Exhortation - Trial and Temptation

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Insight

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Aug 7, 2011
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This morning I would like for us to focus our attention on the related issues of trial and temptation.

I’m sure that there are times when all of us feel somewhat helpless in the face of trial going on in our midst.

We might be able to see and perceive that a brother or sisters is struggling in some way, and we might feel a need to help them. To reach out in some way and relieve the burden. But what do you say? What can you do?

It’s interesting when one starts to look at this subject. Because one soon finds that the subjects of temptation and trial in our lives are very much linked.

In fact the same Greek word is used of both in the New Testament, and most of the time its translated ‘temptation’

And on the surface this leads us to some contradictions.

James 1

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

And yet:

Hebrews 3 (God speaking)

8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.

And furthermore:

John 6

5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

Again, same word. So already you can see that the context is very important for determining the meaning of the word.

Let’s have a look at another one:

1[sup]st[/sup] Corinthians 10

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

And I have often heard that verse quoted in relation to trial. In fact I’ve even heard of that verses being quoted to brethren and sisters who are burdened down with trial. ‘don’t worry brother, God won’t try you above what you are able… you wouldn’t be going through this if you couldn’t handle it...’

And yet… is that a fair use of this passage? We’ll come back to that later.

But hopefully, what we can see from these verses brethren and sisters, that this is a subject that needs care.

As we can see the Greek words for ‘temptation’ and ‘tempted’ in scripture refer to a variety of experiences. They do not (as we might sometimes assume) necessarily always refer to ‘temptation to sin’.

In looking at this subject and trying to get a handle on it brethren and sisters, I believe that broadly that ‘temptation’ falls into two categories.

It can be temptation from God or it can be temptation which is from Man and this same word is used of all the following forms of ‘temptation’:

The word temptation is used in the New Testament of any of the following:
  • It can be a trial or a test specifically sent by God.
  • It can be putting yourself on trial through thorough self examination
  • It could be enticement to sin from external sources or circumstances…
  • It can be enticement to sin from internal lusts and desires
  • It can be physical persecution
  • It can be general trial caused by human nature or circumstance
  • It can be used of man’s provoking (‘tempting’) of God
Some of those come from God – and are specifically targeted at man.

Some of those come from man – but God allows them to happen and uses them for His own ends.

All these things brethren and sisters can be meant by the word temptation. What is meant in one verse or another though, is of course always determined by the context.

Now, let’s just deal with a couple of instances to show the care we need to take on this subject.

James 1 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

This is referring specifically to enticement to sin from internal lusts and desires. And the point of this passage is to teach us that God does not trigger these within us.

1[sup]st[/sup] Corinthians 10 is talking about temptation in a different form.

1[sup]st[/sup] Corinthians 10

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

This is talking about enticement to sin from external sources or circumstances.

I think also it is temptation which we come by innocently, not temptation we deliberately flirt with. Note the important phrase ‘taken you’

It seems to me that this passage is saying that if God allows a temptation to come our way during the course of our daily life, it will be one that:

1) Many other faithful have confronted in one form or another and successfully overcome
2) It will not be one that we have no possibility of overcoming
3) Whilst allowing the temptation to beset us, He and the angels will ensure there is ‘a way of escape’

Now, we may choose to ignore the ‘way of escape’. We may not realise it is there, but it most definitely will be there. To take advantage of it however, we have to have a mindset which wants to flee, wants to overcome.

A classic scriptural example is of course, Joseph. Such was his reliability that God could allow that temptation to beset him, provide him the open door, and know that he was minded to flee through it. Here is an example of a temptation which God could allow Joseph to be innocently confronted with, and yet, one which He may not allow other of His children to experience.

Note, the Apostle is not speaking about trial in a general sense. It sounds nice to say that you won’t ever be put through a trial which you wouldn’t cope with, but It simply isn’t true that God does not bring trial upon us unless we are sure to bear it successfully.

If it was true, we wouldn’t have people leaving the truth, and yet we do. And we are explicitly told in scripture that trial can lead to falling away. This is demonstrated most powerfully in the parable of the sower.

Luke 8
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Here, this is speaking of trial. Not enticement to sin. (See parallel passage in Mark which expands on this and mentions the heat of the sun as reason for wilting).

Why do I say that? Because the temptation that is ‘enticement to sin’ is really the subject of the thorny ground.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Clearly then, the temptation of verse 13 is to be differentiated from that of verse 14.

So then, if verse 13 is speaking of people falling away as a result of trial, then clearly trial can be such that people ‘break under the strain’.

