In Matthew 4 we read that following his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  Yet how can that be?  The Bible tells us, “When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;…” (James 1:13) If God doesn’t ever tempt us to sin, how is it that The Spirit led Jesus into a place where he was going to be tempted?  Sometime ago I read about the difference between a trial, a test and a temptation.

Trials are difficult events that inevitably come to every life. Trials are unpleasant circumstances that occur as a result of living in a fallen world. There are viruses in the air, disappointments in friends and accidents on the road.  Peter wrote, Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Pet 4:12-13)

A test is a difficulty sent deliberately by God to reveal the depth of our character and ultimately bring out the best in us. Gen 22:1 reads, “God tested Abraham” when He commanded him to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar.  A school principal may order a fire drill as a test. The purpose of the fire drill is not to burn the school down but to test the students’ ability to vacate the building in an emergency and to prepare them for potential disaster. The principal knows it’s a test but the students do not. God sometimes sends tests to mature us and enhance our witness. God’s purpose is that we pass the test and thereby gain confidence and provide a positive testimony of faithfulness to others.

A temptation is sent by Satan to bring out our worst. The word tempt means “to entice to do wrong by a promise of pleasure or gain” and is a deliberate enticement to sin. The devil’s goal is that you disobey God and are spiritually weakened. His desire is to eventually entrap you in sin so that you will suffer defeat and ultimately death. While God temporarily permits Satan to tempt us, God is never the author of temptation and he always provides the means for us to be victorious over Satan’s crafty seductions. God permitted Jesus to be tempted so that He would identify with our experience and demonstrate victory. The Bible assures us, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Jesus endured the trial of living in spartan, wilderness conditions for forty days. He fasted the entire time – which was a test of endurance. When Satan initiated the temptations to sin, Jesus resisted his strongest allure.

Whatever trials, tests or temptations you experience this week, remember that Jesus was tempted in every point just as we are yet he was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”