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Temptations, Trials, Tests et al! Part 1

James1:13-15 tells us that God is not tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone, rather each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. A lot have fallen into the traps of the enemy based on the desires they have inside. The whole essence of temptation is to dangle the desired object before the person and make the person do things that he would not have rationally done. God does not tempt any man, He tells you as it is and will not force you in any form to take or make decisions in His favor. Temptation is the forte of the enemy, the devil. It has being a weapon he had used from the beginning with Adam and the woman; he used it with Christ and he is still using it. 

The Lord's prayer that reads in part "do not lead us into temptation" denotes that a man that willfully goes against God is in danger of falling into temptation. No wonder in Romans 1:24, the Lord declared that He gave up such men to the desires of their heart. When God gives up a man he becomes a willing tool for the enemy's terrible antics. For as many that desire to stand in Him, He promises us in 1Corinthians 10:13 that He would always provide a way of escape so that we can remain standing in the face of temptation as Christ did.

One might argue that Jesus Christ was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, why was that? It was allowed so as to defeat the stranglehold of the devil over people using this terrible weapon. It was to prove to people and the devil himself that God had an antidote to the devil's most formidable weapon - His WORD! That was the weapon Jesus Christ used in defeating and deflating the temptations of the devil.

However, the Lord arranges tests and trials to expose the heart of His children (Deuteronomy 8:1-4). They are not designed to destroy or rob the man of his dignity but designed to expose, remake or remould the man. The Bible says concerning Jesus Christ in Hebrews 5:8, that though a Son, He learned obedience through the things He suffered. Thus, tests are used by the Lord to remove the dross from our faith whilst trials are used to discipline us and make us stronger in Him.

Unfortunately, so many Believers break under the tests and trials. So many turn from the faith completely. In the case of Apostle Paul in 2Corinthians 12:7, God used the trial of the thorn in his flesh to perfect His strength in Apostle Paul. Such that Paul will know that the great things the Lord was doing through him was from God not himself. It helped him to remain, humble, level headed and fit for the Master's use to the end of his life.  

Dear friend, we have strong confidence in God that He is able to save us from every temptation the enemy can ever muster and throw our way because God had said He would not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. It then follows, we have no excuse to succumb to any temptation like Demas did in 2Timothy 4:10. Equally, no matter the trials and tests, we are able to overcome, why? Because He says in Hebrews 2:18 - "For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested."
God Bless you!


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