Comparing Temptations and Trials

-Tunde Mabinuori

Temptation                                                                                             Trial

. The purpose is to destroy                                                                  The purpose is to promote

. It works through enticement                                                             It works through tests

. The outcome is to fall, fail and sin.                                                   To refine, refresh and prune.

Can God Tempt?

God cannot tempt us. This is because it is against his nature to trick, tempt or give us opportunities to sin. James 1: 13 says: “When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone”.

How do I get tempted?

The book of James further says: after declaring that God would never tempt us, “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

(15)Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown gives birth to death” (James 1: 14-15). James made it very clear that our own desires, when focused on, and allowed to grow inside us, gives birth to sin. Temptation starts in the heart before it is evident in our lives. Although temptation itself is not a sin, it is dangerous to trifle with it.

Samson decided to marry a woman who was a Philistine. He says in Judges 4:3, “she pleases me well.” Literally that is “she is right in my eyes.” Would you say that Samson was overwhelmed by temptation to marry someone outside of his faith? He trifled with temptation early in his life. He was overwhelmed by it later in his life.

This is why it is so important to focus on the things of God. Then these things will be evident in our lives instead of the desires of the flesh. Paul made this point in Romans 8. “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace”  Romans 8:5-6.

Do you want to experience life and peace? Walk, dwell and live by the spirit of God.

Can I escape temptations?

Yes, you can because when temptation comes, God always provides the way of escape. “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” (I Corinthians 10:13). This is an amazing truth, no matter how we are tempted, it all falls under the normal human experience. This is not to say that God gives his stamp of approval on every temptation that passes before us, allowing them to happen but when they do, God does not allow trials or situations to be beyond human resistance. There is no temptation that can be more than you and I can bear.

God is faithful to His word and compassionate in nature, so He can be trusted not to allow any temptation to exceed our ability to stand against it. If that were not enough, He will always provide a way of escape for us so that we can be removed from temptation, even in the midst of it.

Temptations often appear irresistible because through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot readily remember God’s promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed.   

Pastor Tunde Mabinuori is the Minister-in-Charge, Rhema Chapel International Churches, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan.

e-mail: tundemabinuori@gmail.com