Trials, Temptations, and Testings
For many years, I heard preachers talk about trials, temptations, and tests, and but I was confused about the difference between them. I wondered, “Just exactly what is a trial? What is the distinction between a trial and a temptation? What is a test?” To ask the same questions another way, “When is something a trial? When is something a temptation? When is
something a test?”
To complicate matters, the Greek word rendered “trial” means “try, tempt, test, prove.” In other words, the same word is used for trial, temptation and test! As is the case with all words, the context determines the meaning. For example, the word “trunk” came mean the luggage in the attic, the back part of your car, the nose of an elephant, etc.
Actually, the answers to these questions are clearly stated in several verses of Scripture.
1. We experience trials. James says, “You fall into various trials” (Jas. 1:2). Peter speaks of being grieved by “various trials” (1 Pet. 1:6). The Greek word rendered “trials” means “distress, pain.” Trials are external problems and pressures that distress us.
2. Satan tempts. Matthew writes, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Mt. 4:1). God does not tempt (Jas. 1:13); Satan does (Mt. 4:1; 1 Cor. 7:5). A temptation is an enticement to evil (Jas. 1:14).
3. God tests. Moses writes, “God tested Abraham” (Gen. 22:1). To be more specific, God tests our faith to prove it, and thus reward it (1 Pet. 1:7). As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the bridge, where it stayed an entire day. One worker asked, “Are you trying to break this bridge?” “No,”the builder replied, “I'm trying to prove that the bridge won't break.”
What is happening to us may be a trial, a temptation, and a test, all
at the same time, depending upon your point of view. From our own point of view, what is happening is a trial. From where Satan is coming from, it is a temptation, a solicitation to evil. From God’s perspective, it is a test to
bring out the faith in us. In short, Satan tempts; God tests. The devil tempts us to bring us down. God tests us to build us up.
To say the same thing another way:
A trial is a subjection to suffering.
A temptation is a solicitation to sin.
A test is a substantiation of one’s spiritual life.
“Submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7).
© 2012 G. Michael Cocoris 12/20/12
something a test?”
To complicate matters, the Greek word rendered “trial” means “try, tempt, test, prove.” In other words, the same word is used for trial, temptation and test! As is the case with all words, the context determines the meaning. For example, the word “trunk” came mean the luggage in the attic, the back part of your car, the nose of an elephant, etc.
Actually, the answers to these questions are clearly stated in several verses of Scripture.
1. We experience trials. James says, “You fall into various trials” (Jas. 1:2). Peter speaks of being grieved by “various trials” (1 Pet. 1:6). The Greek word rendered “trials” means “distress, pain.” Trials are external problems and pressures that distress us.
2. Satan tempts. Matthew writes, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Mt. 4:1). God does not tempt (Jas. 1:13); Satan does (Mt. 4:1; 1 Cor. 7:5). A temptation is an enticement to evil (Jas. 1:14).
3. God tests. Moses writes, “God tested Abraham” (Gen. 22:1). To be more specific, God tests our faith to prove it, and thus reward it (1 Pet. 1:7). As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the bridge, where it stayed an entire day. One worker asked, “Are you trying to break this bridge?” “No,”the builder replied, “I'm trying to prove that the bridge won't break.”
What is happening to us may be a trial, a temptation, and a test, all
at the same time, depending upon your point of view. From our own point of view, what is happening is a trial. From where Satan is coming from, it is a temptation, a solicitation to evil. From God’s perspective, it is a test to
bring out the faith in us. In short, Satan tempts; God tests. The devil tempts us to bring us down. God tests us to build us up.
To say the same thing another way:
A trial is a subjection to suffering.
A temptation is a solicitation to sin.
A test is a substantiation of one’s spiritual life.
“Submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7).
© 2012 G. Michael Cocoris 12/20/12