This is the first in a series in James looking at James 1:1–18 asking, ‘How do we remain faithful to God when life puts us under pressure?’ Read James words below:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
(James 1:1-18)
“James 1 shows us that trials can mature our faith as we persevere, seek God’s wisdom, and learn to see our circumstances from his perspective. When pressure amplifies our own desires, we can keep trusting God because he is good, unchanging, and leads us towards life. Consider:
- What pressure or difficult circumstance are you facing at the moment, or have you faced in the past, and what is it revealing about your faith?
- When you don’t know how to respond, what would it look like to ask God for wisdom rather than simply relying on your own understanding?
- As you think about a difficult circumstance you are facing, or have faced, can you identify ways your desire for a quick fix or fast relief has conflicted with God’s wisdom for how to live faithfully in that moment?
- Is there something you currently want so strongly that it risks becoming the thing that directs how you live? What would it look like to trust God in that area instead?
- How might God be shaping or maturing your faith through what you are facing right now?”
(Pastor Ben O’Reilly. Como Baptist Church. 30th August 2026)
If you would like to consider the above questions in relation to your own life, then click on to either the video or one of the podcasts below to hear Ben’s message.
Video on YouTube
Podcast on Spotify
James: Faith Under Pressure | Listen to the Podcast on Spotify
Podcast on Apple
James: Faith Under Pressure – Como Baptist Church – Apple Podcasts
In my next Post we will look at James 1:19-27 and 2:14-17, on the subject “Faith That Does Something.”
