There are two driving forces we contend with daily.
1. 'Temptation' is the enticement to sin. It originates from ...
Satan himself: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1)
His demonic hoard: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)
Or ourselves: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:14)
2. 'Testing' is to reveal character and strengthen faith. Its origin is God ...
It has to do with obedience: Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:2-3)
Believers are to anticipate it: Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing has happened. (1 Peter 4:12)
The Lord never cajoles: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. (James 1:13)
God's indwelling Spirit opens our understanding so that we might discern the difference between the two ... He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)
But ... if we choose to navigate this fallen world in our own strength, 'temptation' is difficult to resist, and God's 'testing' is considered some kind of punishment.
Wiersbe - If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy!’ If we live only for the present and forget about the future, testing will make us bitter, not better.
David prayed ... Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. (Psalm 26:2)
Every Christian should long for that cleansing work of God. Ongoing sanctification depends on it.
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