsake confidence in the flesh (human effort) come and freely partake of the godliness/righteousness that He died for us to freely have so that we can bear much fruit to God.

James 1:12- "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

The Passion Translation of the verse says: "If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!"

“Endure” here is the endurance of faith and not endurance in works of the law which cannot get anyone God's approval according to Romans 3:20. Only in the Beloved are we accepted. And in Him, like Simon (meaning “reed"- fearful and easily swayed by the elements) who was transformed to Peter (meaning “rock"- bold and unshakable in the strength of Christ,) we who endure in the faith receive God's approval and never remain the same.

The law is not of faith. Judas did not endure in the faith. He followed that horrid and false interpretation of James 1:12 which says that those who are able to do right or be obedient by their willpower/arm of flesh will get God's approval.

Remember both Peter and Judas committed similar sins of betraying Jesus? Both were remorseful. But Peter did not attempt to right his wrong by rushing off to the Pharisees and those to whom he denied Christ to correct his sin of bearing false witness by telling them that he was a disciple of Jesus afterall. He could not. He saw the truth of Christ's word, how foolish he was to think that he could keep the Law (dependence on human effort at doing right) and how weak he was of himself. Peter was humbled. He didn't try to compound his issues further by attempting to right his wrong with his non-existent will-power aka arm of flesh that had already failed him. He could not. He self(-ish) spirit was broken by the law which he tried to obey in order to get God's approval. The Law that Peter pridefully thought he could keep had brought him to the end of his tether, as it did many of us who are under God's saving Grace and are experiencing His salvation from sin and death today. See the purpose of the Law that many depend on to make them godly or get God's approval-

Galatians 3:19 - "Why then was the law given? It was meant to be an intermediary agreement added after God gave the promise of the coming One! It was given to show men how guilty they are, and it remained in force until the Seed was born to fulfill the promises given to Abraham."

Also Romans 3:19-20- "Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are."

Also Romans 5:20- "The law was given so that sin would increase. But where sin increased, God’s grace increased even more."

When deployed to the pursuit of godliness or gaining God's approval, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (a picture of the law which gives the same knowledge,) only leads to sin having dominion and death reigning. The good one does under law kills just as fast as the bad. Bear in mind what "law" encompasses- Romans 2-

"Gentiles do not have the law. Sometimes they just naturally do what the law requires. They are a law for themselves. This is true even though they don’t have the law. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts. The way their minds judge them proves this fact. Sometimes their thoughts find them guilty. At other times their thoughts find them not guilty."

As it was with Peter, our failures should teach us the futility of trusting in the flesh (human effort) and to utterly trust in Christ for salvation from all earthly ills, even salvation from sins. But Judas, not quite so. Judas plodded on in his might and tried to right himself to get God's approval. He relied on his will-power/arm of flesh to fix his issues as seen in his failed attempt to fulfill the Law's demand for restitution. He tried to set things right. He became depressed and suicidal. The letter (law) kills.

Those who, like Judas, fail and still pridefully look to the law (human effort at obedience) to restore themselves or get back into God's good graces are devourable. More accusation from the accuser followed by guilt, condemnation, depression and even suicide (like Judas) is the result: What do we think is the major cause of depression and suicide today, even among unbelievers? It is guilt for sins, fear, anxiety, hopelessness and sorrow in the heart for sins aka not being able to measure up to particular standards - no different from what happened to Judas who was full of remorse for his sin.

The law is not of faith. Remember, Christ prayed for Peter so that his faith should not fail and not his resolve to not sin. Peter stood in firm in the faith. Unlike Judas, Peter resisted Satan the devourer's attempt to lure him into trying to right himself with God by will-power aka human effort at obedience aka law-keeping.

After His resurrection, Christ restored Peter and even gave him charge of His sheep, this disciple that many of us see as "failed the most." Christ perfected, established, strengthened, and settled Peter. Only those who have failed, are weak and unsettled need these things. Christ transformed Christ-denying Simon (meaning Reed - easily swayed by the elements) into pillar of the church-Peter (meaning Rock- bold and unshakable) after Peter's brief suffering.

It's no surprise that Peter wrote that verse exhorting us to “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.” He got a glimpse of what life outside “the mighty hand of God” is like. Here's a glimpse into that kind of life from Paul's writings where we see that it is God's mighty hand that restrains man from crumpling into the sins-ridden mass of flesh that man is of himself: God's word addresses this truth in Romans 1 where a group who “suppress the truth” of righteousness by faith (verses 16-19) devolved into sin after “God lifted off His restraining hand…” —

“24 This is why God lifted off His restraining hand and let them have full expression of their sinful and shameful desires…”

From his experience, Peter was humbled to see that if God lifted off His mighty hand that restrains us from devolving into committing heinous sins and let us rely on our human effort and will-power at keeping the law in order to be saved, godly or receive God's approval, we would all devolve into heinous sin and see how utterly lacking in good we are of ourselves- like Peter. He was humbled and broken, and Christ restored Him to glory as it is written of His way in Proverbs 18:12-

“A man’s heart is the proudest when his downfall is nearest, for he won’t see glory until the Lord sees humility.”