We have incidents in scripture where trial and affliction brought about by God have been calculated to humble and break a person, and rather than it being ‘fait accompli’ that these people would pass through victorious, for some of them it seems to have been very much ‘in the balance’. It must be noted that God does not do this without the ultimate objective or saving, restoring, raising up, delivering… benefiting someone ‘faithful are the wounds of a friend’ – Proverbs 27:6
  • Job (Result: Repentance, prayer for his friends, elevation, God’s blessing) did it look like he was coping!?
  • Jonah (Swallowed by a fish, surely physical suffering, calculated to change him. Jonah certainly couldn’t have got any lower)
  • Jacob (Literally maimed in order to cause him to lean on God)
  • Judah (Through God and Joseph working together to cause trial for purpose of recovery)
  • David? (Son dead, physical sickness)
  • Nebuchadnezzar (Reduced to going on all fours)
All these people were subjected to pressure which put them into circumstances where sometimes for a long time they were ‘down and out’ so to speak.
And yet, because the clung on to God in their trial, because they the word of God was deep in their hearts, ultimately they pulled through.

What we can say is this:

And this is the common denominator about this word ‘temptation’;
All these circumstances TEST us.
These circumstances can all SHAPE us for good.
Depending on how we RESPOND to them.
God is interested in our response to all these types of Testing.

Our response can exacerbate or ameliorate the severity and consequences of Temptation or trial. (make better or make worse)

A positive, response and result from all these experiences comes from responding as the scriptures recommend, with;
  • Watching/Self examination in light of the word
  • Praying
  • Acquaintance and re-acquaintance with scriptures
  • The development of a deeply rooted faith
  • Humility
  • Contentment with lot
  • Joyful disposition
  • Reminding oneself that this is positive in terms of its purpose
  • Praise
  • Trust in God’s ability to deliver
That sort of response to our trials and temptations will provide the quickest road to recovery brethren and sisters… and the result of such a response can be:
  • joy
  • confidence
  • stronger relationship with God
  • spiritual progress
  • positive habit forming
  • empathy
  • pride
A negative response could lead to:
  • penitence
  • education
  • improvement
  • hardened heart
  • bitterness
  • sin
  • more sin
  • habit forming
  • depression
  • health issues
  • more trial – self inflicted
Our response can exacerbate or ameliorate the severity and consequences of Temptation.

Even an initial negative response, could be the means of positive growth.
Because even our own sins can be used by Him as a shaping tool.

It is important to remember that God is able to work above our weaknesses, with our weaknesses and through our weaknesses whilst never excusing our weaknesses.

I think at times brethren and sisters, when we see people going through trial and difficulty there can be a tendency to look at their life and situation and conclude a reason for the trial…
It’s important to remember:

We almost always don’t know the full story.

Job was not afflicted physically because of his sins. Job’s friends had concluded incorrectly. However, if Job hadn’t been physically struck because of his sins, some in Corinth were. (1[sup]st[/sup] Corinthians 11:30)

When God causes a trial to occur we need to appreciate that it’s probably not for only one reason. God could in one act have multiple outcomes in mind.
  • Correction could be in view.
  • Punishment could be in view.
  • Testing could be in view.
  • Education could be in view.
And all of them at the same time and not necessarily just for the person who is being affected! (How much of Job’s experiences were undergone by him for the ultimate benefit of his friends?)

Isn’t it true brethren and sisters that when people in our midst are suffering it’s not just a test for them, but it’s also one for us? How are we going to respond? Perhaps this is God wanting to test our compassion and care.

Brethren and sisters, we do not know what trials lie ahead of this Church. Many financial analysts and economic forecasters would suggest that 2009 is going to be a very difficult year with rising unemployment and its attendant ramifications. This raises the possibility of financial pressure, falling behind on mortgage repayments, etc. Pressure. Stress. Rising Tempers. Health Issues.

We don’t know what will confront us.

We need to firmly fix in our minds the fact that for us all these challenges are not meaningless, random events to be responded to in our own strength. Our Heavenly Father is going to be intensely interested in how we respond as individuals and collectively.

And all these things are the very experiences necessary to prepare us for reigning with our Lord.
All these experiences need to be weighed along side the glory which is set before us, in order that we might see them in their correct perspective.

Too often brethren and sisters when others are down, struggling, have major issues in their life, we feel it necessary to impart words of advice and perhaps sometimes that’s unsolicited or casual advice on the fly and that’s not what is needed.

The Bible shows us that it takes great skill and wisdom to be able to speak a word in season to the weary, and there is a time and place for that, but often brethren and sisters, people just need to know that you are there and you understand and you’re making an effort to understand…
A quick bible quote out of context for a person struggling, a neat little clique or phrase is not really going to lift a burden, in fact it has even been known to be damaging.

We need to become good listeners. Try to really understand what people are going through. The fact that you’ve taken the time to share in their suffering and listen to them is going someway to lightening the burden.

Our Lord brethren and sisters came in contact daily during his ministry with people in great need. Some of them were habitual sinners who had got themselves into an enormous rut, some of them were physically maimed and diseased, and some were insane and blind. Trials!

