We bless the Lord who has placed our footsteps on the path of righteousness to run this gospel race in our time. However, as we run, it’s imperative to know that there are things that would befall us on the way to checkmate, evaluate, qualify and examine us because if truly we are believers, we must be proved. The Holy Spirit explains this to us and we are glad to bring you the review. So let’s plunge into them!
Scriptures: Matthew 26:41, Matthew 6:13, 1Peter 1:5-7, Psalms 119:67,71, Hebrew 12:5, James 1:12, Psalms 73:1-28
There are three of these challenges that would come to us: Trial, Test and Temptation. All of these three are not the same, and they are also for different purposes.
Trial and Test
We addressed these two because they are from God.
Trial is a difficult situation that comes upon you as a believer to see the approach you will give to it, and to also reveal your quality and genuinity. Trial is somewhat a long period of challenge, and while we have different kinds of trials, as children of God, the purpose for which we are tried is to draw us closer to Him. There are many things that God needs to work on in your lives; this is why his dealing with you has to be personal. And one of the strategies of God in purifying, humbling, and making you learn his word is through trials. Again, trials will bring forth your quality, thus, there is a good side of trial.
David once said, that he was able to learn the word of God after he went through affliction. Peter, more so, encouraged us that the trial of our faith will eventually be found unto the praise, glory, and honor at the appearing of Jesus Christ; meaning that everyone who would see the appearing of Jesus must go through trial. That is why we were enjoined not to faint or be weary when we are tried (chastised), because God only chastises His own sons, and only bastards are left without chastisement.
Trial will lead you into prayer, fasting, and all other spiritual exercises, and the secret is, when this happens, you will get closer to God. As you endure through the trial, you are growing into maturity, and sooner or later, that trial will come to an end; because trial has a beginning and thus, has an end. Therefore, when you are tried, don’t take a shortcut.
Test, on the other hand, is proving something under the condition in which it will be used. Test shows who you are, and therefore, could fix you into a position after being examined. This is also from God.
Brother, when you fail a test, you will be demoted, just like in the school setting, when students are tested and they pass, the reward is promotion. One reason why we have remained at a level forever is because we fail tests.
Temptation
Temptation is a trap, when you fall into it, you may have to suffer deformity for life. Temptation is the only challenge the bible tells us to pray not to fall into. When you fall into certain temptations like adultery, even if you’re forgiven, you won’t be jjustified –it then becomes a stigma. God does not tempt, the devil does and he takes advantage of the lust of your hearts.
Examining the Life of Abraham
Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:1-3, Genesis 21:5, Genesis 22:1-2.
Our father of faith went through these three challenges:
Abraham faithfully followed God in his time, he was the only one God was dealing with. Abraham was delayed in child bearing for 25years after God promised him. That delay was a trial. However, despite the delay, the bible says ‘he staggered not at the promise of God’, yes, it led Abraham to fasting and prayer and he was built up in the process.
After God tried Abraham and he passed, then God tested him; he told him to sacrifice his only begotten son. We can learn something from this test and apply it in our lives.
God came privately to Abraham to give him that instruction. This means that you will also be tested privately, it might not always be through prophecy, and not through some external source. Sometimes, it could be a thought (a still small voice) that comes to you and tells you to drop something for His work, and if you despise it, you fail the test.
Also, Abraham was tempted and he fell; his wife urged him to sleep with her maid, Haggai because she could not continue to endure the trial. That temptation brought Ishmael -the vagabond, and both of them suffered it.
The only way to overcome temptation is to let the word of God remain alive in you. Jesus was tempted by the devil, but he did not fall because he was the word of God and the word of God was him.
After Jesus had fasted for forty days and nights, the devil came to explain to him that he was now powerful enough to turn stones to bread, but because the word of God surpasses every evil thoughts brought by Satan, for this and subsequent temptations, Jesus overcame. Therefore, Let the word of God dwell in you richly, and pray; then you will not fall into temptation.
Finally, brothers and sisters, God is molding you so you can be fit to reign with him in His kingdom to come. Therefore, ensure that you don’t envy the riches of this world rather, choose to walk with God, and pay diligent attention to his word. Keep growing through your trials, tests and overcome every temptation, and no sooner than you think, your reward of blessing will come. (Psalms 73:1-28).
Shalom, brethren.
You can please follow up with the sermon video here