Testing testing...
During a recent disciple class we were discussing Abraham and Isaac and the test of sacrifice.
I started thinking about being tested and what that means. During the class we were discussing testing and temptation and we made the distinction between testing and temptation.
A test is something that is passed or failed on our own merit. Something we, through the urging of the Holy Spirit, can achieve. This is a righteous test that teaches us about ourselves and about the nature of God. Not a test so God can find out new information about us.
Temptation on the other had is an urging of the enemy. Satan sits at the gate and waits for a more opportune time. Yea I said Satan. Not the red dude with horns but the dude who with his fallen angels tempts me away from God and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Well maybe he is red and has horns but that is not the point.
Don’t feel like you are immune to tempting either… remember even Jesus was tempted. Satan has some pretty tough stuff to tempt God himself.
I thought it was interesting that during this study we found much more tempting going on in our lives than testing.
So whether you are being tested or tempted take strength from this: (James 1:2-18)
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Shalom
I started thinking about being tested and what that means. During the class we were discussing testing and temptation and we made the distinction between testing and temptation.
A test is something that is passed or failed on our own merit. Something we, through the urging of the Holy Spirit, can achieve. This is a righteous test that teaches us about ourselves and about the nature of God. Not a test so God can find out new information about us.
Temptation on the other had is an urging of the enemy. Satan sits at the gate and waits for a more opportune time. Yea I said Satan. Not the red dude with horns but the dude who with his fallen angels tempts me away from God and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Well maybe he is red and has horns but that is not the point.
Don’t feel like you are immune to tempting either… remember even Jesus was tempted. Satan has some pretty tough stuff to tempt God himself.
I thought it was interesting that during this study we found much more tempting going on in our lives than testing.
So whether you are being tested or tempted take strength from this: (James 1:2-18)
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Shalom
posted by Steven Mitchell @ 9:23 PM
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