And our Lord had compassion on them, he put forth his had and touched them, he asked what their name was, he said ‘how long has your son been in this condition’? He asked them; ‘what would you like me to do for you’? He took people aside privately – away from the multitude and prayed for them. He encouraged them, he got involved. He cared. And the people who were the recipients of his care and healing touch could see that it wasn’t just a mechanical thing… it was personal, intimate… real.

And that’s what we need to do brethren and sisters. We need to follow our Lord’s example.
And if we try to do that, the glorious thing is that we can be the means by which our Lord continues to heal, continues to encourage and inspire. Because we can be him to one another. And it won’t be just the bread and wine that we partake of now that reminds us of him, it will be the care and love of one another that bring him to our remembrance as well.

He’s still involved in our lives - in all our trials and temptations. He is still there to respond and encourage. He has been through all manner of trials and temptations and has been exalted to the highest place on account of his victory. And he’s there for us.

As we now remember His death. His resurrection. His Ascension and His ongoing life.


Extra Notes:

Peirasmos broadly falls into two categories; (with a possible third) temptation of God and temptation which is of Man and this same word is used of all the following forms of ‘temptation’:

1. From God (Targeted at Man)
  1. Testing
  2. Self Examination

2. From Man (Allowed and used by God)
  1. Enticement to Sin from external sources/circumstances *
  2. Enticement to Sin from internal lusts/desires **
  3. Persecution
  4. General Trial caused by human nature and human circumstances

3. Provocation of God (Tempting God)

* God limits the degree of these temptations, and always provides a way of escape. (1[sup]st[/sup] Corinthians 10)
** God never triggers these within us. (James 1)

Which category(s) could the following come under?
  • Measles (f)
  • Chruch strife (a, e, f)
  • Loss of house due to financial difficulties (a, f)
  • Marriage breakdown (f)
  • Difficult personality in the Church (a, f)
  • Child does not accept the truth (f)
  • Ridicule from neighbors about faith (e)
  • Sore back (f)
  • Married wrong person (d, f)
  • Cut off on road by crazy ‘P plater’ (a, c, f)
  • Internal struggle to do the right thing (b
  • Exciting movie with ungodly themes (d)
  • A tragic car accident involving mission workers (a)
If people react in stubborn rebellion to Him, and show themselves recalcitrant and wicked, God can and does utterly destroy them… ‘without remedy’ (Proverbs 29:1)
  • Pharaoh (plenty of opportunities, and then slam)
  • Balaam (plenty of opportunities, and then slam)
  • Saul (plenty of opportunities, and then slam)
  • Judas (plenty of opportunities, and then slam)
A faith untested and untried is of limited value.
 

Insight

New Member
Aug 7, 2011
1,259
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Extra Notes:

Peirasmos broadly falls into two categories; (with a possible third) temptation of God and temptation which is of Man and this same word is used of all the following forms of ‘temptation’:

1. From God (Targeted at Man)
a.Testing
b.Self Examination

2. From Man (Allowed and used by God)

c.Enticement to Sin from external sources/circumstances *
d.Enticement to Sin from internal lusts/desires **
e.Persecution
f.General Trial caused by human nature and human circumstances

3. Provocation of God (Tempting God)

* God limits the degree of these temptations, and always provides a way of escape. (1[sup]st[/sup] Corinthians 10)
** God never triggers these within us. (James 1)

Which category(s) could the following come under?
  • Measles (f)
  • Chruch strife (a, e, f)
  • Loss of house due to financial difficulties (a, f)
  • Marriage breakdown (f)
  • Difficult personality in the Church (a, f)
  • Child does not accept the truth (f)
  • Ridicule from neighbors about faith (e)
  • Sore back (f)
  • Married wrong person (d, f)
  • Cut off on road by crazy ‘P plater’ (a, c, f)
  • Internal struggle to do the right thing (b
  • Exciting movie with ungodly themes (d)
  • A tragic car accident involving mission workers (a)
If people react in stubborn rebellion to Him, and show themselves recalcitrant and wicked, God can and does utterly destroy them… ‘without remedy’ (Proverbs 29:1)
  • Pharaoh (plenty of opportunities, and then slam)
  • Balaam (plenty of opportunities, and then slam)
  • Saul (plenty of opportunities, and then slam)
  • Judas (plenty of opportunities, and then slam)
A faith untested and untried is of limited value.


Thank you Comm for your PM and comments.

You will see the above list now corresponds with the letters in brackets (a). The letters were removed and replaced with numbers upon posting.

Hope this helps.

Insight
 

Comm.Arnold

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Apr 7, 2011
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Thank you Comm for your PM and comments.

You will see the above list now corresponds with the letters in brackets (a). The letters were removed and replaced with numbers upon posting.

Hope this helps.

Insight

Yeah no problem, I thought this was a pretty good thread but then those letters confused me.