Posted on November 22nd, 2022.

Have you ever wondered why it seems like we continue to repeat specific cycles over and over again? You know what I’m talking about. All of a sudden, it looks like it’s one thing after another. No matter what you do, if something can go wrong, it goes wrong. Philippians 4:6-7

John 17:15

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

My hope and goal are for us to better understand our trials so that we can war in the spirit in a more significant way.

Jesus never promised we won’t go through trials. This is a very misunderstood concept that deserves a moment of our time. Let’s begin this journey of understanding by defining what we go through based on the Word of God. As we do this, we will learn to heal in areas we have not experienced healing within our lives. Let us begin.

What is the difference between trial and temptation?

James 1:2-18

A trial is a test. It is designed to do two things. A problem tests our Faith, and it shapes our character. James 1:3 How does God accomplish this with us? Exploiting our weakness’ through humility. Deuteronomy 8:2

The temptation is the desire to sin. In other words, to consider going against God’s command. James 1:14-15

Who does God put through trials?

Psalms 11:5

No one escapes trials. We, as followers of Jesus Christ, are placed into all kinds of tests. All tests are relational in nature. We experience Jesus in a way we had not known previous to the trial. Let’s say, for example, you don’t get a lot of finances within your problem. Is the main point of the practice your lack? No! That is a parameter of the test. However, there is a reason the test has been given.

In each trial we are given a specific set of parameters to operate

Remember back in the day, we would take scantron tests for specific classes? The expectation was to pass based on the information we were taught before the test. On the day of the test, we were instructed on how to fill out the scantron sheet. We were told to fill in the assessment test bubbles that would then be inserted into a specialized machine to be graded. We were told we could only fill in our answers with a #2 pencil. Depending on the class, we would be given a scrap of paper to help solve some of the problems. The pencil, the scrap paper, the quiet, and any other justified faculty demands were our criteria to maximize our focus to prove our competency. If these guidelines were not enforced, it would impact the results in a negative light.

God does the same thing with us. Our life trials redefine our character into an identity that reflects his son Jesus Christ. Please see Identity Crisis. In each trial, we are given a specific set of parameters to operate. If we choose to work outside these parameters, it would be considered a failure, and we would have to go through the cycle again. Romans 1:18-32

There is a curse that is associated with deciding to go against God’s will. Please see A Thought to a Stronghold. However, I will point one thing out. Romans 1:28-29 When we choose not to believe God, he allows us to dive deeper into our decision to do so. The deeper we go, the more increasingly difficult it is to see the error in our ways, though it is not impossible for God to save us. At the end of the day, God asks us to repent and turn from our wicked ways by way of believing Jesus.

Remember . . . God controls the parameters of our trials.

One of the most significant trials that clearly spells out what a test looks like is the infamous testing of Jesus in the wilderness.

Let’s break down the narrative a little bit.

Jesus in the Wilderness

Jesus was led to the wilderness to be tempted. In other words, Jesus was led into a trial. In Luke, it states he was tempted by the devil for forty days, then at the end of the forty-day fast, Satan spoke.

How did the devil tempt Jesus if he didn’t speak with him until the end of the fast? Check out Job 1:8-12. As per God’s OK, the devil set up the parameters of the test.

The Attack Against Jesus’ Control

What was Satan’s weapon? He tried to tempt Jesus to provide for himself. Take note, Satan didn’t come at Jesus until the very end of the fast. Satan was trying to get Jesus to take control over the situation. How would Jesus provide for himself at a point of such physical weakness? Was the trial over? Why didn’t he just feed himself if he knew the test was over? Jesus was hungry. Right?

The answer is in Matthew 4:11. The trial wasn’t over until the Father says it’s over. Jesus knew help was coming, and he just needed to hold out until it arrived. Jesus was obedient and waited on The Father. Jesus chose not to take control but instead trust our Father for his provision. John 6:38

The Attack against Jesus’ Will

Even though Jesus was 100% God, he didn’t rely on his equality with The Father. Philippians 2:5-8 He chose to be fully human and humbled himself in obedience, even death on a cross. This is why we say he was 100% God and 100% man.

