Sins That So Easily Trap Us

What is the difference between being tempted and being tested, in your experience?

Tested something to see if you pass (builds the fruit of the spirit)

Tempted is something to see if you fail (encourages the works of the flesh)

Splitting hairs… Maybe

Tested is normally something you can’t control (financial struggle, family turmoil, loss of a family member, something that requires patience, love, peace, etc… to get through)

Tempted is normally something you can/should control (lust, pride, etc… that is a desire of your heart)

Tested

Trials test your faith - James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Jesus was tested while he fasted 40 days in the wilderness without food, relying solely on God and his word to sustain him.

Tempted

James 1:13-14 - 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. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness with food, immortality and power.

The devil was fooled… He thought Jesus was just a man. Which he was a man, but he was God with us - Matthew 1:23 (Isaiah 7:14)