According to the psychosocial theory of personality development developed by Erikson, religion satisfies our basic trust. Religion provides us with a reliable worldview. Our world is a reliable place to live in. There are many religions and pseudo-religions around us. Which ones are reliable? Which ones are suitable for us? That there are many religions suggests that one single religion cannot satisfy all. Different people have different needs. Therefore, we need to look into the matter from the human side, from man himself. The Epistle of James suggests the following.
For some people, religion is useless for them. Who are they? James describes them as double-minded men and their spiritual life is void.
For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7-8).
Religion enshrines wisdom on one hand and demands faith in the Transcendence on the other. In our daily life, our faith is beset with trials and frustrations. Some give up. Others persist. James has this advice.
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:3-4).
Trials and frustrations will make our faith stronger. Then we will become perfect and complete. However, to be able to overcome trials and frustrations, we need wisdom to see through them. This wisdom comes from God.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him (James 1:6).
But God will not give wisdom to double-minded men. Therefore, the whole business of religion is useless for double-minded people.
In short, from the human side, a man should possess faith and steadfastness in order to lead a fruitful spiritual life. He will be perfect with wisdom.
For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7-8).
Religion enshrines wisdom on one hand and demands faith in the Transcendence on the other. In our daily life, our faith is beset with trials and frustrations. Some give up. Others persist. James has this advice.
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:3-4).
Trials and frustrations will make our faith stronger. Then we will become perfect and complete. However, to be able to overcome trials and frustrations, we need wisdom to see through them. This wisdom comes from God.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him (James 1:6).
But God will not give wisdom to double-minded men. Therefore, the whole business of religion is useless for double-minded people.
In short, from the human side, a man should possess faith and steadfastness in order to lead a fruitful spiritual life. He will be perfect with wisdom.
One source of frustrations comes from our own desires. Very often, we put the blame on God when we undergo temptations. James puts the blame on our own desires instead. He insists that God is good and good things come from God.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change(James 1:16-17).
Wisdom is one such perfect gift which is able to save our souls (James 1:21c). In order to receive wisdom, we cannot be double-minded as mentioned above. But what makes us double-minded? Our desires. In order to satisfy our desires which usually go against righteousness, we do not persist in upholding righteousness. James takes one such example: anger.
Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,
for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:19-21).
We are eager to speak, eager to please others, eager to gain advantages and eager to vent our frustrations etc. James advises us to slow down, to put away our lusts. If such an attitude does not seem to be too passive, James advises us to do good.
If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:26-27).
Practise what you believe. Help orphans and widows in their needs. Hold your tongue and persevere in times of frustration. Then the religion you believe in is beneficial. Then the God you believe in is true. Your world is reliable and full of hope. Congratulations!
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change(James 1:16-17).
Wisdom is one such perfect gift which is able to save our souls (James 1:21c). In order to receive wisdom, we cannot be double-minded as mentioned above. But what makes us double-minded? Our desires. In order to satisfy our desires which usually go against righteousness, we do not persist in upholding righteousness. James takes one such example: anger.
Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,
for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:19-21).
We are eager to speak, eager to please others, eager to gain advantages and eager to vent our frustrations etc. James advises us to slow down, to put away our lusts. If such an attitude does not seem to be too passive, James advises us to do good.
If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:26-27).
Practise what you believe. Help orphans and widows in their needs. Hold your tongue and persevere in times of frustration. Then the religion you believe in is beneficial. Then the God you believe in is true. Your world is reliable and full of hope. Congratulations!
Dear Lord, I thank You for my father has been discharged from the hospital. I am not able to find appropriate words of gratitude. Yet, in many situations, I find it hard to hold my tongue and my temper. Lord, give me more opportunities to practise charity, to serve You so as to purge my lusts. Next time when You open my lips, my tongue shall praise You. Amen.
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