Going Through Temptations
God does not send temptations to man (James 1:13) and He doesn’t wish His people to go through pain. When people are tried, they should know that the temptation comes, not because God sends it, but because He allows it. The Creator created the world perfect without sin, pain and death. But man has brought this sad condition upon himself by his own disobedience. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 also Genesis 1:27, 31; 3:15–19; Ecclesiastes 7:29).
God is faithful to His promises. He will never allow temptations to come upon His children that are greater than their ability to bear. Paul wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [a]bear it“1 Corinthians 10:13). God’s Word is reliable (Psalm 34:19; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Peter 2:9).
Safety in God
The faithfulness of the Lord should be the believer’s source of safety against the devil. There is no safety in depending upon self, but if the Christian depends fully on the Word of our loving Heavenly Father, he will be secure. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). However, the believer should remember that God will not save him if he intentionally places himself on the devil’s ground by going where he is likely to meet temptation (Matthew 7:13, 14, 24, 25; 1 Corinthians 9:25, 27; 10:14; Galatians 5:24; 2 Timothy 2:22).
Growth in Trials
God uses the troubles and temptations to allow the human character to grow in grace (1 Peter 4:12, 13). There is no experience in life no matter how painful that doesn’t contribute to Christian growth. Paul, a great man of faith, shows us in his life how a Christian can turn every defeat into victory (2 Corinthians 2:14; 4:8–11; 12:7–10). And James adds that trials produce good fruits, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-3).
Victory Over Sin
God has made for every specific temptation a way of escape. This escape is not to avoid temptations, but to overcome it. Jesus, the Christian’s example of right living, found escape from temptation by using the Scriptures. He fought the devil by the words: “it is written” (Luke 4:4, 8, 12). Likewise, His followers may find escape from temptation in Christ who is the Word (John 1:1–3, 14). The Lord is ever willing to save to the uttermost all those who ask Him. “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9 also Psalms 9:9; 27:5; 41:1; 91:15; Revelation 3:10).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
