The Holy Spirit (32)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on June 4, 2013
Topic: The Essence of the Holy Spirit In Our Lives (5.2): Temptation or Testing (1)
(use the audio to study)
Background
Last week, we saw that suffering for Christ or for the sake of the gospel, is an integral part of the growth process of the believer in Christ which brings him to the place of fruitfulness for God, as it is the will of God for every believer in Christ. We saw that such sufferings are either orchestrated directly by God, or endorsed by Him to prove the genuineness of the faith of the believer. We saw that these sufferings, so called, because they are anathema to the flesh, are really tests, and can come in the form of trials, tribulations, problems, persecution, challenges, and adversity. And as we overcome these trials, tribulations, problems, persecutions, challenges, and adversity, or simply put, pass these tests, we are strengthened and able to release the fruit of the Spirit, which delights God.
We noted that these sufferings or tests are not meant to trip us up, devastate us, or make us fall into the temptation of the devil; rather, they are there to enable us acquire endurance or perseverance, build us up in faith toward God, and develop Christian character, based on a living hope––the fruit of the Spirit. Thus, we noted that our suffering for Christ is very good for us, because it builds our capacity to endure hardship through obedience to God; it makes us release the fruit of the Spirit, which delights God; and, it prepares us for eternity with Christ, where we shall reign in glory with Him.
We noted that if we don't suffer for Christ, the fruit of the Spirit cannot be released by us, and we will not reign with Christ in eternity. Our suffering for Christ, which is unpleasant to the flesh, edifies our spirits, and causes the release of the fruit of the Spirit, which is the true nature of Christ. Everyone who is a true believer in Christ is expected to live like Christ Who, when He was reviled by men, reviled not; and, when He was told by His Father to go and die on the cross for sinners, He did not refuse, but prevailed in prayer and patiently persevered, enduring the shame, and delighted His Father, Who gave Him a name above every other name. For the believer in Christ, nothing less is required! Like our Lord, we must also endure the contradictions of life, and, thus release the fruit of the Spirit, under the pressure of such sufferings.
The fruit of our obedience to God and His word regardless of extraneous conditions or situations, guarantees our eternity with God, and this is our holiness unto God, without which no one shall see God! Hence, the Holy Spirit has been given to every believer in Christ; and His work is effectual in us as we persist and prevail in prayers, and as we persevere in patience, thus enabling us to be fruitful, to the delight of God, our heavenly Father, in every situation.
Scripture Text(s)
James 1:12-16
Tonight, we shall be taking a deeper look at the word ‘temptation’, which is used in the King James Version of the bible to denote temptation by the devil, and, testing by God. We trust that as we begin this study tonight, the Holy Spirit will make all things plain to us, in Jesus' name, Amen.
For the ardent readers of the King James Version of the bible, it will be observed that the word ‘tempt’ or ‘temptation’ is liberally used, such that it can be difficult to tell the difference between when this word should read ‘test’ and when it actually means to be tempted. We shall define our terms: ‘temptation’ is the lure, seduction, and deception of the devil, or the devil’s appeal to the flesh, with the intention of making a believer in Christ to sin, fall from the grace of God, and end up in hell; and, ‘testing’ is the proving by God of a believer in Christ’s faith (reliance, dependence, trust) in God, and his faithfulness (loyalty, devotion, dedication) to God.
Genesis 22:1-12; Daniel 3:1ff; Job 1:1-22; 2:1-10; Deuteronomy 8:2-3; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:10-18; James 5:7-12; 2 Timothy 2:1, 3-4; Luke 18:1; Hebrews 12:1-8; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Isaiah 43:1-5; 63:9.
Conclusion
Although temptation and testing are different in that the former is of the devil, while the latter is of God; yet the result of either, can reveal the failure of the believer in Christ to adhere to God’s word, or his resolve to hold fast on to God no matter what.
Concerning temptation and testing, it is important that we note the following:
1. God cannot tempt the believer in Christ to do evil; but He can, and does test us to see whether or not we will obey Him. God’s test is really to prove if we are truly dependent on Him and totally devoted to Him in all that we do. Hence, God can, and does orchestrate tough and rough times, and then watch to see whether or not we would follow Him and do His word. If we hold on to His word, and endure, He comes into that situation and stays with us in, and through the difficulty so that we are able to endure it. If not, then we make ourselves open to the devil, who will then come and bring condemnation upon us.
2. The devil is the tempter, and it is he who tempts believers to do evil. His goal in tempting believers is to make them sin against God, so that they can be condemned and confined to hell with him (the devil) and his demons.
3. As much as God will never tempt believers in Christ to do evil, He nonetheless takes advantage of the devil’s role of tempter, and allows him to tempt us so that He can prove to the devil that His children (believers in Christ) will not yield to the devil’s temptation, and as a result, reveal God’s glory in them, to the shame of the devil, but to the delight of God. So, we can imagine how shameful it is, when we fall into the temptation of the devil!
4. God has, however, put resources at the disposal of the believer in Christ, so that he is able to overcome the devil and defeat his every wile. These resources include depending on truth (the word of God), no matter what; ensuring that your right-standing in God is not compromised; being prepared to preach the gospel in and out of season; holding on to your faith in God, which has great recompense; ensuring that your salvation is not rubbished; holding fast to, and declaring the word of God to counter every word spoken by the devil; and using the weapon of prayer with which to repel every satanic attack.
5. Know that God is nearer to you than you can imagine, in temptation and testing, suffering with you, sharing your pain, and comforting and strengthening you.
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