Joy During Testing

What temptation tests you the most? Temptation refers to an allurement or enticement to do evil. We may experience tempting things and situations from time to time. Each temptation tests our faith and strength to say no and to choose what is good and pleasing to God.

We do not normally like temptation because it stirs up cravings in our flesh which we knew that if we give in we would fall into disobedience. However, because we are in the flesh, it is natural to experience various temptations. The Bible explains why we are tempted.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God,’ for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.
But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.
Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.’

– James 1:13-15 (WEB)

We are drawn away by our lust. It is this reason why we are easily tempted. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes , and the pride of life trigger the enticement to sin.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.”

– 1 John 2:16 (WEB)

None of us is immune to temptation. We should always watch out, be alert, and rely on God to empower us to obey Him and keep on walking in His will for us.

Count it joy to experience temptations. Because we are not immune to temptation and we may experience various kinds of it, we are always at risk of giving in to temptation. Yet, Christians should have a Biblical view of what temptation is and how it could benefit our spiritual life. As Christians, we are instructed to count it joy to experience temptations.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

– James 1:2-4 (WEB)

Why must we count it joy when we fall into various temptations? Because each is a test of our faith. The test is the catalyst for spiritual growth. Without testing or difficulty, growth cannot sprout.

When we experience temptation, the godly perspective is to treat it as a test of faith. Because it is a test of faith, our goal is to pass the test to the glory of God. To pass the test, we need to keep ourselves from giving in to temptation. While the temptation is there enticing and alluring our flesh, eyes, and ego, we stand firm to not give in. Instead, by the grace and strength of God, we ignore the enticement. This is endurance. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines endure as “to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding“. When we endure temptation, we do not yield to the promise of pleasure the world offers because the truth is it is sinful. It does not bring real and eternal pleasure. It is a fleeting pleasure that only satisfies the flesh until it asks for more. Thus, we remain firm in our faith even when we are suffering.

When temptation seduces you, count it joy because it is an opportunity to endure to pass the test. Do not yield. Be firm in your faith in Jesus Christ and in the eternal hope you have in Him.

It is my prayer that this week will bring victories over every kind of temptation through our patient endurance during the testing of our faith. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus who keeps us strong during the trials of life.

May there be victory over the temptation to give in to negative emotions, victory over depressing thoughts, victory over tempting thoughts of every kind, victory over the temptation to give in to addiction, victory over the temptation to fulfill the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life in the mighty name of Jesus!