Sunday, May 2, 2010

God cannot tempt, He only tests

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

-James 1:2-3,13-15

In Sunday School today, I heard something that I'd never heard before. In these verses, it says "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;". God can test us, but he cannot tempt us. In order for him to tempt us, he would have to be evil, which he is not. It is the devil that tempts us through our own evil desires. Our evil desires then cause us to sin and then eventually we die (spiritually/eternally)
BUT, the cool thing is, we are to consider it JOY when we face trials because it develops perseverance (steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.)

SO, to sum it up, God can't tempt us, only Satan can and we are to be joyful when we are tested because it helps us develop persistence in our only Purpose in spite of all of the obstacles and persecution.

Thanks, God for testing us and never tempting us. You're pretty awesome.

-K

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