Tests, trials, and temptations are inevitable challenges in every believer’s life. God’s Word reveals that these events are bound to occur (Luke 17:1). However, the Word of God provides an assured way to overcome these challenges when we face them. Let us take a careful look at these challenges and delve into biblical examples and guidance of how we can attain victory in the tests, trials, and challenges we are bound to face in our walk with God.

Tests

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces ^[a]patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be ^[b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  – James 1:2-4

Tests, given by God, are what I call positive oppositions in a believer’s life. They are challenges that reveal the true allegiance of the believer. Tests come to evaluate if we are prepared and ready for the next assignment in our lives. They are not sinful or evil acts, but difficult challenges one must undertake to prove their faith and trust in God. Essentially, one’s faith and trust in God and His word are tested. Tests will reveal the core reason behind your walk with the Lord. Often referred to as the pruning stage in a believer’s life, it may not seem pleasant, but when successfully overcome, it will launch the believer into a bountiful outcome. As James 4 reveals, this bountiful outcome is the maturity/ completeness/ perfection of the believer attains in his or her walk with God, being able to overcome the evil systems of the world, evil desires of the flesh, and oppositions of the enemy at all times.

Example of Test in the Bible (Genesis 22:1-19):

When God asked Abraham to offer Isaac, the promised son, as a sacrifice, it was a profound test of faith. God had promised Abraham a son, and after many years of waiting, this promise was fulfilled in Abraham’s old age. A few years after Isaac’s birth, God asked Abraham to offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed and prepared to sacrifice his son, but just as he was about to do so, God stopped him and provided a ram to sacrifice instead of Isaac. This request was incredibly difficult to comprehend, but it was a test to reveal Abraham’s true faith and trust in God. Abraham proved that He was completely devoted and committed to God at all cost. With such profound devotion, the enemy has no place to intervene. Abraham’s obedience led to even greater blessings from God, who was very pleased with him and fulfilled all His promises to Abraham.

Trials

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. – 1 Peter 12-13

Challenges and difficulties we face as a result of living in a fallen world and being constantly plagued by the enemy and his demons. Trials are often referred to as a warfare in the believer’s life. The goal of a trial is to kill, steal and destroy the believer. But as believers we know in God’s word that it is impossible for trials to prevail over us as long as we are hidden, rooted and kept in our Lord Jesus Christ. The enemy often scheme and plan the trials and temptations we face in life, he orchestrates them to derail us from the path of righteousness and cause us to become miserable and give up on God. But the good news is as the enemy plans to use trials for evil, God intervenes to reorchestrate the outcome of trials in our lives to birth a glorious outcome. To experience the outcome of God in a trial it means to stick with God as you go through the trial. The outcome of overcoming a trial is glorious, Jesus Christ is revealed in His beauty and light for all to bear. witness, our hearts gets filled with unending joy and praise to God.

Example of Trial in the Bible (Genesis 37-50)

The story of Joseph, who became the prime minister of Egypt, exemplifies how a person can face trials on their journey to fulfill their destiny. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. In Egypt, he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of committing sexual assault and was imprisoned for 20 years. In due time, he was released from prison because of his gift for interpreting dreams. The King of Egypt made Joseph second in command for interpreting his dream. This dream’s mystery held the salvation of all the people, including Joseph’s own family. Through what God did through Joseph, he was able to help Egypt save enough food to sustain them and all others who came to Egypt to purchase food during the famine.

During his trials, Joseph did not give up on God. He remained faithful in prayer, meditated on God’s word, and obeyed God’s commands. God, being faithful to His plan for Joseph, brought it to pass in due time. One thing we ought to learn from our trials is that the opposition is not against us but against the will of God that will be manifested in us. The enemy wages war against us to prevent us from fulfilling God’s will in our lives because the enemy knows that lives and generations are tied to God’s will coming to pass. There is a greater outcome for what God intends to do, and as a result, the enemy opposes it with all his force. But we know that God is greater, so with God, we always overcome the enemy, for God is greater, stronger, and mightier.

Temptations

¹² Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12

Temptations are negative oppositions that the enemy and our sinful flesh send our way to cause us to fall into sin and be separated from God. God allows temptations, but He always provides an escape for us so they do not overcome us (1 Corinthians 10:13). When tempted, it is the enemy luring our flesh to give in to an evil desire that does not please God. In that moment, we are faced with the question: will we choose God and deny our flesh, or will we give in to our flesh and deny God?

A person’s ability to overcome temptation is often reliant on the strength of their spirit. If the person’s spirit is in a committed and devoted relationship with God, the power of God’s word in the person will override the lures and deceits of the enemy, and the person will escape the temptation. However, if the person has been neglectful of their spirit and has just been feeding the flesh, there will be no strength to say no to temptation. Some may escape by divine intervention through someone praying for them as Jesus Christ did for Apostle Peter (Luke 22:31). Dear one soak yourself in God’s word, keep your heart committed to God, let your mind be stayed on the things of God at all times. By doing so, you remain in God’s presence at all times and His grace and power is manifested in you to live victoriously in Jesus Christ.

Example of temptation in the Bible (Matthew 4:1-11)

Then Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and nights, and the devil tempted him to turn stones into bread, to throw himself off the temple, and to worship him in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world. Each time, Jesus responded with scripture and the devil eventually left Him. After the temptations, angels came and ministered to Him.

Jesus Christ’s example of overcoming temptation clearly reveals the Word of God as the truth that nullifies all the power of deceits and deceptions of the enemy.

Overcoming trials, tests, and temptations may seem like a daunting task, but God has given us the Word of God, and His Holy Spirit to help us always overcome. The biblical teachings, deeply ingrained and pondered upon in the heart of a believer, act as a powerful tool, much like a sword wielded by the Spirit, empowering the believer overcome life’s tests, trials, and temptations. May the great grace and power of God be with you as you remain in Christ Jesus. Be blessed dear one.