Oh, How Tempting!

"Let no one say when he is tempted, 

'I am being tempted by God,' 

for God cannot be tempted with evil, 

and he himself tempts no one.  

But each person is tempted when he is lured

and enticed by his own desire.  

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, 

and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

James 1:13-15

The difference in trials and temptation?  Let's hear from Noah Webster:

TRIAL: n.  The state of being tried or tempted; exposure to suffering that tests strength, patience, faith, or the like; affliction or temptation that exercises and proves the graces or virtues of men. 

TEMPTATION, n. The act of tempting; enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good.

1. Solicitation of the passions; enticements to evil proceeding from the prospect of pleasure or advantage.

2. The state of being tempted or enticed to evil. When by human weakness you are led into temptation, resort to prayer for relief.

As we embrace trials versus temptation, something happens:

One is productive in our lives; the other is destructive.

One brings joy; the other brings death.

One produces patience; the other produces evil desire.

One completes us; the other destroys us.

It is so easy to disparage in the midst of trials.  God's will for us is to endure with joy, knowing that He has  great prospects in mind for us.

In our flesh it is also easy to give in to temptation.  But knowing it is not from God, we can only blame ourselves. 

  1 Corinthians 10:13-14

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."

When we give in to temptation, it becomes an idol in our lives.  Oh, that we may resist!

Praying, "Lord, deliver us from evil,"

Gloria