- Why does God test us?
- Why does God allow Satan to test and tempt Christians ?
- What’s the difference in Satan tempting us and God testing us?
- Are all troubles tests or trials?
Have you ever asked any of these questions?
I've asked all of them. That's why I decided to write this post. I know that we all go through trials and tribulations. In fact Jesus, before His arrest, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension said to His disciples;
John 16:33 (HCSB) I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the
The Difference Between Trials, Tests, and Temptation
There is a difference between a trial and a temptation, although both come from the same Greek word—peirasmos. They are often used interchangeably, though. After all, temptation is a trial (of faith), and every trial is a temptation (to grumble). When the word appears in the New Testament the context helps us to see which interpretation is meant. There are therefore differences and similarities between trials and temptations. Although we must not push the distinctions too far, here are examples of the differences:
1. In their ultimate origin. Temptations come from the flesh; trials are sent from God. He allowed Satan to test Job (Job 1:6-12). Therefore when we speak of "trial" we see God's fingerprints; when we see temptation, we see our own—or the devil's.
2. In their immediate origin. Temptation comes from within; trials usually come from outside us. Job suffered physically, but inwardly—at least at first—there was no apparent struggle.
3. In their moral relevance. Temptation, when it is sexual in nature, has considerable moral relevance, but a trial may be what I would want to call morally neutral, such as illness or losing one's keys.
4. With reference to what is tested. Temptation will usually attack a weak spot; trials test our strength as well as exposing a weakness we may have been unaware of—as with Job, who turned out to be so self-righteous. - EXEGESIS ON JAMES 1 - TRIALS, TESTS & TEMPTATION Written by Christlikeminds Publications
The Greek word for testing used in James 1:3 is dokimos and it means to pass scrutiny, validated, verified, confirmed as being genuine
James 1:3 (HCSB) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Does God Really Test, Tempt or Try Us?
This Bible says that God doesn’t tempt or test us. He doesn’t tempt us to sin, He doesn’t test us to try our faith, or to become discouraged, depressed, or angry. According to James those temptations come from us.
James 1:13 (HCSB) No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.
James 1:14-15 (HCSB)14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
The Bible does say this about things that come from God.
James 1:17 (HCSB) Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.
There are however, instances in scripture where God allows Satan to test or try us. The one we think of most Satan's attack of Job. The test is administered by Satan not God and nowhere is it said that God allowed it in order for Him to test Job. In fact God limited what He allowed Satan to do to Job.
Job 1:9-12 (HCSB)9 Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?10 Haven’t You placed a hedge around him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.11 But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”12 “Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, you must not lay a hand on Job ⌊himself⌋.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence.
Job 2:4-7 (HCSB)4 “Skin for skin!” Satan answered the LORD. “A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life.5 But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”6 “Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “he is in your power; only spare his life.”7 So Satan left the LORD’s presence and infected Job with terrible boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head.
God doesn't test us He enables us to deal with the tests, trials, and tribulations that we cause ourselves or that come by way of Satan.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB)13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (HCSB)9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
The Results of Tests, Trials, and Temptations
Although God doesn't test us through trials and tribulations He does use them for our benefit.
Romans 8:28-29 (NLT)28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Perseverance in testing results in spiritual maturity and completeness
James 1:2-4 (HCSB)2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
1 Peter 1:3-7 (HCSB)3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.6 You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials7 so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (HCSB)6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8 There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.
Trials develop character
Romans 5:3-5 (HCSB)3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.5 This hope will not disappoint ⌊us⌋, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Philippians 4:13 (HCSB) I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
James 1:12 (HCSB) A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
Although God doesn't test us through trials and tribulations He does use them for our benefit.
Romans 8:28-29 (NLT)28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Perseverance in testing results in spiritual maturity and completeness
James 1:2-4 (HCSB)2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials,3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
1 Peter 1:3-7 (HCSB)3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.6 You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials7 so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (HCSB)6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8 There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.
Trials develop character
Romans 5:3-5 (HCSB)3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.5 This hope will not disappoint ⌊us⌋, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Philippians 4:13 (HCSB) I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
James 1:12 (HCSB) A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
No Excuses Everything is Not a Test
We sometimes make excuses for living unwisely by calling them tests, trials, and tribulations. Our foolishness and sins have consequences but those consequences are on us.
Romans 6:23 (HCSB) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians 6:7-10 (HCSB)7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap,8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
This is a modification to the original blog post
ENDURANCE I AM FAITHFUL: I WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR.
