Trials and Tribulations

A subject that causes discouragement and anxiety to most believers.

Why do we have them, where do they come from, what is the answer? Nobody is exempt from them, great and small, young and old, believers and unbelievers. suffer alike.

Where do they come from? There are two sources mainly.

1. Demonic activity and attacks upon us.

2. Human behaviour.

Christian lives are not trouble free but subject to trouble from Satan-1Pet.5:8.

Job's troubles show us how Satan can afflict believers, but this is not always evident-Job 1:6-12. We also notice that God allows sometimes tribulation in our lives. Satan can go so far, by God' permission. Here are some reasons why God permits troubles in our lives:-

a. As a test of faith-1 Pet.1:6-7.

b. As a test of faith, but chastisement is not punitive but remedial and corrective Ps.119:67.

c. As a purifier of faith, a developer of Christian character Job 23:10.

d. That we may be privileged to obtain eternal rewards- James 1:12.Here on this earth we live in enemy land, Satan hates us and is out to destroy us and the Church, We are caught in the middle of the battle, but God is able to deliver us and protect us. We are asked therefore to  STAND and put on God's protection He provided for us. This is our responsibility-Eph.6:13.

There are times when we feel weary and tempted to think God has abandoned us. We feel like giving up but God encourages us- Is.40:27-40.

Temptation (Pt2)

2. Temptation from the devil.

The devil works hard to tempt us to sin, but God tests us.

Jesus faced the devil and gave us the strategy as an example to follow. God can lead us to the place of temptation.

Jesus went full of the Holy Spirit (prepared). Satan used Scripture, but God rebuked him with Scripture. There are 3 points to remember, or 3 Temptations:

1. If you are the Son of God, command these.....

The devil cast doubt on the Sonship. He will do the same on our faith. He puts doubt on the Word of God. He is the father of lies. Eve listened to him, the result was death. It was an innocent suggestion, after 40 days of fast. It meant Jesus misusing His power on Himself, like magic. Most of our needs look innocent!

2.If you worship me.....all these.....

Both God and Satan ask for worship, but for very different reasons. We worship God for who He is and for what He has done for us. Satan wants to enslave us. The kingdoms do not belong to him. He usurped them. Again he lied, all these- Ps.24:1

If you are throw yourself.....

Satan tempts us to take a risk, God tests us to see if we are faithful. There are times when we need to take a risk, all in the will of God. Satan whispers in our ear, 'don't be so hot on your faith, you are praying too much, you have the Holy Spirit.......etc. Jesus overcame as a man. We have the victory because of that-Heb.4:14-16.

How do we deal with the devil effectively? -James 4:7.

The devil left defeated and Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (Victorious)

Temptation

What does it mean? From the Greek text: to try, to experiment, to test. It is the cause for anxiety to most believers. Everybody is tempted, nobody is exempt, even the Lord Jesus when He was on this earth.

How do we deal with Temptation?  We are tempted in various ways and at various times. If we know where it comes from we can deal with it more effectively.

 There are two sources of Temptation.

1. From our own desires (flesh)

2. From the devil

1. God is not the Author of Temptation. He tests for a good reason, but the devil tempts us to commit sin James 1:12-15.

There are three areas where Temptation takes place- 1 John 2:15-17.

The lust of the eye Gen.3.4-6. Things we see, these affect our minds. Eve saw the fruit and the moment she was persuaded that it was harmless and good for food, the battle was won for the devil. Do not get into a conversation with the devil-rebuke him.

The lust of the flesh Gal.5:16-24. The desires that come from our sinful nature, They are expressed through the members of our bodies. Jesus said, 'If your eye offends you.....' It is better to enter Heaven at a loss than to be left out.

The pride of Life Pro.16:18. 'God knows the proud afar off'.' Pride brought  Lucifer down. The pharisee

in the Parable of Luke 18 considered himself above all other people. Pride brought Saul the king to a

sad end. There is no room for pride in any believer's heart, cast it out. Pro.16:18.

The effective way to tackle temptation Gal.5:16.