Blessed is the one who perseveres in temptation

James 1:12-17 - Tuesday, Feb 13, 2024 - 6th Week in Ordinary Time

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves facing temptations that threaten to lead us astray from the path of goodness. According to James, these temptations can arise from our disordered desires, bad habits, and vices. Indeed, the struggle against temptation can be a painful inner battle, as we grapple with the choice between following God's law or succumbing to sin (see Rom. 7:15-25).

But here's the remarkable thing: temptation need not have power over us. We have the capacity to persevere in good, even in the face of contrary inclinations. When we choose to resist temptation, it becomes a fire that purifies and strengthens our resolve. It becomes an opportunity for growth, a chance to prove our constancy and faith. James congratulates those who persevere in temptations (see James 1:12). The reward for such perseverance is the crown of life, an image representing eternal reward and ultimately, eternal life with God.

However, this begs the question: why does God allow temptation to exist? On the one hand, as James points out the cause of temptation lies within us. It stems from our disordered desires and the vices we harbour. On the other hand, the Greek word "temptation" can also be rendered as "test" and in this case, such tests become necessary to strengthen our faith. Thus, Abraham and Job were put to the test to prove their faith and commitment to God.

In the Lord's Prayer, there is a request: "Do not lead us (1) to the test or (2) to the temptation" (Matt 6:13). This request makes us aware that we are fallible human beings and our faith is often weak. However, temptations are unavoidable, they are part of our lives. However, amid tests, we have to remember what Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians: "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Cor 10:13).

I think the best way to understand the double meaning of the Greek word "peirasmos", either as a test or temptation, is to meditate on Jesus' temptations in the desert. It was the Holy Spirit who led our Lord to face that test but it was the tempter who tried to entice our Lord into sin (see Matt 4:1-11). Our Lord persevered and did not allow himself to be lured from His commitment to fulfil the Father's will using the Bible. All His answers came from the book of Deuteronomy.

James reminds us about the power and the consequences of our choices: to let ourselves be lured by temptations into sin or to reject the enticement of temptation. While temptation can be a formidable force, we are not powerless in the face of it. By choosing perseverance and nurturing our relationship with God, we can rise above the allure of temptation and merit the eternal reward of a life aligned with His divine will.