Little wonder that Peter wrote 1 Peter 5 --

6 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Peter was writing about his experience between the time of Christ's arrest and His resurrection! Remember he denied Christ thrice after boasting in the flesh (human effort) that he would not? He suffered remorse because of his denial of Christ. The devil our adversary hounded him with accusations for his sins as he did Judas but Peter didn't take the bait to plod on by “enduring" in useless works to get him God's approval like Judas did. Peter endured in the faith. Beloved of God, this is the crux of the gospel of Christ:

Righteousness by faith.

Satan is not called “the accuser” for nothing; HaSatan is literally prosecutor at law in Hebrew. Prosecuting attorneys in Israel today are referred to as HaSatan. Satan's weapon to accuse is the Law that condemns the best of those who try to be righteous/godly or get God's approval by keeping it or have any business with it. See this in Colossians 2:13. Satan’s strategy has not changed since the time that he deceived Eve into believing that she could become godly (be like God) through human striving. See the forbidden fruit as a picture of the Law that many are striving to keep in order to be godly (be like God) in Romans 7:8-12 (MSG.) Satan sets people up to depend on their will-power (arm of flesh) in their bid to attain godliness aka be like God, just as he did with Eve in Eden. Like the tree, the law which gives the same knowledge and which kills like the tree, heaps guilt on all who try to keep it and condemns all who eat even the tiniest part of it to death.

Peter did not try to do restitution for his sin aka defend or right himself before God the Righteous Judge by human effort (law-keeping) as Judas did. He stood firm/endured in the faith. He depended on Jesus Christ the Advocate and Bearer of sins of all who believe to get a “not guilty" verdict. The Holy Spirit bears witness to the Truth that we are righteous by faith. These are all judicial terms.

See The Passion Translation of 1 Peter 5:10 - 

"And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in His eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, He will set you firmly in place and build you up."

Peter went through all of this. His experience between the hours after Christ's arrest and his meeting with the resurrected Christ is spiritual warfare. It is a legal battle to remain firm/endure in our belief that we are righteous by faith despite the many fiery darts of even valid accusations that Satan throws at us for our sins and imperfections that Christ died to take away. Judas depended on himself to overcome and became depressed and suicidal- like many today. Even non-believers are not left out. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of human nature.) We resist HaSatan by being steadfast in the faith:

9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

Judas too was hounded with guilt and remorse but he depended on carnal means (his will-power) to do what the Law commands in order to right himself with God (be approved) and got devoured. He got depressed, suicidal and killed himself. The Law is not of Faith.

For many of us, the verse about resisting the devil - "Resist him, steadfast in the faith," - has been interpreted as "do your best to not sin and obey the law in order to be right with God so that the devil won't catch you napping in sin and thus devour you."

But the "the law is not of faith." Trying to obey the law in order to be godly or to get God's approval as is being preached by those who misinterpret James 1:12 is the definition of being faithless and the sure way to be devoured by Satan-

“For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law you have been cut off from Christ. You have fallen away from God's Grace.”

No Shepherd to save the sheep here so the devourer can have a field day among sheep who have cut themselves off by believing they they have what it takes to keep themselves from falling. By Grace, let's not be found here.

In essence, we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and receive His approval (are exalted) when He gives us Grace to see the futility of trusting in our non-existent will-power and we trust/rely completely on Him for righteousness and strength. We have none. Proverbs 21:4 says:

“Arrogance, superiority, and pride are the fruits of wickedness and the true definition of sin.”

Beloved of God, by Grace, let's stop our arrogant and silly attempts to save ourselves from our sins/be godly (be like God) or earn His approval by our non-existent will-power. Let's humble ourselves before our Lord God by casting ALL our care upon Him, no matter how “easy” the care seems to be. Let's not be like pre-trial Peter who thought he could "handle" his care but ended up bearing false witness when his circumstances changed. Let's not be like Judas who sinned and thought he could handle his care by depending on his own will-power. Let's utterly trust in Christ of whom it is written in Matthew 1:21-

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Also Titus 2:14- "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."

By Grace, let's receive the same revelation-knowledge that Paul did - "that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity." No sin is beneath anybody.

None of self. All of Christ. That's humility before God.

By grace, don't let anyone deceive you as to the interpretation of James 1:12- "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

What is being tested in James 1:12 is our endurance concerning the faith, not our ability to keep the Ten Commandments by the arm of flesh aka sheer determination and will-power in order to get God's approval. See the Contemporary English Version of this verse:

"God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as He rewards everyone who loves Him."

Right believing always produces right living.