Tests, Trials and Temptations are used close together in various parts of the scripture. Tests have the benevolent purpose of proving or improving the quality of something or someone. Schools test the quality of knowledge of the students. Metals like gold are tested for purity by subjecting through fire. Tests of faith are situations that examine and confirm the faith. "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac." Hebrews 11:17-18. "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." (2 Corinthians 13:5). Temptations on the other hand have the malicious objective to prove weaknesses or trapping into wrong action through hardship or pain. "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man." (James 1:13). God does not have malicious objective in His nature and hence He will not and cannot tempt anyone. But within the confines of every temptation there will be a test. Trials are the struggles people go through while facing tests and/or temptations. Such experiences strengthen their patience, mature their Christian character and lead them into an enhanced assurance of God’s love for them. "The trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire." (1 Peter 1:6-8). Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. The wilderness is not a pleasant experience with unpredictable and harsh conditions that offer nothing but the possibility of death. As the word itself says, it is 'wild'. The wilderness experience was the trial. To be in the wilderness is to be alone totally relying on God for survival. Through these experiences or trials in life, we can understand our own nature and God’s Power and acknowledge that God is God and we are not.
Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil in the Garden of Eden. Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert. In both cases satan appealed to bodily needs and earthly desires. It was not because Eve or Adam was hungry that they chose to eat of the tree. They had access to all the other trees and fruits they could eat. Their appetite for the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was much more than hunger or thirst. God had told Adam and Eve that if they ate of the forbidden tree, they would die. But the devil told Eve, “You will not certainly die for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4). They listened to the devil over God and chose the pursuit of knowledge to become like God and sin and death entered in creation. Jesus, the last Adam, refused to yield even though He was hungry and won victory over sin and death. "As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. The first Adam became a living being while the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (1 Corinthians 15:45)
In the scripture, there are two places where we see the devil talking directly to man. Both are places of temptations. One is the garden of Eden where Adam and Eve were tempted an the other is the wilderness where Jesus was tempted. Temptations are primarily targeted on the human desire to satisfy the physical senses. "For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are not from God." (1 John 2:16). In Genesis 3 we read: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (Lust of the flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (Lust of the eyes), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (Pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof, ate and gave to her husband who also ate.” Jesus was tempted similarly by the devil by asking him to turn the stones into bread to satisfy his hunger (lust of the flesh). Then the devil showed him the all the kingdoms of the world (lust of the eye) and tempted him to worship him so that he can possess it, and finally the devil asks Jesus to jump from the top of the temple to prove himself as the son of God (pride of life). Jesus was asked to stop what he had been doing - his fasting, and turn stones into bread thus to break His fasting. Jesus, the last Adam won where the first Adam had failed. "In all things Jesus had to be made like His brothers, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2:17-18).
The devil quoted the scriptures to tempt while Jesus used the scriptures to resist the temptations. Jesus depended on the Word of God more than that bread of this earth. We are given the scriptures to be nourished and strengthened during times of temptations. A writer writes: “The Bible is lost in many homes and churches. And sad to say, in many homes of people who claim to be “the people of the book” it is nothing but a dust collector. It is not read, referred to, or even revered! To many people, Hebrews is only a language and Deuteronomy is an Italian dish. If you ask them to turn to a certain book in the Bible they dont know how to. Some could find the item in a shopping catalog faster than they could find the book of James.”
The testing of our faith may not come through severe oppression or heavy burdens. It’s more likely to occur in a store checkout line, on the expressway, or in a parking lot. I read about a church that had their parking lot zones renamed from numbers to names like “Love”, “Patience”, “Joy”, “faithfulness”. On a certain Sunday, patience wore thin and tempers flared when there was a traffic jam. It’s amazing how quickly love, patience and forgiveness go out the window, and can disappear in a parking lot! These signs were placed hoping that it would help people to remember we are children of God.
It is important more than ever to teach our children the importance of reading the scripture daily. Some music videos have the mere focus on sensual or violent actions on the screen more than the music or the song itself. The half time entertainment program in Superbowl creates an uproar every year. Reportedly, it is the most watched part of the game. That part of the game has nothing to do with sports, but just a visual and sensual display. It is very tempting for children and youth to use drugs, alcohol and other addictive substances. When faced with tests, temptations or trials, the Word of God is our source of strength. "Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:16).
Blessings
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