Tempted

What is the difference between a temptation and a test? We know that God tests people (Hebrews 11:17) but does not tempt people (James 1:13). A good definition might be: A test is hard to do and aimed at increasing faith, while a temptation is easy to accept and is aimed at pleasure. 

Too often we fail to overcome the temptations in our lives because we place ourselves right where we shouldn’t be. A mother heard a noise in the kitchen and called to her young son, “Where are you?” He replied (while holding the cookie jar), “In the pantry.” She asked, “What are you doing in the pantry?” His response, “Trying to resist temptation.” The best way to resist the temptation is to stay out of the pantry.

In Genesis 39 we see that Joseph had to be in Potiphar’s house. He daily faced Potiphar’s wife and her tempting him. However, he had prepared for what he was facing. Joseph established the standards and convictions that he needed. He knew that God was blessing him. This reminds us of what is written in Ezra 7:9 – 10, “[T]he gracious hand of his God was on him. Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Ezra studied God’s Word, and he sought to obey what he studied. Joseph knew God’s teachings, and he determined to obey them.

You are familiar with 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.” I can personally attest to the fact that God is faithful to control the circumstances around what He allows in our lives. He sets the fences (Job 1:12; 2:6) around these temptations. The phrase “a way of escape” is one word in the Greek and means a place of safe landing. Not that we will escape temptation, but He has provided a place of landing on the other side for us. Sometimes we are forced (as Joseph) to endure the temptation. 

Joseph resisted the temptation, yet it still left him facing trouble. We may pay a price for standing strong, but God will honor it in His time – like Joseph.