What Does the Bible Say about Trials and Temptation? By Steve Clay, Director of Metroplex Counseling
All of us experience trials and temptation. All of us have known times of challenge, difficulty, and pressure where our faith was tested. What does the Bible say about these times? Why do they happen and what is God's purpose for us in them? There are a vast number of texts in the Bible that address these questions. For sake of brevity, the focus here will be from the book of James. James 1:2 tells us that there is reason that we can consider trials with joy. Why joy? Trials hurt, or mislead, or bring misery. What about them could be considered joy? Our trials produce something in us worthy of our consideration-they produce endurance. And why would this thought bring about joy. Ah, for that I need wisdom, for I will never see it without wisdom from above, which God promises to give to those who seek it in faith (James 1:5-7, 17-18; 3:17). I need the wisdom of God that stands firm when in the middle of difficult and painful circumstances. This wisdom gives me perspective vastly different from that which is natural to me. My normal response to trials is to think of them as something to avoid, lash out at, or to escape from. Often our response is seen in interpersonal conflict, where we use our tongues to get our way or to tear someone apart (James 3:5-10; 4:1-3). At other times it is simply an outburst of anger (James 1:19, 20), or anxious favoritism towards those we believe can make life easier for us (James 2:1-4). Perhaps we find our comfort in our materials possessions, believing they can weather the storm for us (James 4:13-16; 5:15). All these are our natural responses to trials and testing-to fight, to get angry, to become anxious, or to find a way of escape. The Bible gives rich metaphors to describe the real issue concerning the source of our responses (e.g., Jeremiah 17:5-10). Our responses to trials come out of our hearts, where our beliefs, desires, loves, motives, loyalties reside. Trials put pressure on us. They get in the way of what we want and reveal in what we put our treasure and trust. They reveal what is in our hearts as we respond in accordance to what we value and want. That is the purpose of trials-to provide an occasion for exposure of who will really are and what we are truly living for. Trials, then, are intended to make us wise, to provide a means for seeing what is real about us and God in our situation. The wise person is he who finds joy in trials, because he has learned who God is, what His purposes are, and submitted himself to the reality of God's loving sovereignty in hard times. He sees that his greatest problem is not the trials per se, but rather what they reveal about himself-the remaining idolatry of self in his own heart. We must face the fact that we truly do want to be God ... at least over our own lives. We want our way, we want revenge when wronged, we want to feel comfortable on our terms-we want to be lord over our lives. God knows this is our destruction and mercifully brings trials to expose us and give opportunity to humbly turn to Him for help (James 4:6-7).
An important fact to consider and remember is that our sinful responses are revealed in our trials, not caused by them. It is our natural inclination to believe that either (1) my sinful response was "caused" by
my situation, or (2) my response makes plausible sense given a right understanding of my situation (for example, lashing out in anger toward the person who is not treating me the way I expect). James is clear in indicating the location or origin of our sin. It arises out of a lusting heart (James 1 :14-15). Temptation results in the midst of trials as the짜--sgueeze out of me what is alreSay m my heart. Difficult circumstances provide occasions for the condition of my heart to be exposed, but they do not'cause my responses. James continues on to say that sinful responses ultimately bring forth deatli:"TF1e wise person is never deceived into believing something otherwise (v. 16), but rather sees that God provides these occasions as good gifts that we might bear good fruit (w. 17-18). God does not tempt us (v.13), for temptation originates in our own hearts in concert with our desires, loves, and loyalties. But the Lord does gift us with challenging circumstances for the expressed purpose of testing our hearts (i.e., exposing them}. The wise person who has joy in trials is one who is "quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (v. 19). He is not deceived by a worthless religion that does not "bridle [the] tongue" (v.26). Rather, in his wisdom he is gentle toward others (3:13, 17), always producing righteous fruit by sowing seeds of peace (3:18). Contrarily, the one lacking wisdom (the fool) is exposed in trials as full of "bitter jealousy" (3:14), "envy'' (4:2), and "selfish ambition" {3:16). The fruit of his life is anything but joy, but rather is "disorder and every evil thing'' (3:16). He fights with others for what he wants (4:1-2), critically judges others (4:11-12), and complains about other people (5:9). He not concerned about those in need to the point of giving toward that need (2:15-16). There is no joy in these things. Trials are given to us by God to refine us by exposing our hearts, prompting us to humble repentance in recognition of God who is the source of hope and joy. They give us a window into what we are living for and what we are pursuing. What are your trials? What types of things typically tempt you to respond in sinful ways? Are you tested when your image is endangered, that offer you made on the bigger house gets turned down, your secretary messes up a very important assignment, your water heater bursts and your house is flooded, your schedule is threatened by a traffic jam, your co-worker gets the bonus you believe you deserve, your kids are disrespectful to you, or your spouse doesn't display the affection you desire? Where do you get hooked? And how are you responding in these situations? What are you doing, feeling, and thinking? What does this reveal about what you value most? What does God say about all this? Who is He? What does He call you to do? God is gracious. Turn to Him in your trials. Realize that all of life is a moral drama. See where you are carried away by your own strong desires. Be conscious that all of life is lived before God and should be lived for Him. Understand that joy only comes when life is lived in accordance with His design. Pursue wisdom the embraces these truths. Let trials have their intended outcome in your life-to expose your heart in order that you can turn away from that which rules you other than Christ. Turn to Christ in your moments of trials, trusting in His grace to make you into a sweet fruit tree of blessing to others.