Satan tried to tempt Jesus by attacking his resolve. He basically asked Jesus to try and commit suicide. Jesus shows us that he was not willing to change his mind. Jesus positioned himself to complete his mission as a servant to the Father. Jesus knew that he could at anytime use divine intervention. Matthew 26:53-54 Why would he though? The plan was to reconcile humanity as a Righteous Servant. Isaiah 53:11 Why would Jesus test the Father on this fact? That would contradict his mission Philippians 2:7 The Word reveals that Jesus would accomplish his task through obedience to the Father. Isaiah 11:1-3

The Attack Against Jesus’ Desire

Jesus does not have a sinful nature. He has his Father’s nature. Since Jesus has no sin nature, his desire is the Father’s desire. Jesus has no evil desires. Jesus taught that the things of this world will pass. He taught that our treasure needs to be stored up in Heaven, not here on earth.

Moreover, the Father has glorified the son for what he did on Calvary. Our Father already stated this through prophecy and the law. Therefore, how can Satan offer Jesus what was already given to Christ? That’s why Jesus said, Away Satan! It is written, worship the Lord God alone.

Jesus was attacked but was never tempted. Temptation comes from evil desires. Jesus did no wrong. He trusted his own Word, put on his armor, and used it when he was attacked. What did the devil do when Jesus repeated and counterattacked with God’s Word? He ran! That’s when the Father sent his son relief and tended to his needs. He was tested just like us and was victorious. That’s when Jesus moved into the beginning of his ministry. Matthew 4:17

It takes the full armor of God to defend against the enemy

What kind of trial am I in right now?

God tests our control, our resolve, and our desires. Think about it, what is the makeup of the human soul? The way we feel, the way we think, and what we do about it. See A Thought to a Stronghold. How are we allowing God to connect and work through us if we choose not to believe him with our feelings (desire), with our thoughts (resolve), or with our action (control)?

Does this mean God tempts us?

God is never tempted by evil, so he would never tempt us. He puts us within these trials, and Satan tries to stop us from recognizing God within it. If successful, the curse of going outside of God’s will then goes into effect. Everything outside of life will eventually lead to death. Romans 6:23

How do I overcome the enemy within a trial?

1 Corinthians 10:13 says in every trial, he creates a way out. To have Faith and believe God’s Word is the way out. It takes the full armor of God to defend against the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-18 Trials are set up in a way that brings us to our spiritual weakness. Once we get to that low point, we then come under attack. Satan will then present to you an alternative outside God’s will. At that point, we have a decision to make. Will we believe God, or will we choose our selfish desires? When we choose to believe God and remind the devil that Jesus is God’s Son the one true King, eventually Satan will run, and God will then send help.

The devil made me do it.

As the oldest of three brothers, I’ve been blamed for many different situations. Though some were true, some were false. It was in my early teens I chose to be different. As much as it hurt to get whooped, I decided to see my brothers differently from how they viewed me. I decided to take responsibility for most situations we got in trouble for, whether I did it or not. I was trying to show my brothers that I am their older brother; Therefore, I am willing to take their punishment for them. If justified, of course.

We as human beings have a natural inclination to shift blame. When we do something that isn’t right or shows a lack of responsibility, many of us choose to find a person, place, or thing to blame. My brothers used to do this to me a lot as a teen. If one of my brothers broke a rule and then got questioned about it, they would find a way to blame me. Why? The fear of punishment.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

God is Love. Does he have wrath? Yes, he does. That wrath is reserved for sin and anyone who encapsulates it. The good news about Jesus Christ, because he had no sin, he willingly diverted God’s Wrath upon himself for us. He paid a debt that we could not pay.

While we go through our trials, we have to recognize that nothing happens to us that doesn’t first get the Father’s OK. Jesus intercedes on our behalf to the Father; therefore, we must keep in constant communication (prayer) to help us get through. While we are within our trials, we come under all types of attacks that are designed to make us decide one way or another if we believe God or not.

Choose this day who you will serve, and let God multiply your fruit-based upon his namesake.

Thank you for reading my Blog. Please leave a comment and let me know how God has been blessing your Life. If you need prayer for anything, we currently have a group called Christ Seekers on Facebook. We have prayer warriors that will not only pray for you but help if you need help even if just to point you in the right direction.

God bless you and yours. Stay Salty!

Amen