The reading and study of Gods word is very important and we should take to thought carefully words when used,so we dont interpret out of context,cause one word,misunderstood can completely cause a total misunderstanding of the intent of that scripture.
i would like to begin by clearly defining and telling the difference between a temptation and a test.I have heard people using them interchangeably but from my studies they don't mean the same thing.
- A Temptation is something that seduces or has the quality to seduce;
the desire to have or do something that you should avoid;
the synonym for temptations is Enticement.
the verb for temptation is tempt: which means ,Provoke someone to something through(often false or exagerated) promises or persuasion.
The main idea of any temptation is to make you sin,or do something wrong.
- AUTHOR OF TEMPTATION
The main author of temptation is satan the devil.
Matthew 4:3
"And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread."
How do we know he is the tempter,in verse 5,he is actually called by his character
" Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary"
- He is the author of all your temptations.
- Satan main tool for his temptations is the things of this world,the things that appeals to the flesh.
15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.
He tried to entice Jesus with the world and the things in it;
- James 1:13-15,gives us a clear picture about temptations
being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.
14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.
- God is incapable of being tempted by evil and tempts no man;that means anything that tries to seduce you to sin isn't from God and God cannot tempt anyone with evil.God doesn't use Evil as a tool.God cannot tempt any man.
.17 Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down
from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
1John 1:5:
5 And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way].
There's is absolutely no darkness in God and God is incapable of using Evil to tempt his children or man.
Evils speaks of anything bad.sickness,pain,poverty,death,lies;think of anything that's evil its not from God.Every good and perfect gift comes from God.The devil cannot produce good, there's no good in him.
- Satan uses our passions and lusts as baits to tempt us;James 1:16
We must direct our passions right.Desire is a good tool for success,without desire you can not achieve anything.Desire is a drive to succeed.But Satan can also use those desires and get us to do wrong.
Matthew 4;Jesus just finished a fast and was hungry;a desire for food at that moment, Satan used that as an opportunity to entice him to do his purpose.
There are people who were caught stealing and when asked why,they say its because of hunger,Hunger in itself is not a bad thing its essential for growth,but you can satisfy that hunger either through the right or wrong way.
The desire to have sex,is a good desire but there's a proper time to fulfill that desire and it should be only in marriage,but unmarried people have the desire to have sex,so when that hunger comes,you want to satisfy that part of you,so Satan brings the idea into your mind,when you put that thought to action,you sin against Gods word.
this is where self control comes in,the ability to delay gratification.Success in life is achieved,when you delay gratification.
Let your desires be after the word of God,and constant fellowship keeps you in check.
Colosians 3:2-3;
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
- The result of yielding to temptation is sin and death;not necessarily physical death but it affects the communion you have with the holy spirit.
A very clear example is the story of the temptation in the garden of Eden. Satan will always ask you to do something against God and his word. Genesis 3; the result of Adam and eve yielding to the temptation by Satan the serpent cause a break in fellowship with God.
- We need to know that Satan is the most trickiest fellow that has ever existed;we should not be ignorant of his devises;one who is called the father of liars.2Corinthians 2:11;John 8:44.
- He is the serpent and the serpent is one of the cunniest creatures God created;Genesis 3:1;Revelations 12:9;Revelations 20:2.
- He is your Adversary; 1Peter 5:8 (an adversary is someone who offers opposition), Satan opposes anyone and anything of God.
- Satan is after you;believe it or not,he is.
- A Test is ; trial of of something to see if it works or how it works;
- Any standardized procedure for measuring sensitivity,memory,intelligence, aptitude or personality;
- A set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge.
Genesis 22:1 " AFTER THESE events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. "
- The main idea of a test is to bring out the best in you.You can only come out better after a test.
God tested and proved: to prove here means to ;Establish beyond every doubt.
So a Test ,proves you beyond any doubters that you are what you are.
We see the story of Job,his situation was both a test and a temptation,why?
Satan's intent was to get Job to sin and Gods intent was to prove Job beyond every doubt that he was what God said he was.
If we remember,God had boasted about Job and every time we confess what Gods word says we are,Satan the tempter always wants to tempt you and God allows him cause our word must be tried.Job 1,2.
In the trial of Abraham we don't hear satan participating at all,it was all of Gods intent to promote Abraham.
Genesis 22:13-18 ,Abraham passed the test and he was promoted to a new level in God,he discovered a fresh revelation about God.
In your walk with God expect to go through trials and temptations.James 1:2-4;2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are
enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3 Be assured and understand that
the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.4 But let endurance
and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
Understand a test is the proving of your faith...produces qualities that will be useful for your christian walk.So consider it Joy,cause at the end you will be prepared and lack nothing.Dont cry when you are tempted or tested but be glad and rejoice.
Finally;
according to 1corinthians 10:13;
- Temptation is a common thing,don't make it a big deal.Everyone goes through temptations.
- You can handle it;God knows you can handle it,hence he picked you for that one;God trust his grace in you.
- God is faithful;He will not let you fall..Psalms 121:3
- Be assured there a way of escape,this doesn't mean weakness,but in the temptation God gives you a way by which you capable,strong and powerful,you are able to bear up under it.
Don't be afraid God has you covered,what you are going through its just a test and it will make you better.Maintain your joy,cause the end of it is progress.
- Gold when put through the fire only comes out better.
1Peter 1:6-7;
6 [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations,
7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.
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