Find comfort and hope in this powerful promise. I know you sometimes feel as if you’re at the outer limits of your endurance. Nonetheless, I am present in the midst of your struggles—available to help you. Every trial that comes into your life can either strengthen you (if you keep on trusting in My care) or become a temptation to sin (if you choose instead to doubt Me and go your own way). Thus, any difficulty you face becomes a test of your faith. This faith of yours is much more precious than gold, and it grows deeper through the testing process. So your trials contain meaning and purpose. When you feel as if your faith is being stretched to the breaking point, it’s helpful to remember that what you’re experiencing is common to man. You have not been uniquely singled out to endure adversity; suffering is inevitable in a fallen world. The most important thing to remember is that I am faithful —totally worthy of your trust in all situations. I know exactly how much you can bear, and I set limits to your suffering. Do not multiply your trouble by projecting it into the future as if it were endless, for I can relieve or remove it at any moment. Your job is to continue trusting Me in the present, waiting for Me to provide a way out—in My way and timing! As you wait in My Presence, be of good courage. I will strengthen your heart.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 . . . that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 PETER 1:7 NKJV Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! PSALM 27:14 NKJV
You Can Pass Any Test, Persevere During Any Trial and Overcome Any Tribulation
No matter the test, trial, or tribulation you can win, but only if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you haven’t you are guaranteed to lose. Here’s how you change the loss into victory.
Romans 10:9 (NLT) If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Pray this prayer in all sincerity. It doesn’t matter where you are. You may be at your desk on your computer, or somewhere on your laptop, you may be reading this on your smartphone, or your tablet. It doesn’t matter just pray in all sincerity. Don’t just say it if you don’t really mean it, because if you do you will just be speaking words. But if you are tired of trying to change things in your own power, and are ready to turn your life over to the One who can make you a new creature with a renewed heart and mind pray;
“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!”
If you truly understand and believe what you just prayed then these promises of eternal life apply to you. So do all the other promises that God has made to believers. To find out what they are and how they apply to you find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers. Welcome to the family of God my brother or sister.
We sometimes make excuses for living unwisely by calling them tests, trials, and tribulations. Our foolishness and sins have consequences but those consequences are on us.
Romans 6:23 (HCSB) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians 6:7-10 (HCSB)7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap,8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
This is a modification to the original blog post
ENDURANCE I AM FAITHFUL: I WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR.
Find comfort and hope in this powerful promise. I know you sometimes feel as if you’re at the outer limits of your endurance. Nonetheless, I am present in the midst of your struggles—available to help you. Every trial that comes into your life can either strengthen you (if you keep on trusting in My care) or become a temptation to sin (if you choose instead to doubt Me and go your own way). Thus, any difficulty you face becomes a test of your faith. This faith of yours is much more precious than gold, and it grows deeper through the testing process. So your trials contain meaning and purpose. When you feel as if your faith is being stretched to the breaking point, it’s helpful to remember that what you’re experiencing is common to man. You have not been uniquely singled out to endure adversity; suffering is inevitable in a fallen world. The most important thing to remember is that I am faithful —totally worthy of your trust in all situations. I know exactly how much you can bear, and I set limits to your suffering. Do not multiply your trouble by projecting it into the future as if it were endless, for I can relieve or remove it at any moment. Your job is to continue trusting Me in the present, waiting for Me to provide a way out—in My way and timing! As you wait in My Presence, be of good courage. I will strengthen your heart.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 . . . that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 PETER 1:7 NKJV Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! PSALM 27:14 NKJV
You Can Pass Any Test, Persevere During Any Trial and Overcome Any Tribulation
No matter the test, trial, or tribulation you can win, but only if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you haven’t you are guaranteed to lose. Here’s how you change the loss into victory.
Romans 10:9 (NLT) If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Pray this prayer in all sincerity. It doesn’t matter where you are. You may be at your desk on your computer, or somewhere on your laptop, you may be reading this on your smartphone, or your tablet. It doesn’t matter just pray in all sincerity. Don’t just say it if you don’t really mean it, because if you do you will just be speaking words. But if you are tired of trying to change things in your own power, and are ready to turn your life over to the One who can make you a new creature with a renewed heart and mind pray;
“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!”
If you truly understand and believe what you just prayed then these promises of eternal life apply to you. So do all the other promises that God has made to believers. To find out what they are and how they apply to you find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers. Welcome to the family of God my brother or sister.
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