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God Is Jehovah. The name of independent being-"I AM WHO I AM"' nly belongs to Jehovah God. As we consider His greatness, we fall down in fear and awe of this One who possesses all authority. E±dus 3:13-15 God is Jehovah-M'Kaddesh. This name means "the God who sanctifie j ."A God separate from all that is evil requires that the people who follow Him be cleansed from all evil. Leviticus 20:7,8
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God is infinite. We cannot speak of measure, amount, size, or weight al d at the same time be speaking of God, for He is beyond . measurement. God has no beginning, no end, and no limits. Romans 11 r33 God is omnipotent. God has power. Since God is also infinite, whatever He has must be without limit; therefore, God has limitless power. Jeremiah 32 :17,18, 26 ,27 God is good. The goodness of God is what disposes Him to be kind, be evolent, and full of good will toward all creation. Psalm 119:65-72 God is love. God's love is so great that He gave His only Son to bring u· into fellowship with Him. God's love not only encompasses the world, but embraces each of us personally and intimately. 1 John 4:7~ 1 .0 God is Jehovah-jireh. This name means "the God who provides." Just Js He provided yesterday, He will provide tomorrow. He grants deliverance from sin, the oil of joy for the ashes of sorrow, and eternal citizenship in His Kingdom. When you pray to him he sees the situation before hand and is able to provide for your needs. Genesis 22:9i-14, 13-14; Deuteronomy 15:4-5; God is Jehovah-shalom. This name means "the God of peace." God cd.t f.d never give to others a peace that exceeds understanding if He Himself were not perfect, unfailing peace. Judges 6:16-24 God is immutable. All that God is, He has always been. All that He has · een and is, He will ever be. He cannot change because He is perfect and will rema in perfect. Psalm 102:25-28
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God is transcendent. We must not think of God as highest in an order ot beings. This would be to grant Him eminence, even preeminence, but this is not enough. He is transcendent-existing beyond t1e•created universe. Psalm 113:4,5 God is just. God rules with absolute justice. Not fooled by appearances, !God is fair, equitable, and impartial in all of His judgments. Psalm 75:1-7 God is holy. God's holiness is not simply the best we know made infinite y better. God is absolutely untainted. His holiness stands apart-unique and incomprehensible. Revelation 4:8-11 God is Jehovah-rophe. This name means "Jehovah heals." God alone hlas the remedy for the healing of mankind. The Gospel is concerned with the physical , moral , and spiritual healing of all people. He Jis the source of all healing. Jesus is the great physician, healer of body and soul as the new testament reveals and points to the kipgdom of God. Exodus 15:22-26; John 9:1-7; 2 Kings 20:5; James5:14-15 1 1
God is self-sufficient. He is the One who contains all, who gives all that1is given, but who Himself can receive nothing that He has not first given. Acts 17:24-28 1
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God is omniscient. God knows all that can be known. His knowledge includes every possible thing that exists, has ever existed , or will ever exist. Psalm 139:1-6
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God is omnipresent. God is everywhere-close to everything, next to Psalm 139:7-12
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"' Do not I fill heaven and earth?' declares the Lord ."
