Keepers at Home-Overcoming Trials and Temptations
What is a trial?
A trial is an examination by testing. Biblically, it is a test of faith in which you experience trouble or adversity. Trouble is sometimes referred to as “tribulation” in the Bible. Adversity is similar to trouble, meaning an extremely unfavorable experience(s).
1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
What is temptation?
Temptation is the act of tempting or the state of being tempted especially to evil : enticement.
Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Psalm 66:10-12 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation. 2Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble. 3Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end. 4Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate. 5For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. 6Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him. 7Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall. 8Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail. 9Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy. 10Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him? 11For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.
James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Luke 4:1-13 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
Examples of our forefathers and foremothers being tried
Yahawashi-tempted by Satan to command stones to be made bread, for Yahawashi to bow down and worship him and to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple. Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13.
Abraham-The Most High asked that he sacrifice his son. Genesis 22:1-19
Noah-Being a laughing stock and ridiculed of men. Genesis Chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Daniel-He was thrown in the lion's den for not serving another god. Daniel 6:1-16
Ananias, Azariah, Misael (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) thrown in a fiery furnace-Daniel 3:1-30, The Prayer of Azariah
Eleazer-Was asked to pretend to eat unclean(pig/pork/swine) meat so that others may partake and sin against The Most High. 2Maccabees 6:1-31
Job-His sons and daughters were killed, he had sores on his skin, his substance was taken from him and was told to curse The Most High. The book of Job
Susanna-Was accused of adultery. The book of Susanna
The mother and her seven sons- who would not defile themselves with swine's flesh. 2Maccabees 7:1-42
Jochebed-When an edict was given to kill all male children, she endured labour and hid Moses and placed him in a basket to preserve his life. Exodus 1:1-22, Exodus 2:1-25
The midwives Shiprah and Puah-They were resilient in the face of adversity and did not help Pharaoh in the killing of Israelite male children and made their beliefs known unto him. Exodus 1:1-22
Hannah-Was barren and taunted by her husband's second wife. 1Samuel 1:1-28
Elizabeth-Was Barren and conceived seed in her old age. Luke 1:1-80
