SINCE I DON’T BELIEVE IN BEATING A DEAD HORSE NOR DO I WANT TO DRAG IT THROUGH THE DIRT, MUD, OR (PICK YOUR POISON), THIS WILL BE MY LAST POST FOR NOW ON THIS SUBJECT.
If you want to know what I am talking about, check out this post and this post. In this post I hope to do what I said I was going to do in the last one (before I got sidetracked). My mission (should I choose to accept it) is to somehow makes sense of what I have written. 🙂 Seriously, I would like to spend a few words on temptation vs. testing. I Cor.10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” That, my friends, is a pretty broad verse. And if you are like me you will say, “But what about the ones who fall? You know…all those preacher-type dudes that preached this-and-that but then went out and did…well…you know.” Throw in the “other” verse: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life…Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God”, and it would be real easy to get our undies in a bunch (or at least make our spiritual head spin). I learned something recently that I was never aware of: in Scripture’s original NT language, there is just one word for temptation and trial; the same Greek word is used interchangeably, based on the intent of the passage. One rule of Bible study is to always study the context of a passage. I am wondering if James’ point is that every difficult circumstance that enters a believer’s life can either strengthen him if he obeys God and remains confident in His care, or it can become an invitation to evil if the believer chooses to doubt God and disobey.
MY. SIMPLE. WAY. TO. UNDERSTAND. IT. IS. THIS (keeping in mind the whole intent of the passage idea): The purpose of a trial and temptation are different because of their different focus. Temptation is a solicitation to do evil. It comes from the enemy and is meant to pull me down. A trial is meant to change my character and, therefore, it comes from God. A trial will not last forever and will be overcome. What holds me up through those tough times is hanging on (sometimes with just my fingernails) to the promise that God has made: “I will never leave nor forsake you.” James is clear that God does not tempt anyone. That is the work of his archenemy. Neither trials nor temptations happen without His knowledge. The trial happens to change me and for God to be glorified.
I feel inadequate in this discussion, to be honest. I have questions-questions that may never be answered here on earth. I can accept that. What do you think? I welcome any thoughts you may have on this subject.
I think you’re spot on: sometimes all I feel like I have to cling onto is (like you) “I will never leave nor forsake you.” So often I feel inadequate to offer any sort of insight or advice…. but then God reminds me that “all have fallen short” and He is the only one who is perfect.
Desperation leads us to Him-in more ways than one. You have the right direction Dustin. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Bill,
I have an old ‘The Living Bible’ paraphrased by Tyndale House published in 1971. I got it out to look up the 2 scriptures you have quoted in your post from I Corinthians and James.
This is the way they paraphrase the one in James vs 12 ‘happy is the man who doesn’t give in and do wrong when he is tempted…’ and vs 14 says ‘temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes. These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to the death penalty from God.’
the paraphrase in I Corinthians vs 13 says ‘the wrong desires that come into your life aren’t anything new or different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresitable. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says’.
Evil desires doesn’t seem to be the same things as trials experienced by christians because of the name of Jesus. This seems like 2 different things to me.
The apostles were hauled into the Sanhedrin and flogged because they were preaching and teaching the name of Jesus as the Messiah. And teaching that Jesus is the Son of God and God himself. Their trial seems different from the evil desires temptations of men.
just some thoughts again.
Appreciate your thoughts Linda. I have to admit that I don’t trust the LB since it a paraphrase.
trials are different than temptations.
Hi Bill,
I’ll agree with you on the definition of trial and temptation. God as our father may sometimes not be satisfied with our spiritual growth and then He tries us, knowing that at the end, we will be mature. It’s the “trial” we as human beings see as suffering and I think it’s because our understanding is far far different from His understanding.
You are right Mercy. Our thinking and understanding are far different from God’s. Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Bill,
what’s interesting to me is that the devil first tried temptation with Jesus in the wilderness under the circumstances of Jesus fasting for 40 days and nights.
When the devil was not sucessful in his temptations that he put to Jesus he then left him for a season and when opportunity came the devil tried to kill Jesus. He was successful at killing him through the Jews, Romans and the instrument of the cross.
The lesson as I see it is that the enemy will try and if he fails, he will return. Promised.
I wouldn’t say that satan was “successful” at killing Jesus. Jesus death was His very own defeat. He tempted Jesus through Peter telling Him NOT to go to the cross. He knew that his final defeat would be at the cross. He even tempted him when Jesus was hanging on it by saying (thought the crowd): “if you really are the son of God, get down and save yourself”.