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God is merciful. God's compassion is infinite and inexhaustible. In the mi rcy of His provision in Christ, He took upon Himself the judgment that was due us. He waits and works now for all people everyw~ere to turn to Him, not wanting any to be lost. Deuteronomy 4:29-31
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God is sovereign. God is in control of our lives. His sovereignty is the att1·ibute by which He rules His entire creation. To be sovereign, God must be all-knowing and all-powerful. 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 God is Jehovah-nissi. This name means "God our banner." We may go rom triumph to triumph and say, "Thanks be to God , who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" He is more powerful arid can overcome any foe. 1 Corinthians 15:57; Exodus 17:8I 16; Isaiah 49:22-25; Isaiah 11 :10-12 God is wise. All God 's acts are done in infinite wisdom. He always acts His glory are inextricably bound together. Proverbs 3: 19,20
fo~ our good, which is to conform us to Christ. Our good and I
God is faithful. Our hope for the future rests upon God's faithfulness . BeJause He is faithful, His covenants will stand and His promises will be honored. Psalm 89:1-8 \ God is wrathful. God's wrath is never capricious, self-indulgent, or irritabl~ , as human anger often is. Instead, it is a right and i
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God is lsh. God is your husband. lsh is the Hebrew word for husband j the ideal husband in that he provides and protects his people, refusing to divorce us despite our imperfections. Hosea 2: 16, ~ r-~O; Exodus 20:4-5; Hosea 3:1 ; Romans 8:39; Isaiah 62 :4-5 God is El Chay. He is the Living God. The Living God is the maker of r lfcivens and earth . HE alone is the source of our life. We live because he lives. He was not made by human hands. Jesus also is aliye. [He rose again after his death on the cross. The grave could not hold him. We worship a risen, active, and living God. 2 Kings 19:1 ~.-16.路 ; Jeremiah 10:14; Deuteronomy 5:26; Joshua 3:9-1 O; John 7:37-39. ' I
God is Maon , Machseh , Magen, Metsuda, Migdal-Oz. God is our D~e liflg Place, Refuge, Shield , Fortress, Strong Tower. God will watch over you and keep you safe . Psalm 91 :1-2; Psalm 9:9-10 ; Psalni 3:2-3 ; Psalm 5:12; Proverbs 14:32 . i God is Shopet. God is judge. Justice is rooted in God's nature. As judg 0f the whole earth , he is the only one competent to measure the motivations of our hearts. His righteousness demands perfect justi9e a'nd he has provided a way for us to be acquitted of our guilt through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son . The New Testamen,t epicts Jesus as the judge of the living and the dead. Psalm 94 :15; Matthew &:1-2; Romans 2:1 -4 ; Isaiah 30 :18; John 5:24, 26-27. I I God is Miqweh Yisrael. He is the Hope of Israel. Biblical hope finds itJ. Eb路 ts in God's goodness, mercy, and power. We exercise our hope when we endure patiently. We nurture our hope when we read Hi ~ ord . Our greatest hope is aimed at the life to come. He saves all those whose trust is in Him. Jeremiah 17:7-8, 13; Hebrews 6:19; Ps~~ 146:2-3, Psalm 130:7; Psalm 16:9-11 ; Acts 2:26-28 I
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God is Yahweh Tsidqenu. The Lord our Righteousness. Righteousnes . involves being in a right relationship or right standing with God , conforming to his character and fulfilling our responsibilities towarcl i~ m and others. But righteousness is impossible to achieve. It is only a gift through faith in His Son. Jesus intervened on our behalf to r~store us to his likeness and to fellowship with him. Jeremiah 23 :6; Romans 3:1 O; Matthew 5:6; Proverbs 10:25; Proverbs 10:6-7, 11; n roverbs 10:24; Proverbs 13:21 God is El Elyon. God most high. He is the exalted one. In the New Tes~9n)ent Jesus is referred to as the Son of the Most High, while the Holy Spirit is the power of the Most High . He can not be matched. D ~f i~I 4:34; Psalm 97:9; Hebrews 1:3-4; Psalm 91 :1-4, 9-10 .
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God is Yahweh Shammah . The Lord is There. This is so closely with God's presence and power. Jesus is described as E_mn:anuel ~r God. with us. We were created to enjoy and manifest God !slp:resence . Ezekiel 48:35; Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 139:12; Matthew 1.23, Ephesians 2.19-22 : , God is Abba, Ab , Pater. God is Father. Jesus reveals his relationship l i{h! God by calling him Father. He also invites us to call God, Fat~er.,This is why we can boldly pray the Lord's prayer - Our Father .. 路 路II.Juke 15:20 ; John 10:27-30; Matthew 6:9-11 ; Psalm 68:5-6; 2 Connth1ans 6:18. !
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