Test vs. Temptation

From 2001 to 2003 a reality television show aired called Temptation Island.  The premise behind this show was to place a committed couple on an island, isolate the couple from each other, and place them in a group of singles from the opposite gender.  This was done in order to test the strength of their relationship.  Needless to say, things did not always go well for the couple.

Though the principle behind the show was to test the strength of the couple’s relationship, the reality was not a test at all.  It was a temptation to break up the relationship.  Where there is nothing wrong in testing a situation, such as a relationship, it is outright ridiculous and wrong to tempt another into sin such as the show attempted to do.  Where testing is encouraged in a relationship, engrossing ourselves in a situation filled with temptations is foolish.

The same can be said for situations in which God’s children find themselves.  Some of those situations are more difficult than others, but as the book of James tells us God uses those times in order to test our faith.  But James also makes it clear that God does not tempt us.  When we face trials and troubles we can chose to follow and trust our God or fall into the temptations of anxiety or worry.  But if we do fall into sin through these situations we cannot blame God.  For He will not tempt us.

So, what is the difference between a test and a temptation?  How can God test us but not tempt us?  Where does temptation come from?  How can we fight temptations in our life?  Who is to blame when we are tempted and when we fall to those temptations?

May God speak to our hearts this week as we once again dig deeply into His Word and ask the Spirit to speak to us, revealing our own hearts and desires.  May  His name be glorified through our study of His Word and our living out of the Truth we discover this week.