Dear Friends,
Temptations are a challenge to anyone who wants to be disciplined, and particularly if you want to be a disciple of Christ. James, writing to the dispersed church, encourages us to endure temptations. But most importantly, not to say that we are tempted by God (James 1:12-15). Satan is the one who tempts us. But before we give any credit to him for our temptations, let us also examine if they are our own carnal desires.
God does not tempt but He tests us. So how do we understand Tests and Temptations? Perhaps, the table below will help bring clarity in our understanding.
| Tests | Temptations |
|---|---|
| God tests our faith in Him as He did Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son. | Satan tempts to break our faith in God as he did Jesus in the wilderness. |
| God tests to usher us to higher purposes as He did Jospeh and the three friends of Daniel from the fiery furnace. The two servants passed the test of faithfulness and were promoted. | Satan deceives us to depend on our own strength and schemes like he did king Saul. |
| God tests us to make us pure. Zachaeus the tax collector got rid of his ill-gotten gain and Jesus ushered him into the kingdom of heaven. | Satan tempts us to corrupt us as he did Annanias and Sapphira, and Gehazi. |
| God's tests of faith declare the power of God - Daniel prayed inspite of the law and God protected him from the lions. | Satan's temptations bring us to ridicule. Samson's life is a vivid illustration. |
For a growing disciple, tests of faith are inevitable. Let us persevere to grow to be mature disciples. Pray that God will give us the wisdom to discern a test from a temptation. Crucify fleshly desires, resist the temptations of Satan and take the test of faith that God allows.
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Samson Gandhi
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