GordonSlocum

Love is a commitment. We truly show our love for the Lord when we serve him in our troubles and trials. It is not easy but it is reality.

Boanerges

Easy no but a pleasure yes:
Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
It is an awesome priviledge to walk anyplace the Master leads!

1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
If need be- God knows what we need and like a good Father He walks us down the path that brings us closer to His heart!

A brother in Christ

two different words in the greek for tempation

peiradzo... tempation to bring out bad
dokimadzo .. brings out the good

which one does God do... 1 cor 10:13

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2 tim 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be impowered by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Boanerges

God cleans out the bad and brings forth the good (as we abide in Him)-

providence is the hand of God in the glove of circumstance -JV MCGee


I believe God uses all the happenings in our life to bring us closer to His heart:

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

A brother in Christ

God always abides ... lives inside of us...

We have to choose to abide in Him

thus the problem with carnal christians

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2 tim 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be impowered by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

smellycat

evil tempts,and accuses us to God.when the accuser gets accused by us as a testament through jesus,the said accuser will be judged.

Sheba

Not trying to be a spoil's sport, but I don't agree that God puts us through "faith trials". I find no scripture to support God puts us through tests. I believe tradition has caused the misconception that God puts us through tests, trials, and temptations to teach us something or to chastise us, but that simply isn't scriptural. We are tested for sure, but I don't believe it is God who causes the trials. I believe He allows them and many times we are the cause of the trials; at other times, Satan is the cause.

I base my conclusion on James 1:13-17...

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James tells us in verse 1 to "count it all joy when we "fall" into divers (different) temptations (or temptations, trials, and tests). Further study of this episitle (James) further reveals that God is not the One testing us. However, we are to count it joy while we're in the trials, tests, and temptations; and we are to exercise patience and faith. We know that "greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). I find no scriptures saying that God "puts pressure" on us for our betterment or test our faith. He already knows where we are, so there is no need for Him to test us.

Sheba

A brother in Christ

1 cor 10:13?

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2 tim 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be impowered by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Sheba

1 Cor. 10:13...There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear.

Yes, but Paul isn't saying that God tempts us. What Paul is talking about here is everyday temptations. We all have them on a daily basis. Paul is saying that there is no temptation (test or trial) that is too hard for us to escape. God will always make a way for us to get away from the temptation. If God tempted us, why would He give us a way to escape? As you can see, God is not the author of confusion neither is He schizophrenic. That is why He gives us instruction on how to react to temptations, trials, and tests. God knows they will come as long as we are in this physical world. As long as the god of this world is here, trials will come. God has given us a way to escape. If He Himself brought the trials or tests, why give us a way to escape?


Sheba

Sheba

We have some wonderful examples of the apostles and others who faced fiery temptations, trials, and tests, with faith and patience. But never do we find that God is the One who brought the tests (or trials and temptations). I'd like to give a few examples of some of those great men and women of faith:


Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25, sang praises unto God while they were in prison. They sang songs of praise while their backs were bleeding from being whipped and they were in stocks! Now that's being "joyful" in the midst of a trial (test or temptation)! Did God cause them to be beaten and arrested? Of course not. But look what happened when they praised God instead of griping and complaining (like most Christians do when they are tempted, tried, or tested). God gave them a way of escape! HALLELUJAH!


In Daniel 3:14-28, we see Daniel and his friends thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to worship a false god. They respectfully told the king they would rather die than disobey their God. What happened? There was not even the smell of smoke on them when they exited that furnace! That was a trial (temptation or test) beyond ALL trials! But again, look what happened when they obeyed God and didn't go with the crowd. He gave them a way of escape! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!


Ruth (1:16-4:22) is another example. She chould have chosen to stay in her own land with her own people. She faced a test. Should I go with my mother-in-law or stay with my own kind. The choice Ruth made changed the course of history! She could have taken the easy way out, but she chose to go with her godly mother-in-law to a place and people she wasn't sure would accept her. Not knowing if she'd ever marry again and bare children. And look what God did for that woman! She is the great-grandmother of King David!


What can we say then? Does God test, tempt, or try us? I don't believe there is a scripture anywhere in the bible that says He does. Not even a hint. As for using Abraham offering up Isaac, we know that was for OUR benefit. God knew what Abraham would do. God was demonstrating to us the faith of His beloved servant. It was a foreshadow of the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son. Temptations, trials, and tests will come. But not at the hand of God. And I thank and praise Him that He ALWAYS makes a way to escape. HALLELUJAH!


Sheba