2. Steadfastness vs. Instability James 1:2-7 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

3. Key Points A biblical view of steadfastness 2 views Stable Unstable

4. Lies regarding Steadfastness Money will make me stable More money will mean less problems Stability happens naturally I’ll do it when I “grow up” That’s for old people I’ll get “right” when I’m married I’ll “settle down” when I have kids

5. What is STEADFASTNESS? Steadfastness adherence , aplomb , assurance , backbone , balance , cohesion , constancy, dependability, determination , durability, endurance , establishment , firmness, immobility, immovability, maturity , permanence, perseverance , resoluteness, security , solidity, solidness, soundness, stability, stableness, steadiness, strength , substantiality, support , toughness

6. What is INSTABILITY? Instability alternation, anxiety , capriciousness (impulsive), changeability, changeableness, disequilibrium, disquiet , fickleness, fitfulness, flightiness, fluctuation , fluidity, frailty, hesitation , immaturity, impermanence, inconsistency , inquietude, insecurity , irregularity, irresolution, mutability, oscillation, pliancy, precariousness, restlessness, shakiness, transience, uncertainty , unfixedness, unpredictability, unreliability, unsteadiness, vacillation, variability, volatility, vulnerability , wavering , weakness

7. Signs of a steadfast believer The steadfast believer… Shows strength when facing trials This leads to a believer who is Perfect & complete Perfect = Without variance Lacks nothing Matthew 5:48 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. James 1:17-18

8. Signs of an unstable believer The unstable believer… Displays doubt when facing trials This leads to being Compared to an wave in an ocean Their trials are like wind that tosses them aside They are self-deceived They assume they will receive an answer from God only to receive nothing James gives us an analogy. These types of people are best compared to a person having 2 minds – unstable in all their ways

9. Wisdom Both the steadfast & unstable are told to seek wisdom

10. A quick biblical view of wisdom God gives wisdom - Proverbs 2:6-7 Wisdom should be sought after like people seek after money - Proverbs 2:1-5 We are commanded to get it & live according to it - Proverbs 4:1-5 ALL WISDOM isn’t GODLY WISDOM; some wisdom is of a demonic nature - James 3:13-18 Wisdom is found among God’s people - Proverbs 10:31-32 We’re to walk in wisdom when dealing w/unbelievers - Colossians 4:5-6

11. Questions? What does steadfastness look like… With God In marriage In relationships with… Unbelievers Believers At work At home At EMF Does your view of steadfastness match up w/James view?