Worldly Evil and Temptations Are Not of God
Some people want to blame God for the death, destruction and chaos that is in this world. Satan’s lie has permeated this whole world and every society, having people believe God is unkind and that He is responsible for the death of their love ones or the trouble they suffer. People are blaming God and accusing Him of being heartless and hard to mankind while tempting them and putting them through all these hard times. They believe God is responsible for the sickness, death, hate and wars that we are experiencing.
James 1:13-15 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. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
God does not tempt mankind with evil enticements, that is from Satan and man’s own carnal desires. God and all the spiritual principalities and powers are in observation of these temptations and trials that we go through. It is in these situations we will display our true thoughts and beliefs and that will be a witness to where our true faith lies. Satan is constantly looking for ways to deceive mankind and to try and turn their hearts away from God. Many people will believe his lies that God is punishing them or tempting them because they lack an understanding of who God is and His word. Jesus took on all punishment for those who will receive and believe in Him by faith and that God’s love for us has provided the grace, mercy and forgiveness we needed.
God did not create this world of disease, death and devastation. He created a perfect world that reflected His glory, love and peace and gave all power and authority to mankind, to rule and reign over all the earth. But a thief, murderer and deceiver and the father of lies came with death and destruction and usurped this authority away from mankind. Satan became the dark prince of this world bringing with him death, destruction and hate, trying to destroy God’s crowning creation, mankind by keeping them in darkness. Satan attacks the things that glorifyGod in the earth.
John 10:10-11 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
This world is in a fallen state that is rooted in darkness, sin and destruction and we will constantly face trouble, difficulties and challenges as we live this life. There is a spirit realm that we cannot see but we participate in it and we are part of both the natural and spiritual world. We should learn how to operate and navigate in both realms if we are to live successfully, that is for God’s glory here on the earth.
Satan invaded the spirit realm with darkness when he rebelled against God and when he deceived and took a third of the fallen angels with him. This is the same thing he has been doing since the beginning, tempting mankind in the garden and Christ in the wilderness, because that is what he does. We can stand firm,just as Christ did, when we use the weapons of warfare that God has given us, the word of God is a sword that is able to divide truth and lies. It is the word of that sets us free, but it is the truth that we know and that has been established in our hearts that keeps us free.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 or though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
We are told that there will be a time of testing of our faith to see if we truly trust in God with our actions which is to obey His word. We must change our perspective and the way we think about the trials we go through. We are told not to think that our problems are peculiar or as though something strange is happening to us, because it is not, they are just life experiences. However, it is how we go through these hard times that will show our true belief and where our faith lies.
1 Peter 4: 12-14 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 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. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
We are not to view these problems as something out of the ordinary, because life on this earth is full of problems but we are to rejoice in knowing God has provided for us in every situation. Though the world and the enemy may attack us because we are His children but when we prevail and come out victorious God’s glory is reflected.
God in His mercy has provided a way of escape from every temptation we are faced with, but the key is seeking His way out and not just falling into hopelessness and despair.
James 1:12 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.
The hurt and the trauma we go through will either make us bitter or better, then we will either seek God or blame Him. Our lives will either transmit the hurt we have experienced or we will be transformed by them through the love and forgiveness of God. As one person put it, “life is like a business. It’s 20 percent what happens to you, and 80 percent how you respond.” We are told to pray and to respond in love and forgiveness.
Integrity- People of God 