Snapshots of a STEADFAST FAITH: What to Do and What Not to Do - Part Two

Good morning, sweet friends in this Christian faith,

I am so excited to look at the second set of snapshots from James 1 with you today! Last time I mentioned that James has provided us with some very concrete word pictures that depict what Steadfast Faith looks like in everyday life. I also mentioned that He has instructed us in both what to do…AND…what not to do!

Last time, we only looked at “what to do.” This time we will take a look at the contrasting snapshots that illustrate a faltering faith…what not to do.

A Faith that Falters: WHAT NOT TO DO

Snapshot #1: Waves of the sea 

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, 

for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 

For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1: 6-8

In this snapshot, we see lives of doubt being symbolized by waves of the ocean. Notice how James describes that in the ocean, we are ‘driven’ by the waves. They are an outside force pushing and pulling us in whatever directions it pleases. This great pressure keeps us from moving forward and making progress. This is very different from setting our eyes before us and pressing on toward the goal. Therefore, doubt hinders our faith and our spiritual growth. For this reason, it is a characteristic of faith that is faltering.

Snapshot #2: Tossed by the Wind

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, 

for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 

For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,

being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1: 6-8

Here we find a snapshot of someone being tossed around by high winds. The word “tossed” means to be agitated, as in being tossed to and fro. This is very similar to what “unstable” means - it means to be inconstant. Just like a person driven by the waves of the sea, this person does not stay the course. This is perhaps related to being “double-minded,” which means to be uncertain due to mixed desires and interests. Imagine a person who hesitates about taking a step of faith. They’re torn. They have doubts and don’t even know whether they want to go forward. The winds of doubt result in a faith that falters.

Snapshot #3: Shifting Shadows

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of lights, 

with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:17

This verse contrasts the character of God with the character of those who falter in their faith. While God is depicted as the unchanging Father of heavenly lights, remaining true to His perfect character as the planets remain in their orbits. God is not erratic or unpredictable!  Rather He is purposeful, true to His promises, completely immutable and unchanging in His perfect character and perfect ways. He is always the same, always reliable, always trustworthy. Yet “variation” and “shifting shadows” refers to the wavering, unpredictable path of someone whose faith is failing.  This person of untrustworthy character is not likely to remain steadfast or faithful during the trials of life.

Snapshot #4: Dragged Away by Seduction

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

James 1:14

This snapshot feels so dark! The word “carried away” involves someone or something being lured out of their hiding place or place of safety by the use of seduction. It’s not forced. But once the person or animal willingly exits their place of safety, they are dragged away. This is a picture of being seduced by something that looks appealing but brings harm in the end. For the believer, sin is a tempting force. But genuine faith in Christ leads to increasing power over sin and changed desires so that sin loses its allure. Without this faith and spiritual growth, sin continues to seduce and bring destruction in one’s life.

Snapshot #5: Ensnared by Deception

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.

James 1:14

Similar to being “carried away,” the Greek word for “enticed” is a fishing and hunting term. It means to be baited or ensnared using guile or deception. This same word can also be used to describe the actions of a harlot. Only a steadfast faith remains committed to Jesus in the face of such guile. A faltering faith will become ensnared in the face of the trials of temptation. 

Snapshot #6: Withering Wild Flowers 

But the rich person is to glory in his humiliation, 

because like flowering grass he will pass away. 

For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; 

and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; 

so also the rich person, in the midst of his pursuits, will die out.

James 1:10-11

Wild flowers are very beautiful, but their beauty doesn’t last. Wild flowers wilt, wither, and fade until they simply are no more. James attributes this to the wild flower’s lack of resilience in the scorching head of the sun. In fact, some wild flowers only have a lifespan of two weeks! This is a simple and relatable picture of a faltering faith that cannot withstand the trials of walking with Christ through hardship.

Snapshot #7: Forgetting 

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, 

he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 

For once he has looked at himself and gone away,

he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 

James 1:23-24

James’ snapshot of “what not to do” in this verse is found in the verb “forgetting.” We all forget sometimes, right? But forgetting God’s Word? We’re talking about a person who has professed allegiance to Jesus, who died for their salvation. A person whose entire identity has been transformed by Christ. Do you realize what it means to forget God’s Word? It means to literally neglect it because you don’t care about it. Individuals of faltering faith may listen to God’s Word, but they don’t put it into action - because it doesn’t matter to them. On the other hand, those with steadfast faith hear God’s Word, keep it in their hearts, and allow it to drive their attitudes, thoughts, and actions.

Snapshot #8: Worthlessness

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, yet does not bridle his tongue 

but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: 

to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

James 1:26-27

A final snapshot James uses as a picture of faltering faith is found in the word “worthless.” This word describes something that yields no result. It is empty, useless, and devoid of power. A faith that is worthless, then, brings no fruit. James is pointing out that if the resurrected Christ lives in someone, their life should be full of Christ’s power. This power yields fruit - including a steadfast faith that withstands the tests and temptations of life on earth.

Why would James provide such an elaborate set of concrete pictures of steadfast faith and faltering faith? Why would he go to such great lengths to show God’s people “what to do” and “what not to do?” I have an idea about that. But before I share, I want to give you time to digest what we’ve already explored together.  

For now, we can probably agree that these snapshots are part of the purpose of his letter to the suffering, scattered saints of his day. He knew they needed more than encouragement - they needed practical guidance on how to navigate their trials and hardships. They needed instructions for developing a steadfast faith!

Looking to Jesus, 

Tina

P.S. Which of these snapshots have you struggled with in your own walk with Christ? Which one would you be willing to address right now? How could you grow more steadfast this week? What steps can you take today?