Blessed Is The Man Who Endures Temptation

We should love God through all our trials and temptation. The Bible says “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.” (James 1:12 NKJV)

We have a promise of a crown of life here, and we’ll see this again in scripture in the book of Revelation. This should not be mistaken for eternal life. Eternal life is a free gift from God. In both James and Revelation we see we must be strong enough through our faith to endure temptation, because it will come many times throughout the course of our lives. That said, what both these verses really say to me is that we have to stand strong and be faithful to God in ALL things, and we will receive the crown of life.

10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw [some] of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

[Rev 2:10 NKJV]

Temptation

Webster’s dictionary defines temptation as follows:

• 1: the act of tempting or the state of being tempted especially to evil : ENTICEMENT
• 2: something tempting : a cause or occasion of enticement

Now lets look at the root word Tempt:

• 1: to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain
• 2a: to induce to do something
  • 2b: to cause to be strongly inclined
• 3a: to try presumptuously : PROVOKE
  • 3b: to risk the dangers of
  • 3c obsolete : to make trial of : TEST

As you can see temptation is not something we should give in to because it leads us to sin. In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray to the Father and verse 13 specifically says “do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”.

We are all human and there will be times when we will submit to temptation so I want to be clear and state again that the crown of life does not mean eternal life. However, if we do submit to temptation we must repent. Recognize that we messed up and should have resisted said temptation and turn from it; don’t do it again. Eternal life is a free gift from God, it is not something we can earn. However, we can earn some crowns.

So What Is The Crown Of Life?

Lets look at the word crown in context in the Greek language.

 Strong’s G4735 – stephanos

1. a crown
2. a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank
   1. the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games
3. metaph. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: the crown (wreath) which is the reward of the righteousness
4. that which is an ornament and honor to one

So Jesus and James are encouraging us to hold on to our faith throughout the trials and temptations life throws at us by giving us a hope for this honor and reward we are promised to receive in our reign with Jesus. So stand strong and fight the good fight to the end.

1 To the Chief Musician. [A Psalm] of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 [Though] its waters roar [and] be troubled, [Though] the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

[Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV]