People are often confused between the words trials and temptations.In our everyday battle ,when you are engulfed by feelings of weakness or entrapped by loss of self worth or feelings of defeat,it is good to discern temptation from tests or trials.To be able to know the difference,every christian needs to have a" spiritual check"and this entails knowing and meditating on God's word.
A trial has a goal of strengthening the christian.It reveals to the person an area of weakness and God may allow it in our lives so we can trust in Him in a deeper way.Once we surrender our weaknesses to God alone,it drives us to a greater dependency on Him.Then we become stronger after each trial.In 2 Cor. 12:10:,Paul says,"That is why,for Christ's sake I delight in weakness,in insults,in difficulties.For when I am weak,then I am strong."And in Nehemiah 8:10 says ,"The joy of the Lord is your strength.".
Temptation on the other hand is an enticement for us to do evil.It aims to destroy us and it always includes sin.Sometimes those temptations are aimed at meeting God given desires and drives in a wrong way.God does not tempt us.In Lam. 3:33,His word declares,"For He does not willingly bring afflliction or grief to the children of men."And in James 1:13-18,God does not tempt anybody.
Before Barnes and Nobles in my area closed a few months ago,I got lucky to acquire Charles F. Stanley's book ,"WHEN THE ENEMY STRIKES".It just makes me sad that a lot of bookstores here in America have closed and that includes christian bookstores.One of the stories in the book really caught my attention and it lingered in my mind :
A man once came to me and said,"Pastor,I've lost my job.I've been trying to find a new job for eight weeks,but I'm not having any success.Do you think the devil caused me to lose my job? Is he tempting me,or is God trying me?
"I asked him,"How did you lose your job?Were you fired for something you did,or was you company going through hard times and needed to let people go?"He said,"I think it was a combination.The company was going through a reorganization after a merger,and I was one of the last people hired.If I did anything wrong,it was that I didn't do enough to show why I was more valuable than the other guys in my same position."
"I'm not sure promoting yourself would have made any difference,"I said.He thought for a few seconds and then said,"You're probably right.""What kind of job are you looking for,"I asked him."Well ,I was a first-line supervisor on an assembly line,""Did you like that job?" I asked. "It paid well,"he said.
That isn't what I asked,"I said,"Did you really enjoy it?Did you look forward to monday mornings?"
He hung his head,"No," he finally stated." I really didn't enjoy that job."
"What would you like to do?"I asked."I'd really like to coach a softball team and teach physical education in a school.I have a teaching degree,and I love sports."
I said,"Sir,you weren't being attacked by the devil when you lost your job.You were liberated by God.!"
"What dou you mean?""You are seeing this job loss as an attack from the devil because you're without work and without income right now.I see this as a time of trial in your life---God is revealing that you have been in the wrong line of work,given the talents and desires He has built into you.God is trying to get you to see that you need to be applying for jobs in schools,and until one of those jobs shows up,you need to be substitute teaching,helping out with a softball team,or doing something to put yourself into position to be hired as a teacher!"I didn't have to say anymore.
This man's face lift up as if I had turned a light onto him.He had enthusiasm in his eyes."That's it,he said."I've been thinking the devil stole my job.The truth is that God wants me to have a better job!It may not be better in pay,but it sure would be better for me."God can show you how to live with a little less money",I assured him."And here's one thing I've seen happen again and again.When people work in a job they love,financial opportunities come their way.God provides."
This man clearly was experiencing a trial from God--a trial intended to move him into job that God desired for him to have.
(Charles F. Stanley',"When the Enemy Strikes",The Keys to Winning Your Spiritual Battles)
No comments:
Post a Comment