Believe it or not, it IS easy to tell the difference between a test and a temptation or attack. Always start with checking out the source and your spirit. Do you feel embarrassed or even worse – condemned? If so… not the Lord, not how He works. Sometimes, your emotions give you a sense of the source of your feelings. Don’t dismiss them out of hand. But also, never use them as an excuse.
We make mistakes. We sin. We do rash and/or unthinking things or speak those words. However… we aren’t a wretch any longer and we have a way back into fellowship when we do the things we don’t want to do and not do the things we do/should want to do.
“If we claim that we experience a shared life with Him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.
If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—He won’t let us down; He’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of Him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.”
[1 John 1:6-10, MSG]
ALWAYS remember who we turn to and what He understands. And… He is never surprised at our actions, words, decisions. But the glorious truth can be found in Hebrews.
“Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.
Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
(Hebrews 4: 14-16, AMP)
I needed to share with you the reality of not only that you are Human (created by God in His image) but you, like everyone, are a fallen Humanity – we all have this stain. BUT we also have a Savior (Jesus) who understands and is ready to help us – it takes our faith, our belief in all that Jesus said and did and continues to do for us. He will always be available when we turn to Him – whether it be a test (helping us to know what we know and what we still need to learn), a trial (sometimes of our own making, but those dry, desert places and times – though He is still with us when we finally turn to Him).
But a temptation – this the Triune God NEVER does. If it is a temptation… you know the source – your enemy, the devil. More important – do you know that it is a temptation that you (always) CAN stand against? The devil wants us to feel (we sometimes put aside what we know and allow ‘feel’ to lead and dictate). Never, never forget John 10:9-10
” I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security). The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”
What a vivid comparison of the thoughts and behaviors – plus we know who is the strongest, who never slips, never betrays, and tells us He will never leave us. On the other hand, our arch enemy will use every opportunity to trip us up especially misquoting scripture. You, however, always have a way back into fellowship with the Triune God [1 John 1:9]. A test or trial… never a temptation and if you are facing a temptation, that’s never from the Lord.
” Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.”
[Philippians 4:6]
