Embracing Temptation

Temptation—(1.) Trial; a being put to the test.

When a teacher gives you a test, there are many times where the only way you can pass the test is if you paid attention during the lessons they taught. This is the same with God… he doesn’t tempt us as the serpent did Eve but he does test us to make sure we stay alert and on watch for the very thing he tried to warn us about.

Two main things are often tested in our lives, and no matter what scenario you think of they all fall under one if not both of these categories: faith and patience.

We have an example of God testing someone’s faith in order to expose them to another level of their faith:

Gen 22:1 - 1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.

Abraham Passed the test! Would you pass the test believing that God would make a way?

Hebrews 11:17-19

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.

James 1:12 - Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

This test was necessary for Abraham because how could he be called to be the father of faith if he was never put into a situation where he needed to operate in faith, it was one level of faith to leave his father’s house in Gen 12, but it’s a whole nother level of faith to be willing to kill your son while in the back of your head knowing that GOd was going to raise him from the dead, the ram was just the sign of approval from God. When you have a calling on your life you must be put into situations that contradict it in order for you to operate in it.... Gideon (hiding but really a warrior), Moses (runner but really a deliverer) David (Sheperd but really a king) Jesus (little jewish boy but really the Messiah). Looks are decieving… I’m more than what you see with your natural eyes...

So we must be tested not because God wants us to fail but being tested is a prerequistite to ordination.