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How do we differentiate a "test" from a "temptation?"
Nelson Boils:
(20cNT) "Blessed is the man who remains firm under TEMPTATION, for, when he has stood the TEST, he will receive the crown of Life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him"-James 1:12
The verse switches from "temptation" to "test".Is the "temptation" a "test"?
What is the difference between being "tempted" and being "tested"?
God doesn't "tempt" us,but He "tests" us.What is the difference?
(20cNT)"A man is in every case tempted by his own passions — allured and enticed by them"-James 1:14
The "temptation" comes from our hearts,but the "test" comes from our Father.
Thought I'd add these wonderful verses about testing:
Paul tested those around him:
2Co 8:8 "I am not laying a command upon you, but I am making use of the earnestness shown by others to test the genuineness of your affection."
We are told to test ourselves:
2Co 13:5 "Put yourselves to the proof, to see whether you are holding to the Faith. Test yourselves. Surely you recognise this fact about yourselves — that Jesus Christ is in you! UNLESS INDEED YOU CANNOT STAND THE TEST."
We are told to test ourselves
Gal 6:4 "Let every one test his own work.."
We are told to test everything
1Th 5:21"Bring everything to the test; cling to what is good"
1Ti 3:10 "They should be tested first.."
I think I just answered my own question.😁
But it would be good to hear other thoughts on this.
octoberose:
I wonder about this also.
In the "Lord's Prayer", Jesus says "lead us not into temptation." Why pray that if He never leads us into temptation ? It can also be interpreted that we are asking not to be led into difficult trials. I find it a bit perplexing though.
cheekie3:
Mandela and octoberose -
I understand this as follows:
1. Evil tempts us via the Law of Sin and Death which is in each and every one of us.
2. God tests us (after He has made us New in Christ Jesus) by the daily living in our lives; whereby choosing to do the right thing causes us to suffer - and once through each particular tribulation, He has cleansed us of any impurities and molded that particular aspect of our characteristics into His Image.
I hope this helps.
Kind Regards.
Humble George.
Nelson Boils:
Hi,Octoberose
It seems like that verse is a tough but to crack.I re-read "Praying by Gods rules" and it seems,to me,that Ray didn't answer it entirely.I'll quote from his paper:
"And lead us not into temptation…"
Can this statement be true? Doesn’t the Scripture declare:
"…for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man" (James 1:13)?
So why should we pray that God will "lead us NOT into temptation?" Good question.
In addition, we have this apparent contradiction regarding our Lord;
"Then was Jesus led up of THE SPIRIT into the wilderness TO BE TEMPTED of the devil" (Matt. 4:1).
Are not these Scriptures contradictory? I’ll admit it takes some careful consideration to untangle this apparent enigma. Here are the facts:
Temptation has always been associated with the work of Satan throughout the Bible. Beginning with mother Eve, then Jesus, Paul, James, Peter, and John, we have ample testimony concerning the beguiling deceitfulness of Satan.
While it is true that "…God cannot be tempted with evil, neither temps He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:13-14), we must also consider that wherever temptation is, there also is Satan:
"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise… And the woman said [to God] The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat" (Gen. 3:6 & 13).
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (II Cor. 11:3).
"Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil… All these things will I [Satan] give you [Jesus], if you will fall down and worship me" (Matt. 4:1 & 9).
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts [desires, temptations] of your father ye will do…" (John 8:44).
"Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he may devour [swallow down]" (I Pet. 5:8).
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world…" (Rev. 12:9).
Satan, not God, is the great tempter, and he has temped and deceived the whole world. But here is where God does come in. After we are tempted of Satan, God is our Redeemer:
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing [correcting] those that oppose themselves; if God peradvanture will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves [‘…but deliver us from the wicked one’ Matt. 6:13] out of the snare [Gk: ‘trap, temptation’] of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (II Tim. 2:24-26).(end quote)
So the spirit of God led Jesus to be tempted?But then again God tempts no one😕.Confusing!
octoberose:
Between George and Mandela I think I have a better grasp on this . :)
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