Trials Versus Temptations

No temptation has overtaken you except such is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.

1 Corinthians 10:13

A consumer protection group will test a car to find its flaws, while the car manufacturer tests a car to find its strengths. In the same way, Satan tempts us to bring out the bad (James 1:13–18), while God tests us to bring out the good (vv. 1:1–12). Nothing tests the integrity of our faith like our response to temptation.

When we hear of people falling prey to temptation, we are not surprised. But when we face temptation ourselves, we are often shocked. We shouldn’t be surprised, for temptation is inevitable. The more we grow toward the Lord, the more we are tempted.

Unless we acknowledge the reality of temptation, we have set ourselves up to fail. Paul agrees with James that temptation should not be considered unusual in the life of a Christian but common to every believer.