Trials research

Trials, Tests, and Temptations

GOD’S WAY OUT OF TEMPTATIONGod gives us these resources during temptation:• His presence. “He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 nkjv see also Hebrews 13:5).• His model—Jesus. “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:17–18 niv).• His guidance. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 nrsv).• His mission for our life that keeps us directed. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1 niv).• His other people with whom we share encouragement. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25 niv).• His forgiveness when we fall and fail. “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 nrsv).

[1]

3986 πειρασμός [peirasmos /pi·ras·mos/] n m. From 3985; TDNT 6:23; TDNTA 822; GK 4280; 21 occurrences; AV translates as “temptation” 19 times, “temptations” once, and “try” once. 1 an experiment, attempt, trial, proving. 1a trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal. 4:14). 1b the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy. 1b1 an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances. 1b2 an internal temptation to sin. 1b2a of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand. 1b3 of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness. 1b4 adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s character, faith, holiness. 1c temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men. 1c1 rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves.

1383 δοκίμιον [dokimion /dok·im·ee·on/] n n. A presumed derivative of 1382; TDNT 2:255; TDNTA 181; GK 1510; Two occurrences; AV translates as “trying” once, and “trial” once. 1 the proving. 2 that by which something is tried or proved, a test.

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3985 πειράζω [peirazo /pi·rad·zo/] v. From 3984; TDNT 6:23; TDNTA 822; GK 4279; 39 occurrences; AV translates as “tempt” 29 times, “try” four times, “tempter” twice, “prove” once, “assay” once, “examine” once, and “go about” once. 1 to try whether a thing can be done. 1a to attempt, endeavour. 2 to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself. 2a in a good sense. 2b in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments. 2c to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin. 2c1 to solicit to sin, to tempt. 1c1a of the temptations of the devil. 2d after the OT usage. 2d1 of God: to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith. 2d2 men are said to tempt God by exhibitions of distrust, as though they wished to try whether he is not justly distrusted. 2d3 by impious or wicked conduct to test God’s justice and patience, and to challenge him, as it were to give proof of his perfections.[3]

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niv Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

nrsv Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1]Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., & Wilson, N. S. (1992). James. Life application Bible commentary (Page 24). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

n n: noun or neuter

m m: masculine

TDNT Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

TDNTA Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume

GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger

AV Authorized Version

n n: noun or neuter

TDNT Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

TDNTA Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume

GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger

AV Authorized Version

[2]Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the test of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (G1383). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.

v v: verb

TDNT Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

TDNTA Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume

GK Goodrick-Kohlenberger

AV Authorized Version

[3]Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the test of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (G3985). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.