Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). Each test was a temptation or enticement to sin. It’s not a sin to be tempted. But there exists in every trial a potential for us to disobey God. Job, severely tested by Satan (Job 1–2), didn’t sin against God (2:10). Mrs. Job, however, responded differently: “Curse God and die,” she said (2:9). Her response shows the potential danger in every trial or temptation we face. That’s why we need to pray, “Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). To resist temptation, we need to:
• Be alert to the dangers of evil around us. Satan asked permission to test Peter (Luke 22:31). Because Peter did not heed Jesus’ warning, he denied the Lord (Luke 22:34,56- 62). Jesus said, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation” (Matthew 26:41).
• Resist the devil with the Word of God. In Luke 4, Jesus responded to Satan’s temptations by quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3 (Luke 4:4), Deuteronomy 6:13 (Luke 4:8), and Deuteronomy 6:16 (Luke 4:12). Just as Jesus used the Scriptures to overcome Satan and temptation, so should we.
• Trust in God who is faithful. God uses the trials of life to perfect us (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-8). If these trials couldn’t build us up, He wouldn’t allow them. Surely, our heavenly Father will be with us in whatever we face. We persevere because He provides us with His all-sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Our fear of failure is dispelled when we realize that God may place a load on us but will never overload us. He will provide a way out so that we can endure. He is the faithful God we can trust in the midst of any trial (1 Corinthians 10:13).
More:
• Psalm 119:9-11
• 1 Peter 5:8-10
Next:
What trials of life are you going through at this moment? What potential danger to sin exists in these trials? What must you do to overcome the temptations?
pjp on October 15, 2010 at 3:56 am
praise God.
tony rodriguez on October 15, 2010 at 8:52 am
IT IS AMAZING TO ME HOW GOD WORKS THINGS OUT FOR THE GOOD FOR THOSE THAT LOVE HIM. WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT THESE EXACT VERSES IN CHURCH. THANK YOU HOLY SPIRIT FOR CONFIRMATION AND THANK YOU K.T. FOR YOUR OBEDIENCE. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU.
cuddles on October 15, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Why is it that although I know that I should not give in to temptation, I fail so often, just today I fell out with my brother-in-law and accused him of being a poor example of a christian, it just shows me how hard it is to put this into everyday life. I know people who are so good at this and I despair with myself because I am so easy distracted from doing what is right.
Nuka on October 15, 2010 at 6:13 pm
@ cuddles:
I think 1 thing that matters is ur heart:do u really desire it n how gr8 is ur desire?
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,for they shall be filled.”
If there’s no gr8 desire 4 righteousness,that should be your starting point.
If there is,jst hang on and keep trusting God,4 though the righteous man fall (not limited to) 7 times, he’ll surely rise again.Stay close to Him 4 strength n protection,and 2 give less room to temptation.God bless u.
P.S.I speak based on my experience in my walk with God as I’m really willing 2 help where I can.I’m just a lonely pilgrim like u,with like toils and stuggles.’ll pra 4 u.Peace.
cuddles on October 16, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Nuka
Thank your for your words of encouragement. Why is it that I find my family and friends where I usually go for encouragement usually leave me in despair. My father was my rock, he has been dead for 10 years and I now realize that he was always the voice of reason and it came naturally to him I miss him so much.
edmundkingdom on November 20, 2010 at 2:53 am
There’s time I doubt why God tests us since we have enough problems in our life already but praise God, comments above have answered my question. I now know that God may allow devils to tempt us but will never overload us. Thanks God !
tom felten on October 15, 2010 at 8:39 am
Great question, Jimbo. Personally I have gained much through a battle with chronic disease. In fact, it has helped me draw even closer to God. A resource that I recommend you check out is an online article titled “Does God Want Me Well?” You can find it at: http://www.rbc.org/bible-study/discovery-series/bookletDetail.aspx?id=48220
daisymarygoldr on October 15, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Jimbo, you are right, we live in a fallen world and bad things happen to us, either by satan or our own actions.
The answer to the first part of your question is: God does not tempt us to ‘sin’ (James 1:13). As seen in the case of Job and Jesus, He permits the devil to tempt us but will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear and is faithful to also provide the way to escape and not be enticed by sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).
In response to the second part of your question, yes, God does test our faith (James 1:3) as He had tested father Abraham (Genesis 22:1).
So, whether it is our own actions or the result of living in a fallen world, bad things like ‘sickness and misery’ happen for our faith to be proved genuine (1 Peter 1:7) and our patience during such trials may honor Jesus Christ.
Your sister is in my prayers…