Browse Sermons or listen on Apple | Spotify | SoundCould | YouTube
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Notice this passage does NOT say, “God will not put more on you than you can bear.” Most Christians misquote 1 Corinthians 10:13 in this way. Why would God make a way of escape from something He brought into your life to teach you a lesson or make you more holy? He wouldn’t.
James 1:13 says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”
When you read both passages, it’s clear that God is not involved in temptation. You might say, “well, of course, He isn’t.”
But look at this…
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Did you know that “trials” and “temptation” are the same Greek word in these passages? The Greek word is peirasmois. You could and should say, “let no one say when I am in a trial that the trial is from God.”
God is not sending trials into your life to make you more holy or teach you lessons. Tribulation will come in this life, it’s unavoidable, but it’s not from God.
Your faith is tested when you are tempted. Sometimes you pass the test; sometimes, you don’t. The good news is that God will give you wisdom to stand in the spiritual gift of patience until you are free from the trial/temptation and become more mature in that area. He wants to help you out of it. You can ask God for help, and he will help you without finding fault or rebuking you (James 1:5).
When you face the trial/temptation in the power of patience, it causes you to grow up in that area and become more mature. If you are tempted in an area or continue to face specific trials, ask God for help, He wants to help you. Don’t accept it as His will and embrace the pain.
For clarity, trials/temptations are different than persecution. You may experience persecution for your faith, even to the loss of life, but that is not what James or Paul are talking about in these passages.
Watch the entire sermon above for more on this subject, or download my series titled Is God In Control?
Clint and Sara Byars - Forward Ministries
Sara and I pray our resources are a blessing to you. If Forward Ministries has enriched your walk with Jesus, please consider supporting the work and help us continue to Change The Way The World Sees God!!
