TEMPTATIONS, TRIALS, AND TESTS

The Hebrew and Greek words translated in the Bible as various forms of temptations, trials, and tests are used somewhat interchangeably. These words have the meanings of testing, proving worth, refining, revealing weakness, stretching thin, enticing to do wrong, seducing, and inducing. However, the English word tempt is primarily understood to mean induce or entice to do evil. The three sources of the temptations to do evil are the world, 1 John 2:16 ... the flesh, James 1:14-15 ... and the devil, Matthew 4:3,1 Corinthians 7:5. God does not tempt us to do evil. "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone." James 1:13. However, He does allow us to be tempted and tested, Exodus 16:4, Deuteronomy 13:1-3, 1 Peter 1:6-7. God refines us by trials, Psalm 66:10, Isaiah 48:10. Temptations, trials, and tests are not sin ... but they can lead to sin if they are not dealt with in God's way. Jesus was tempted, tested, and tried ... but He did not sin. He is the "One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:14. The various forms of the words temptations, trials, and tests are used interchangeably in the following guidelines.

Pray that you will not enter into temptation. Jesus included the request "and do not lead us into temptation" in the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:13. In Gethsemane He said to three of His disciples, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." Luke 22:40.

Know that you are not alone in your struggle. Jesus understands what you are experiencing. He can sympathize with you because He too was tempted. "Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things ... For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." Hebrews 2:17-18. "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16. Other believers have been tempted and tried in similar ways. Your temptation is not unique. "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man." 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Plan on enduring. God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can endure. God limits your trials so that you can endure. You do not have to fail. "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13. With the temptation, He provides a way of escape. Why? He provides a way of escape so that you can endure the temptation. That verse contains no promise of immediate escape ... but it does promise that you can endure.

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Disciplemaking 1, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org. Bible Quotations are from the NASB unless noted.