An Essay -Testing and Temptation

Question - "If there is a difference between being tested and being tempted, what is the difference?

My Answer - I believe that there is a definite difference between being tested and being tempted which I will try (and hopefully will) make clear to you. We will first find out what temptation is and then we’ll see what testing is. In my final point we will examine the difference between the two.

First of all, what is temptation? Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines temptation as – “The act of tempting; enticement to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good.” In Matthew 4 we read of the temptation of Jesus. The devil tempted Jesus 3 times and yet He did not sin. Even when he flatters Jesus and tells him of the apparent good and real good that he will receive Jesus replies with scripture and remains steadfast to God. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent tempts Eve into eating the forbidden fruit who then tempts Adam to do the same and suddenly all mankind is now depraved and inherently sinful. Solomon’s many wives tempt him into serving and sacrificing to their false gods. He fails. Joseph on the other hand, is faithful to God and though Potiphar’s wife greatly tempts him to lie with her he refuses. Scripture is packed with examples of temptation and although we could spend an adequate amount of time here let’s move on to testing.

Now that we have seen temptations in past events let’s look at testing. God tests us every day by putting obstacles in our life and encouraging us to pull through and remain steadfast to him. James 1:2&3 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” If we had everything in our life go just the way we wanted it to go than how steadfast to God would we be? The answer is simple. We would not have any steadfastness whatsoever! If there were no trials than there would be no suffering for Christ and the cross he carried. I find that the more I read God’s Word, the more my Faith increases and the easier I find trials in my life become. Do you remember when God tested Abraham? It is in Gen. 22. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering. What was Abraham’s response? Abraham feared God and obeyed him unquestionably. He had faith in God and believed God would fulfill his promise and keep His covenant. Just when Abraham was about to slay his son God called out to him saying, “…do not kill the boy.” Abraham had a hard trial and yet he remained steadfast to God. He will most assuredly receive “the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him!” (James 1:12)

And now, what is the difference? In Eden, God tested Adam and Eve. He did not tempt them. We know this because in James 1:13-15 it clearly states, “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 is has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” We learn from this that God does not tempt anyone. He is holy. Adam and Eve were tempted by their own desire. And when they desired it so greatly, they ate the forbidden fruit and after that bite they were both thrown out of Eden never to return. Though they sinned and though we sin God sent down his only begotten son that whosoever shall believe in him will have everlasting life! In all, tempting and testing are not the same thing. God set the temptation there in the garden, the tree, and told them to not eat of its fruit. The serpent tempted them to eat the fruit. What is the difference? God said to not eat it. The serpent said to eat it. One is encouraging you to do evil while the other is encouraging you to pull through.

-David