Why Trials and Temptations?

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Why Trials and Temptations?

by Brian Edward Johnson

Ihave 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).

So, why do we go through trials and temptations? There are a few reasons. One of those is our disobedience. We try to live life on our terms. We do things that fulfill our flesh or that make us happy, even if that deviates from what is right according to the Bible. I mean, it is not hurting anyone, right?

I would caution against that because the Bible is true, so when it says you will reap what you sow, you can be sure that you will. Learn to have patience and wait on the Lord. Focus on His desires and not your own. If you do that, the blessings you receive will be more fulfilling than anything you could dream up for yourself.

God’s goal is to conform us to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). One of the ways He does that is by taking us through trials and temptations. How can you learn patience if you never have to wait? How can you learn to trust if you never have a need? The children of Israel became thirsty in the wilderness, and God provided water for them miraculously. He provided manna, but they could only get enough for one day. They had to trust God for their daily bread. If they gathered more than a day’s work, it went bad. I find it interesting that on the sixth day, it lasted for two days. It shows that God was in control.

So, trust God in the trial. Know that God is trying to grow you spiritually. Remember promises like, “…God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).

When we respond correctly, trials and temptations bring us closer to God.

About The Author 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.

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Policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. 0519-503HC-15939-12/1/2020This piece has been reproduced with the permission of Life Happens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ financial futures. Life Happens does not endorse any insurance company, product or advisor. © Life Happens 2018. All rights reserved. 0519-503HC-15939-12/1/2020