True Colors

By Frank Williams

March 30, 2026

James 1:3-4 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

The phrase “true colors” is a naval expression. It referred to pirate vessels that would hoist flags of different nations as they would approach unsuspecting vessels. An honorable Captain would never fly false colors, so the phrase “true colors” indicated honesty, authenticity, and genuineness.

Once a teacher inserted some ketchup into a lemon and then asked the class, “What do you get when you squeeze a lemon?” The expected answer was given, “Lemon juice!” The lesson was quite graphic when the lemon was squeezed and out came red liquid. The fact was taught that you will get out of it whatever is in it.

So, what’s inside of you? When the trying of your faith squeezes you, what is going to come out? The answer is the same as the lemon question—whatever is in you will become pretty obvious, sometimes pretty quickly.

If we respond to the trying of faith in a spiritual way, it will work within us, patience. But we do have to “let patience have her perfect work.”  Someone said, “A sudden provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man. It shows what an ill-tempered man I am.” So, when we are under pressure and being squeezed, what’s inside will show its true colors.

The Lord’s goal is for us to become mature and content. To get us there, He may have to squeeze out the unwanted stuff.

Reflection—Truly, the Lord provides many opportunities for us to be squeezed.