<p>1:3 <i>Knowing that the proving of your faith works patience</i>- Our joy at the onset of temptation should be because we know that we have an opportunity to develop permanent spiritual fruit, if only we can respond correctly in those split seconds when the process of being drawn away and enticed is going on. The trying of our faith due to spiritual temptation is in the sense of our faith that God &quot;is able to keep (us) from falling&quot; (Jude 24). In the moment of temptation, whether it be from an unkind word from someone or irritation at someone's natural characteristics, our joy will be helped by our faith that God will keep us from falling, and will not lead us any further into temptation unless we go on ourselves. However, &quot;Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God&quot; (Rom. 10:17).</p><p>It is worth drawing attention to the remarkable parallels between James 1 and 1 Peter 1. The infallible principle of interpreting Scripture by Scripture will therefore allow more light to be shed on much of James 1. Peter's parallel to &quot;the trying of your faith worketh patience&quot; is &quot;Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith... tried with fire&quot; (1 Pet. 1:6,7). A heavy spirit is more likely the result of prolonged spiritual temptation than physical trials, although these were no doubt the cause of the spiritual tests. The fire therefore represents the fire of the flesh, a figure which James also uses regarding the tongue as the epitome of our evil desires (3:5,6). Thus Prov. 16:27: &quot;An unGodly man digs up evil (out of the evil treasure of his heart- or is this the basis of the wasted talent parable?): and (therefore) in his lips there is as a burning fire&quot;; cp. too 1 Cor. 7:9. It is the constant reaction to spiritual trial that forges an acceptable character, not just the receipt of physical trial, as would be the case if the fire only represented persecution in itself. This trial of faith &quot;works patience&quot;- which must therefore be defined in this context as the ability to grit one's teeth in the moment of temptation, and cling on to one's faith in God's spiritual protection in the power of the word.</p><p>The interpretation of &quot;faith&quot; as faith in the Spirit keeping us from falling (Jude 24) is confirmed by a closer look at Rom. 5; &quot;Not only so, but we glory in tribulations <i>also</i>&quot;- as if he is saying that the &quot;tribulations&quot; had the same effect as &quot;being justified by faith (in forgiveness), we have peace (through forgiveness) with God...we have access by faith (in forgiveness) into this grace...&quot; (Rom. 5:1,2). So we see the equation: &quot;Tribulations&quot; (Rom. 5:3)= same effect as having total faith in forgiveness (Rom. 5:1,2)= &quot;the trial of your faith&quot; that God will help you overcome your sin (James 1:3), i.e. keep you from spiritually falling (Jude 24). In the language of Rom.5, the &quot;experience&quot; of patiently resisting sin gives birth to hope- confidence and a positive approach, hoping for grace in the last day. The more we overcome the hour by hour niggles of the flesh, the more humbly confident we will be of our eternal future.</p>