Jesus Himself said, “No one takes it [life] from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” (John 10:18)
Jesus willingly went to the cross. He went like lamb to the slaughter. It was his purpose from the very beginning. Satan didn’t kill him. Jesus on that cross, sealed satan’s defeat.
Good thought Moe.
You know how in those times of trial, when you really press in to God and are clinging to His promises, and you feel guilty that it took a crisis to get you there? What if that’s ok? When I’m walking down a stairway I slide my hand along the rail. I don’t think about hanging on to it, it’s just second nature. However, when my foot slips on the step and I stumble, then I grasp the rail with all my might. It is the only thing keeping me from falling. I’m not saying that God causes me to fall, but He is there for me to cling to when I slip.
Great post, Bill!
Great analogy Melissa. I know exactly what you are talking about. When all else fails, there is only one place to grab-the hand of Jesus. Thanks for a great comment.
What you said makes sense to me, Bill.
Thanks Jason.
Acknowledging that the answers you have may not be adequate is the type of honesty that we need more of. I’m glad that I can’t fully comprehend God. If that was possible, He wouldn’t be much of a God.
I agree Matt. Putting God on my level won’t work. 🙂 Thanks.
The word “temptation” in Greek is a neutral word, it has no moral connotation whatsoever. It just means a trial, a test, temptation.
If we say temptation, that leans hard against the word sin, doesn’t it? If we say trial, it kind of leans hard against the word righteousness. We look at trials as those things that make us more godly. We look at temptations as those things that make us sinful. But the word itself has no moral connotation. And in that sense, the things we have to go through in life that God allows us to go through in life can be trials or temptations so it’s a good word. You could say, “Lead us not into trials,” but you’d still have to define that. “Lead us not into any trial that’s more than we can bear. Lead us not into any trial that’s going to become to us an overwhelming temptation which could cause some disaster and some disgrace and some shame.” These are prayers of protection. We all believe in the sovereignty of God, we all believe in the protecting promises of God. But at the same time, we have seen Christian after Christian after Christian crash and burn and we ourselves know our own hearts, know ourselves well enough to have had some kind of history of falling into sin because we got into a place where we became victimized by temptation. We were either in the wrong place or didn’t have the heart preparation.
Not sure what you mean by “leans hard against.” Can’t comment until I know what you mean by that Ike.
I read the first post on conflict, but not the comments and i didn’t read the second post or the comments or the comments here. Clear as mud. But I did read this post :). Ok I agree with you and taking into consideration this might already have been asked, if God doesn’t tempt us, I’m confused about the testing of God then. Isn’t that sort of a way to tempt us to see how and what we are made of? God gave Abraham a choice to kill his son or disobey…ok, its not the same as temptation like drugs, sex, etc…but I’m sure he was tempted to disobey. What do you think? Is there a difference? Are the two words in scripture have different meanings that what we think of today?
I believe that God tested Abraham’s faith..to see if he was willing to obey in spite of the “end result.” It definitely tested his character and developed it. It also showed God that Abe was willing to do something drastic in order to be obedient. Hebrews seems to indicate that Abe did this knowing that even if he did, he believed was able to raise Isaac from the dead. As for Abe’s temptation, I can’t speak because the Bible doesn’t address it. Thanks for the questions Michelle. I am hoping someone else can add to this. Thanks Michelle for coming by.
If the two words temptation and trial can be interchangeable, then my thinking is the scripture in James says that ‘God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;’ that would mean to me that God does not test us either.
But the scripture says in Hebrews 11:17 that God did test Abraham.
Just my 5 cents worth.
Gotta look at the context of the passage Linda as well as supporting Scripture. Inflation hit? No longer 2 cents worth? 🙂
I’ve always said that God doesn’t test us to see what’s real, he obviously knows the outcome, but he tests us so that we can see the state of our heart.
Good point Charlie. I do think you have it right. Thanks.
Maybe our Dad tests us so we can be real? Let me rephrase that:
Maybe He tests us so…we…can…BE…real.
Perhaps His purposely bringing us into conflicts, confrontations, hardships, etc, (knowing He has it all under His own control), is His way of forcing us to be real for once and not to be all ‘woe is me’.
Just a thought.
Thought well-taken Donald. Thanks. I believe Charlie is saying just that.
