February 6, 2014 - "Send Jesus to the Door"

Have you ever really thought about the HUGE difference between being tested and being tempted? Testing is usually called upon to prove something good...like do we believe what God is saying or how deep is our love of God. While being tempted desires to reveal a character flaw or a weakness contrary to the Spirit of the Lord. Temptation is a luring to submit to some issue of the flesh. Testing is one tool that God uses, but not temptation. There is an evil bent in temptation and we must learn to quickly discern the difference. Who is speaking and allowing things in our lives and can I tell the difference? Let's read some scripture this morning. That always helps me see clearly: James 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces ... because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ... for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ... Deuteronomy 13:3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet ... ... prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. ... Hebrews 3:8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion ... do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness ... Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left ... When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. ... James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." ... When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone ... 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it." I love this quotation by Billy Graham that helps to clearly give us some help when working through being tested or tempted because we will face BOTH and sometimes in the same day. Scripture tells us that God tempts no one. Temptation always comes from the devil. God will test us and allow us to endure the temptation, but the devil does the tempting. How do we overcome it? A little girl once told her method. "When the devil comes knocking at the door," she said, "I don't answer it. I send Jesus to the door." And that is exactly the way to take care of it. Send Jesus to the door! Billy Graham The Bible never promises that we will endure life with no periods of being tested or tempted. God uses various tests to prove certain things about either Himself or us, but He does know our limits and promises to never go beyond them. I don't know about you, but during some of those tests I was convinced that God must have a lot more faith and belief in me than I could ever have in myself. Thank you, Father, for knowing my limits and providing a method to endure. Remember this today - God may pass out the test, but Satan is offering the cheat sheet. Send Jesus to the door! PK