Trials and Temptation

     Jesus taught the disciples to seek the Father’s direction in their lives so that they would not be led into unnecessary trials, tests and hardships.  “Lead us not into temptation” is a poor translation.  God does not lead us into temptation.  Satan is the tempter as recorded in Matthew 4:3.

     “Now when the tempter [Satan] came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’”

     This phrase Lead us not into temptation would be better translated as “Bring us not into trials,” or as The New Testament in Basic English has it, “And let us not be put to the test.”   This is a humble request that recognizes that God controls all things and can prevent undue hardship from overwhelming us.  He knows how weak we are, “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”   (Psalms 103:14)

     God is our comforter who stands by us.  He is working with those He has called and will not allow time and chance to upset the work He has begun.  The Father is our greatest supporter.  It may be that the disciples had an unhealthy fear of God – as the world does – not understanding His tender mercies.  Paul develops this thought nicely:

     “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation [trials], that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

     Notice that we learn from the trials we endure – so that we can learn to comfort others in their time of trials.  Because the world does not understand the Plan of God, it thinks of the God of the Old Testament as being harsh – even cruel – bringing trials unjustly on men.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  James cleared up this misconception – God does not cause trials.

     “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God,’… nor does He [God] Himself tempt anyone.” (James 1:13)

     In fact, it is God who promises to limit the temptations and trials that come upon us so that they will not be more than we can take. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

      “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 bear it.”

     Peter expresses the same concept this way:  “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…”  (2 Peter 2:9)

     Peter goes on to say that God does not seek our destruction.  2 Peter 3:9 shows it is just the opposite –He insures our survival.

      “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

     God is a loving Father who protects His Children.  We can be sure that no sudden destruction will come upon us.  He has promised us He will complete the work He has begun in us.

     “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  (Philippians 1:6)

     He is also faithful to correct us in order to bring us back into line when we let down.  This is a necessary part of our maturing process as Christians.  If we are His children, we ask God to direct our lives by His Spirit so that we will not need correction – because as a loving Father He will correct us when we go astray.  In Hebrews 12:6-11, the purpose of chastening is clearly shown to be for our profit.

      “For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.   If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? … He [chastens us] for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.   Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

     This is the lesson the disciples needed to understand about the Father’s dealings with them.  Knowing that our heavenly Father always has our best interest in mind gives us the confidence that our trials are for our own good.  James, the half brother of Jesus, would express it this way in James 1:2-3.

     “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

     It takes a good deal of faith to trust that God is always overseeing our lives.  Paul would exclaim that all things work for the good, according to God’s purpose, for those being called. (Romans 8:28)  Peter tells us not to be surprised that God is personally involved in our Christian development.

     “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13)

     When we look closer into the subject of “Lead us not into temptation,” we see that Jesus was enlightening His disciples in the intimate way He and the Father are involved in our everyday lives in bringing us to perfection.

Chapter 11 - Satan