What’s interesting about this is that Peter mentions both in the same context:
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold TEMPTATIONS:
That the TRIAL of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (emphasis mine)
So it seems to me that Temptations do not come from God, but he will use them to “test” our faith so that it is found to be praise worthy.
Let’s take a look at Jobs life. God was “trying” job’s faith in a clever chess game with Satan and Job being the pawn. The human in me says, “that’s kind of cruel”. But the Spirit in me says, “God saw him through this hard times”.
Now, Also, the Word says that Jesus just after He got baptized was “led by the spirit” into the dessert to be “tempted”. Now, Did God tempt Jesus? No, but he did allow him to be tempted so that we (the recipients of His grace) can see how he overcame temptation and we can have the same approach.
All this to say, God doesn’t tempt, but he may use temptation to “burn off” those things that prevent our faith from “shining through”.
DISCLOSURE: I haven’t done an in depth study, so this is just “on-the-spot” thinking so there is a possibility that it’s too late at night and that chicken sandwich was too heavy for my stomach. 🙂
I definitely don’t believe that God tempts Moe. james is pretty clear about that. I do believe that the enemy cannot touch a believer without “permission” from God, i.e. Job. You make a good case for God allowing temptation (and trials) for a specific purpose. I think the key is who is the SOURCE of either one. That gives us a clue as to what is the motivation for each.
Thanks for the disclaimer. 🙂 And thanks for adding to the discussion.
Moe,
I would put this all into the simplified theological box of sonship, and opine that Job and his situation occurred at the hands of our Father so that we could be having this discussion today in 2011 about Job and his situation which occurred at the hands of our Father.
There. 🙂
There. 😛
How dare you simplify stuff for us. Blasphemy!!! 🙂
my instinct tells me Moe that God does not play ‘chess games with peoples lives’. That would be disheartening and I believe would be out of the character of a good and loving God.
What we’re doing as Christians is real and life threatening. No games are being played by God. We’re in a battle, a fight for our own lives and the lives of others.
I think what happened with Job was God removing his protection of Job. Job stayed with God under the most horrendous experiences that a person can go through in life. This was no game to God, this was no game to Job. This was God trusting Job and Job trusting God when everything was falling to pieces around him.
just some thoughts.
i can’t answer for Moe, Linda, but I don’t believe he was using that literally. It was a metaphor for the wrestling match and accusations going on between God and satan. No one would make light of the battle taking place for our souls. If I misunderstood you Moe, please say so.
This certainly is an age old question. I think your answer is certainly on target. Not too much I can add to this good discussion and it certainly is that.
I wonder if this age-old question will ever be answered. 🙂 Thanks Jim.
I always go back to Job.
Job 1:8-12 TNIV
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
It appears to me God didn’t test Job, but he allowed Satan to throw his best at him. I tend to believe that God does not tempt us but he knows and allows any temptation that we encounter. And the best part is that he will provide us the strength to endure if we seek him. Not by our power, knowledge, or strength, but by the power of God.
That’s just me. Your mileage may vary.
-Peace
While your mileage may be on a Harley Allen, I agree. I think your example of Job is the one we should go to when trying grasp some of the truth of testing/trials. Thanks for coming by.
Bill,
Saw this posting over at Modern Reject. Thought of you and your topic here. Enjoy!
http://modernreject.com/2010/11/god-will-give-you-more-than-you-can-handle/
Thanks Donald. Will go check it out.
Bill,
Thank you for commenting on Modern Reject and directing me to this discussion.
Glad to “meet” you.
I love the discussion you’ve got going on here. I don’t have much to add that has not already been said.
I think one mistake many believers make, is assuming that their temptation and/or trial is strictly from Satan. When in fact, it is always our Lord allowing such trials and temptations.
Sure, sometimes we are inviting the temptation through poor choices, but everything that is placed before us passes through the throne room of the Lord first.
I find comfort in this and a bit of uneasiness. I’d like to “blame” the enemy, but often I should be thanking God instead,for the opportunity to be refined like fine gold.
Thanks for visiting Nicole. I agree with you that we tend to make that mistake. i do believe that God does allow trials to develop us and to lead us to Him. I also like your idea of being uneasy blaming the enemy for everything. Sometimes it is my own dumb fault. Thanks again for coming by.
Bill, I don’t think I have much more to add. This post has really got me thinking, but like you said, sometimes we will never know. I do have one question though-do you think a temptation could turn into a trial?
All I know for certain is that faith means believing what can’t be seen. I take joy in knowing that in our weakest moments, God is made stronger.