(Part 3)
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
James 1:13-15
There is a difference between trials and temptations. Trials are something to be endured which strengthen our faith and lead to a crown of life. Temptations are to be resisted. They are designed to incite evil desires and entice us into sin and will ultimately lead us into death!
James is quick to point out that God is not the source of temptation. Because of God’s righteous nature, He cannot be tempted nor can He ever be the source of temptation. We should not be deceived into believing that God ever places temptations in our paths in an effort to test us or grow us spiritually. Unlike trials, where we are encouraged to “count it all joy” and persevere, here we are instructed to resist temptation. In fact, Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 26:41:
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
It is clear that God is certainly not the source of temptation; however in His love and faithfulness He has made provisions for us to face it:
“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
According to this passage, there is never a time when we are tempted that there is not a way out! Meaning that God’s provision and demonstration of His grace is given prior to the sinful act. Many people get frustrated when, after ignoring the “way out”, they fall into sin, and God does not deliver them from the consequences.
So let’s clarify the differences between trials, temptations and consequences of our sin:
A trial is a difficulty that comes because of a righteous stand we take, or a situation that comes upon us because of no fault of our own (loss of a loved one, the company downsizes and we lose our job, we suffer injury when hit by a drunk driver.)
A temptation is that which we are subjected to with the intention of enticing us and leading us into sin. We are drawn away by our own evil desires. If we fall into temptation, it is by our own willful decision.
Consequences of our sin! This type of suffering is “self-inflicted”! It is a difficulty that we have created ourselves because of our poor decision-making. It too must be endured, but there is no promise to deliver us from our determination to ignore truth and not resist temptation.
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/
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