Aug 08 2008
All Temptations Are Two-Fold
Were both God and Satan involved in the temptation of Christ? Is this the case also when we are tempted? The answer to both questions is yes. The reason for this is seen in the two-fold meaning of the word temptation.
1. First meaning—To test in a good sense with the goal of confirming one in matters of righteousness
a. As experienced by Jesus—“Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matt. 4:1). “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
b. As experienced by believers—“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him,, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am” (Gen. 22:1).
2. Second meaning—To entice one into evil
a. As experienced by Jesus—Satan made a desperate attempt to entice Jesus into evil.
b. As experienced by believers—“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel” (1 Chron. 21:1). “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:13-14).
In light of this, is it ever (or always) a sin for the believer to be tempted? It all depends upon just who has led us into the temptation itself!
1. If our guide has been the Holy Spirit (as was the case here in Matt. 4), then it can be said that not only is temptation not a sin, it is actually both an honor and an opportunity.
a. It is an honor because it demonstrated that God can trust us. He knows just how much we can withstand (Psa. 103:13-14), and will not allow the temptation to go beyond that limit (1 Cor. 10:13). This is why both James and Peter could describe temptation in such a positive light. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations … Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:2, 12). “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
b. It is an opportunity because we can use it to grow spiritually and to strengthen our faith. Paul writes of this: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Cor. 12:7-10).
2. If, however, our guide has been the old nature (as is often the case with us), then the temptation will prove harmful and even disastrous. James had this kind of guide in mind when he warned: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:13-15).
James was saying that we should not “tempt” temptation. Note the admonition of Solomon: “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent” (Prov. 6:27-29).
It has been correctly observed that while a believer may find it impossible to control himself under certain circumstances, he or she can always control the circumstances themselves.
An airline captain who had flown gigantic Boeing 747 passenger jetliners for years was once asked to define what constituted a great pilot. He replied: “A great pilot is an expert flier who never allows his plane to encounter those flying conditions which would require all of his greatness and expertise.”
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