Constantlyreforming
Puritan Board Sophomore
I was having a discussion with a close Christian friend at church this past Sunday. He asked me what the difference was between James where he states that God does not tempt any man, and where Christ prayed “lead us not into temptation”. My comment back to him was a follow up question. I asked him “who led Christ into the wilderness in order to be tempted?”.
I do not believe that God will tempt anyone directly. I do believe, however, that God will put us in the minefields of temptation; sometimes to strengthen our faith. Other times, to test our faith. And still other times to cause us to cast ourselves upon the throne of Grace, seeking power from His Spirit to pull us through.
Any thoughts on this? I do think we should pray that God not lead us into a season of temptation, yet, we should also mimic Christ’s prayer to the Father, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” In praying “give us this day our daily bread”, we do not necessarily receive anything from God for praying this prayer, as it may be His will to withhold our daily bread to cause us to cast ourselves at His mercy. When we ask Him to deliver us from evil, it doesn’t mean that He necessarily will; He may let us be victim to the evil one for a time, testing our patience and faith as we are afflicted by the hand of God through Satan’s works.
Love to have some discussion on this.
In Christ,
Ethan
I do not believe that God will tempt anyone directly. I do believe, however, that God will put us in the minefields of temptation; sometimes to strengthen our faith. Other times, to test our faith. And still other times to cause us to cast ourselves upon the throne of Grace, seeking power from His Spirit to pull us through.
Any thoughts on this? I do think we should pray that God not lead us into a season of temptation, yet, we should also mimic Christ’s prayer to the Father, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” In praying “give us this day our daily bread”, we do not necessarily receive anything from God for praying this prayer, as it may be His will to withhold our daily bread to cause us to cast ourselves at His mercy. When we ask Him to deliver us from evil, it doesn’t mean that He necessarily will; He may let us be victim to the evil one for a time, testing our patience and faith as we are afflicted by the hand of God through Satan’s works.
Love to have some discussion on this.
In Christ,
Ethan