FIRST. God does not tempt. 

James 1:13   Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God;” for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.” So lead us not into temptation, is a plea for God to protect us and guide us around situations and circumstances that might lure us into ungodly action.

SECOND. God does test us for us to know that we need to grow and be dependent on him.

God tested Abraham when he told him to sacrifice his only son on the altar,  and Abraham passed and became a model for us to fallow. Remember our God is GOOD and does everything for our good.

THIRD. Temptations also sometimes refer to trials or hardships, and God can use suffering to produce godly character.  James 1:2-4.

It is not wrong to pray for God to minimize our trials.

Pray, “Have your way with me, Lord, and show me a way out of it.”

Don’t jump out of the fire. Let God finish His work in you. This hard to do.

Do you remember the trials of the past? Now you look back and see how God watched over you.  He has produced a stronger, more godly person out of you.

David prayed a similar prayer in Psalm 141:4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me at their delicacies.” (Delicacies: enticing gossip, loose living, lowering our godly standards) Or you get so wrapped up with the troubles of the world that your faith weakens.

Remember our loving God will not test us beyond our limits; that is a promise. Be encouraged.

Bill Badal

Bill Badal

Bill Badal is Pastor Emeritus at First Baptist. He was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, and moved to the United States as a teenager.