2 Peter 1:5 says, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…” Diligence is a character quality that is developed during our trials. We must diligently guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23. We must diligently listen to the Lord. Isaiah 55:3. Diligent to not let bitter roots spring up. Hebrews 12:15

2 Peter 1:5-7 recorded what we are to add: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Verse 8 says, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Verse 9 says, “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” That was the problem with the children of Israel. They were impatient and kept looking back. They forgot He delivered them from slavery to the Egyptians.

I am presently reading through Exodus, meditating on James 1, and memorizing 2 Peter 1. The word ‘lack’ has appeared several times. What does it mean? The Holy Spirit compares spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13.

James 1:4 says that we need to patiently endure our trials so that the Lord is able to do all that He has designed to do through our trial. The children of Israel had God’s amazing provision throughout their wilderness journey. They spent a lot of time complaining.

Trials are designed to conform us to His image. That takes time. He uses the pressures, hardships, adversities, and temptations to sin as His conforming tools. Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…”

Impatience is a work of our flesh. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit ~ only evident through those who are submitted to the Holy Spirit.

All traps had a catch that releases once the prey steps into it. There are no warning signs that a temptation is ahead. Satan’s temptations to sin are intentional and deceptively hidden. They always target our faith. That is why we need to keep behind our door shield of faith ~ quenching every fiery dart. 

Fiery darts are lies that seek to pierce our mind and penetrate into our heart. This is another reason why we must bring every thought captive. Especially thoughts against ourselves, others, or our circumstances.

We may be unaware that we are ensnared. A deceived persona does not know that they are deceived. That is why we need accountability through fellowship with other believers. One telltale sign is complaining. In Numbers 11:1 we read that complaining displeases the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God…” Gratitude is a form of worship.

Paul counted his blessings. If you need a refresher on his multiple trial-trails look up 2 Corinthians 11:23-33. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 he had asked the Lord to remove a trial. The Lord introduced him to His way through. Verse 9 says, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”

James 1:2 in the J. B. Phillips says, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!” Think for a moment how you welcome a friend into your home that you haven’t seen in a long time.

We count our trials as joy because they are not purpose-less but purpose-full. Every trial tests our faith, probing deep to expose anything hidden. The dross remains hidden from us, but is like a buried landmine. 

When we embrace our trials, they add one joy after another ~ joy-fruit for our strength to endure and glorify Him. Follow one trail of my joy. I fell while in Nevada housesitting for my parents. I went back to Oregon.

When Mt. St. Helens erupted, I had to move back home with my parents. That opened the door for me to go to a chiropractor that adjusted my skull. In the fall my skull bones were pushed over to the left. He took my head in his hands and said, “Did you ever fall headfirst?”

At that point I remembered the fall. Through his adjustment I was able to walk again, and my nightly temporary paralysis left. I was able to go back to work after being off work for six and one half years. Tracing God’s amazing orchestration through our trials is another joy that we can count.

I was thinking of my trials from the standpoint of accounting. James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Have you counted the joy-fruit from your trials lately?

I did. When I fell into the ravine, I didn’t know it would be a trial that still impacts my life. Since not remembering the fall for three and one half years, I just thought my health was crashing for some reason.

Yet, the Lord used the fall as His scalpel to pierce deep into my heart. He had a lot of chaff to separate from the wheat. I was a doer, and He desired to teach me to be still. While stopped in my  tracks, He used it to bring me into intimate communion with Him. I had never experienced Him like that before. He also taught me to let nothing rival it.

I have this verse taped to my refrigerator door. Titus 3:2 says, “To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” This verse is evident through our lives as we walk in the Spirit.

When we are submitted to the Holy Spirit we bear fruit that exemplifies the Lord: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23. No fleshly reactions are found in a Spirit-led believer.

Luke 6:35 says of the Lord, “…He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” Verse 37 says, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged…” Matthew 7:2 says, “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Heart-maintenance includes releasing all unresolved issues, forgiving when we are slighted, rejected, or ignored. Refusing to gossip, or to carry an offense after the sun goes down.

I often recall Proverbs 4:23. We are to guard our hearts with all diligence. Why? It is our belief center. If what we believe about ourselves does not line up with Scripture, then we have believed a lie. We are ensnared.

The devil sends fiery dart lies hoping he can get them to penetrate into our belief system. I learned in 1993 that not all my thoughts were of my own origin. I had let fiery darts penetrate by believing them and making them my own.

The enemy seeks to set up inner strongholds. Fiery darts are outside, but when we allow them in, they become an internal war against us. Accusations, self-blame, and false identities are the fruit. Be a fruit inspector. Does your conduct bear fruit that glorifies the Lord? Our intimate communion with the Lord exposes our true heart’s beliefs.

Fast forward. A few years ago a friend drove me to the store and I tried on shoes that fit. Now I needed another pair. I called and the owner answered. I told him the shoe I wanted. His words shocked me. “I remember you. We mailed several pairs of shoes to you. I’m not going to do it again. You have to come into the store.” My interactions in 2017 left a bad taste in his mouth.

How is your conduct? Are others spiritually influenced or turned off? 1 Peter 1:15 says, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” Titus 2:12 says, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

Titus 3:8 says, “…be careful to maintain good works. These are good and profitable to men.” Verse 14 says, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”