Tested and Tried
By Reverend John E. Baker
Posted: 4:49p.m .est, October 08, 2006

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptations; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." — James 1:12. Every child of God will be tempted at some point in time in his or her life.

It is a fact of life for a Christian. But here is the secret about temptation: Temptation is not sin. That should release the pressure valve for many believers. In addition, you are not the only one being tempted.

 

The Greek word for temptation is "peirasmos," which means "putting to proof by experiment." Webster’s Dictionary defines temptation as "enticements by evil arguments." The word "temptation" also implies adversity. No one likes to be tempted. It is like fighting a war. In James 1:14, James defines temptation for us. He states, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust and entice." While God does not tempt us with evil, He allows us to be tested and tried. The testing of our faith develops a vital virtue, called patience, in us believers. When we understand and believe that temptation is not a sin, we will be delivered from unnecessary guilt and shame. In addition, we will be in a place to deal more effectively with the temptations that come our way. Not all the thoughts that run through our minds originate from us; some of them are placed in our minds and in our flesh by the devil — the enemy of your soul. We must not take ownership or cherish thoughts that come from the devil. Ungodly thoughts and imaginations, which enter the threshold of our minds, must be cast down using the mighty weapons of God.

 

Hear this truth now: Every Christian is tempted. When we understand that the temptations we face are common to other Christians as well, we will recognize that we are not in the battle by ourselves. There are millions of believers who are also battling against temptations and being victorious. We may not be tempted with what the other person is currently being tempted with, nevertheless we are all being tried and tested. I Corinthians 10:13 states, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man." Jesus Christ himself was tempted. Hebrews 4:15 declares, "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

 

How do we deal with temptations? The battle over temptations is won or lost in your mind. The thought process is the arena where victory is won or defeat is experienced over temptations. Is there a war going on in your mind — that is, the war against temptations? The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians states, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds, casting down imaginations, every high thing that exalteth itself against God, and bringing into to captivity every thought to the obedience of God."

 

The Christian is equipped with weapons to destroy temptations at the threshold of their creation in the mind. Notice that Paul said the weapons of our warfare affect imaginations, knowledge and thoughts. As we have said before, temptations begin in the mind. A thought is the birth of a certain course of action or thinking. Sin is committed when we yield our members (mental and/or physical) to bring to life a thought that is opposite to God’s thoughts.

 

Therefore, we must resist temptations. If our minds are renewed daily through the transforming power of the grace of God, then we will have the strength to capture thoughts that are contrary to God’s will and bring them into subjection. The important thing in the battle against temptation is getting our minds renewed. Listen, we can yield our minds to temptations. Matthew 5:28 states, "But I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery in his heart.” To strengthen our minds, we must fortify them with the words of God. Daily readings of the Bible and listening to the anointed, preached word of God will strengthen and renew our minds. In the same vein, we have to abstain from listening to things (music, speeches, etc.) that are ungodly.

 

David in the Psalms declares that he had hidden God’s word within his heart that he would not sin against God. That is the key: Our minds must be filled with God’s words, we must meditate on His words and walk in His words in order to overcome temptations.

 

Jesus set the perfect example for us in overcoming temptations with the words of God. When the devil tempted Him, He used the word of God to combat him. Jesus declared to the devil, "It is written." We need to know the written words of God so we can quote relevant passages during the times of testing for strength and deliverance. I remember one day I was battling with the enemy, and I quoted the scripture to him that says, "Greater is He that is within me than he that is the world." The devil dared me to find it in the word of God. Oh! My friend, what a victory it was when I was able to turn to I John 4:4 and quote it to him.

 

We also overcome temptations by praying. Jesus told His disciples that they should watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. Prayer keeps us focused and helps us to understand God’s perspective. Prayer lets us know that what we are going through is only a test and God has made a way of escape for us. Prayer changes us, and as we are changed, we are better able to overcome temptations. Someone said the devil trembles when he sees a saint on his knees. James tells us that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Keep praying, my brothers and sisters.

 

If you talk with God, you will be able to overcome all temptations that come your way.