Springs Article 2021-03 (2)
James 1:2-8
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Romans 5:3-5
Why does God allow me to go through ‘temptations and trials’?
- So that you can affirm/confirm your love for Him (your genuine love for God will be tested!)
- So that you can develop strength of character
- So that you can be challenged to grow unto spiritual maturity
- So that you can be validated/confirmed and thereby promoted to the next level
- James 1:2-4, 12, Luke 24:26, Psalm 34:19-20, Romans 5:3-4
- So that you can bring glory to His Name by overcoming the adversity
- Whatever you go through, make sure that you grow through it!
How can I prove that I love God?
- The proof of love for a higher authority is obedience!
- John 14:15, Ephesians 5:22-24
- The proof of love for someone under your authority is sacrifice!
- John 3:16, Ephesians 5:25-29
Do all ‘temptations and trials’ lead to growth and promotion?
- No. Adversity (temptations and trials) can either build you or break you
- The faithfulness of God guarantees that you will never be permitted to go through anything that you cannot bear (i.e. handle and overcome with His help)
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- Given that God is faithful, a lot depends on you
- Your attitude makes all the difference!
- You can choose to embrace a positive attitude: it’s a choice you make.
How can I avoid failing when tested?
- You have to take heed!
- 1 Corinthians 10:12
- Failing when tested can lead you into unnecessary adversity
- Taking heed means paying attention!
- You have to pay attention to God
- You have to pay attention to instruction, correction and warning
- Nobody fails their test or temptation in one day: it is usually an accumulation of little bits of carelessness, complacency, lusting, fantasizing and compromising
- Little instances of taking God for granted (pride and selfishness) can pile up into big episodes of rebellion against God (the things of God and the church of God)
- Lucifer did not fall in one day: it was the final result of a progressive accumulation of lustful fantasizing over time
- Eve did not fall in one day: it was the final result of a progressive accumulation of lustful fantasizing over time
- James 1:14-15
- The most dangerous attitude in life is to take God (His Word, His Spirit and His Church) for granted!
- Hebrew 11:6