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Why Trials and Temptations?
I
by Brian Edward Johnson
have always been fascinated by Matthew 4:1. “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Jesus had just gotten baptized.
The Bible says, “the heavens were opened unto him” (Matthew 3:16), and God’s voice was heard from heaven. Pretty awesome stuff, right? Then, he is in the wilderness getting tempted. The thing that blows me away about this verse is that the Holy Spirit led him to be tempted. This temptation was intentional. We do not like trials, and I assume most of us do not want to be tempted. But this verse tells me that you can be in God’s will, walking in the Spirit, and still go through trials and temptations. Remember Job? The Bible says he was “perfect and upright” (Job 1:1), and he went through a trial that would have many of us giving up. One of the interesting aspects of that story is the trial was God’s idea. “And the Lord said unto Satan, ‘Hast thou considered my servant Job…’” (Job 1:8).
to trust if you never have a need? The children of Israel
So, why do we go through trials and temptations?
became thirsty in the wilderness, and God provided water
There are a few reasons. One of those is our disobedience.
for them miraculously. He provided manna, but they could
We try to live life on our terms. We do things that fulfill
only get enough for one day. They had to trust God for
our flesh or that make us happy, even if that deviates
their daily bread. If they gathered more than a day’s work,
from what is right according to the Bible. I mean, it is not
it went bad. I find it interesting that on the sixth day, it
hurting anyone, right?
lasted for two days. It shows that God was in control.
I would caution against that because the Bible is true,
So, trust God in the trial. Know that God is trying to
so when it says you will reap what you sow, you can be
grow you spiritually. Remember promises like, “…God is
sure that you will. Learn to have patience and wait on the
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that
Lord. Focus on His desires and not your own. If you do
ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way
that, the blessings you receive will be more fulfilling than
to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
anything you could dream up for yourself. God’s goal is to conform us to the image of Christ
When we respond correctly, trials and temptations bring us closer to God.
us through trials and temptations. How can you learn patience if you never have to wait? How can you learn
26 // November 2021
About The Author
(Rom. 8:29). One of the ways He does that is by taking Brian Edward Johnson is a deacon at his church and a nurse by vocation. He wants to do the best he can to teach people to trust God, for their eternity and for each day.
