{"id":5001,"date":"2018-12-06T23:57:16","date_gmt":"2018-12-06T23:57:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=5001"},"modified":"2023-08-29T11:23:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:23:44","slug":"temptation-no-extra-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/temptation-no-extra-credit\/","title":{"rendered":"No Extra Credit: A Look at Temptation"},"content":{"rendered":"
I don\u2019t remember the exact details that prompted my friend to say it, but I do recall being a young believer at the time, struggling with something that wasn\u2019t going my way. I carelessly blamed my difficulty on the schemes of the devil, which led to my friend\u2019s gentle correction: \u201cDon\u2019t give the devil so much credit.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is so easy, even tempting, to assume every trial, struggle, and difficulty we face is rooted in the Enemy\u2019s schemes. He\u2019s delighted, of course, for this focuses our attention on our problems and away from God, providing fertile ground for the Enemy to plant doubt in our minds as to God\u2019s goodness, power, and love.<\/p>\n
My friend\u2019s statement is a good one. What if we are<\/em> giving the devil too much credit? Is every difficulty we face really from him?<\/p>\n I did some research and discovered that in the New Testament, the Greek word translated \u201ctemptation\u201d (peirasmos<\/em><\/a>) is the same word translated as \u201ctesting.\u201d* Even more curious, the word is derived from the Greek word peira<\/em><\/a>, which means \u201can experiment.\u201d Isn\u2019t that comforting? The word itself is neutral; the translation depends on context. If Satan is attempting to entice a person to sin, it\u2019s translated \u201ctemptation.\u201d<\/p>\n However, if God is orchestrating events in order to strengthen a person\u2019s faith, build character, or serve some other godly purpose He ordains, then peirasmos <\/em>is translated \u201ctesting.\u201d At times, we may even think of it as two sides of the same coin. Whenever God desires to strengthen us, Satan is right there trying to tear us down. When the Enemy comes after us to steal, kill, and destroy, God is right there, taking what was meant for evil and using it for good (Genesis 50:20).<\/p>\n Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test<\/em> you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ\u2019s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.\u202f.\u202f.\u202f. Therefore let those who suffer according to God\u2019s will<\/em> entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good (1 Peter 4:12, 13, 19, emphasis mine).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n No one wants to suffer, but Scripture clearly teaches that at times God allows, even wills, suffering for good purposes. Nevertheless, just as we need to be careful not to give undue credit to the Enemy, we must never ascribe any kind of evil to God, no matter the outcome. God is holy. He never wills or orchestrates sin or tempts anyone with evil (James 1:13). If we suffer as a consequence of evil desires (whether ours or someone else\u2019s), we can be certain it is of the devil.<\/p>\n [bctt tweet=”Just as we need to be careful not to give undue credit to the Enemy, we must never ascribe any kind of evil to God, no matter the outcome. – Shadia Hrichi”]<\/p>\n On the other hand, if suffering is intended for our good, then it\u2019s from God (Hebrews 12:6, 10). Other types of suffering are simply the tragic, but natural, consequence of living in a sin-cursed world. However, all too often we ascribe any<\/em> kind of challenge as Satan\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n In one sense, this is true in that, had God prevented Satan from deceiving Adam and Eve in the garden, sin and suffering would never have entered the world. Alas, sin and suffering have entered. Yet perhaps the more difficult question to grasp is why God, who is good, all wise, and all knowing, allowed it to happen.<\/p>\n While we may not understand why God does everything He does, He has, in His grace, revealed to us who He is: loving, holy, patient, all-knowing, good, and so much more. We must cling to these truths whenever we undergo trials and are tempted to doubt God\u2019s wisdom, goodness, or love. It should be no surprise that whenever God orchestrates events to strengthen our character, build our faith, or draw us closer to Him, the Enemy will be lurking in the shadows, looking for an opportunity to entice us away from God.<\/p>\n May we, like the apostle Paul, resolve to trust in God\u2019s revelation of Himself and, if we must suffer, to trust He will empower us to even rejoice in our ordeal: \u201cwe rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope . . .\u201d (Romans 5:3, 4).<\/p>\nTemptation vs. testing<\/h2>\n
Understanding suffering<\/h2>\n