Testing and Temptation

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Testing and Temptation

Testing and Temptation

Introduction

In the Bible we read stories in both the Old an

&s we shall see, trials, testing and temptation

&s a matter of clarification, the word -test in

The Origin of Testing and Temptation

5e find the origins of testing and temptation

“Now the serpent was more subtle an

5e can see from $ust these few verses of !cri

1. The command of God, not to eat of th 2. The command, which was intended to

“And the very legal ordinance which was des

#aul was describing the commandmen

3. The temptation of 2ve in the Garden w

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The good news is that we %now from !criptu

“Since therefore [these 5is] children share

!atan still holds the power of death ov

4. The temptation for 2ve was to gain w

5. isobedience of God;s command also

“or 6 do not understand my own actions [6 a

There is a battle that goes on in our m

Testing

The first thing that we discover about testing

Purpose and Objectives

!cripture says that the ord tests both our hea

0And you shall [earnestly] remember

The ob$ective of testing is found a few verses

& simple example of testing to expose a hear

ord rebu%ed )ee%iah through the prophet I

& second example of testing, only this time w

The ob$ective of this testing was to teach the

could rest on the !abbath and %eep it holy, ye

The ob$ective of most testing is to ta%e us to a

Abraham’s Faith

In >hapter 66 of the Boo% of Genesis is foun

“After these events God tested and pr

The very first 'uestion that comes to mind is,

2ven though God would never have let &brahcourse, &braham passed the test.

The purpose of this was to test &braham;s ob


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“7as not our forefather Abraham [sh

In the above !cripture, 0ames is describing th

Notice that there was a progression in the tes

action, righteousness was credited to him. Th

Our testing today will be very similar to that

our $ob, our children or even our own spouse

Teaching us Warfare

!ometimes the ord will test us with the ob$e

“Now these are the nations which the

The nations who were left would prove to be

:esisting these nations, especially spiritually

5arfare in the Bible begins in the Boo% of Ge

0ust li%e a modern(day soldier, we need traini

“%ut solid food is for full4grown men

The practice *testing+ provides us the opportu

In the Garden of 2den, we gained the %nowle

The significance of this testing and the eventu

• 2phesus ( there was an attempted infi

• !myrna ( 0ews from the !ynagogue o

• #ergamos ( they were persecuted by th

• Thyatira ? a self(proclaimed prophete

• !ardis ? they were overcome by super

• #hiladelphia ? was persecuted to the p

• aodicea ? was overcome by wealth.

0esus directly rebu%ed five of the churches anThere are always going to be conflicts and wa

These same things are coming at us today4 fa

homophobic and void of >hristian love. :eg


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Teaching about False Prophets

!ometimes the ord gives us the lesson first a

“6f a prophet arises among you or a d

In this !cripture, the ord is clearly spelling o

The office of prophet is Biblical *7>or 7646=,

!cripture says that the gifts and the calling ar

Balaam eventually led the Israelites into idola

“And hrist today are so

&s #aul wrote to the Thessalonians, “?o not

Ministering to Others

uch li%e discipline, testing can be an unplea

“Simon Simon '@eter- listenB Satan !atan wanted to sift the disciples *much as he

There is no doubt that #eter loved 0esus *0ohn

“7ho comforts 'consoles and encoura

Trials or testing of this sort have a twofold be

That is why sometimes the most effective mi

evangelier of the Gentiles. #aul, in turn, suf

Often times in ministry or in fellowship with

Temptation

Knli%e testing, temptation is not of the ord.


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Purpose and Objectives

:evisiting the first temptation, we can find th

“Now the serpent was more subtle an

!atan was trying to get 2ve to doubt God;s w

&lthough 2ve answered !atan;s 'uestion corr

2ve too% the bait. “And when the woman saw

5e see the general purpose and ob$ective of t

not your thoughts neither are your ways


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“%ut every person is tempted when he

&t the root of this is an incorrect or unsubmit

Outwardly, we can seemingly be free of sin, b

A Mind Game

Initially, we are tempted when an incorrect th

at providing triggers to inappropriate thought

:egardless of the source, what we do with th

!ubmitting thoughts to God *ta%ing thoughts

0ames said in a similar fashion, “Submit your

On the other hand, if we dwell on the inappro

1. 5hen we dwell on an inappropriate th2. If we do not stop dwelling on the thou3. Next, the evil desire gives birth to a p

4. 3inally, we act on the plan and

&ll the above four steps can occur in a matteourselves in our minds, we have started down

Our Mindset There is another serious problem with comba

“?o not conform any longer to the pa

#aul is saying that our mindset needs to be ch

It is instructive to review $ust how our minds

Therefore, it would seem that the serpent, !at

5hen we understand what happened with !a2e%iel initially described !atan as, “full of w

and reason.

#aul was concerned about this type of reason

Getting 2ve to reason apart from God is what


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!cripture then records that 2ve -saw that the

that we have in the armor of God is the sword

Not all wisdom described in the Bible is desi

increases $no%ledge increases sorro%

In the Garden of 2den, God gave &dam and 2

#eter is another good example of reasoning a

“%ut turning around [5is bac& to @et

There is no doubt that #eter loved 0esus with

&s a result, !atan could try to tempt 0esus by

By contrast, &braham;s reasoning concerning

“or he reasoned that God was able t

Therefore, &braham put Isaac on the altar acc

5hen as%ed about the greatest commandmen

i%e #eter, &braham loved the ord with all h

Abraham’s Worldly Mindset

• The ord told &bram in a vision

that he would have his own son*Gen 7@4H+

• &bram believed the ord *Gen

7@48+

• &fter 7D years, Abram reasoned

that God needed help in this

matter and Ishmael was conceived

by )agar, !ari;s maidservant *Gen7847(H+

• Ishmael, the result of &bram;sworldly mindset, symbolied bondage, children of the flesh

*Gal H46H+

2ven today, the worldly mindset will persecu

Worldl# Thin$ing


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#aul told the :omans that, “;hose who live a

This is how otherwise Godly men and women

any man(made traditions, such as >hristma

honoring the god !aturn, the winter solstice hand void of a !criptural basis.

Let because of the worldly mindset of many wGod is a $ealous GodA )e is not about to share

0ust as #eter was a snare or stumbling bloc% t

It should be noted that this is typically not an

On a personal level, a worldly mindset can le

“And to Adam 5e said &ecause #ou

&lthough &dam was not deceived, he sinned

worldly ? they thin% it is Godly.

Distinguishing between Testing and Te

&s we have seen, one of the %ey differences b

The 'oice of God

There are two important lessons in &braham;

“5e said to them %ut who do you [yo

0esus was saying that #eter was blessed becau

If we do not %now God;s voice or are unsure

The point is that our ability to hear from God

!econd, we have an advantage that &braham

“Hvery Scripture is God4breathed 'giv

5e can and should test every word or though

5ords or thoughts that we receive can be test


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“And if you say in your [minds and] h

If a thought comes to mind or a word given to

The exception to the above is when a true wo

The focus of our thoughts can also assist in o

in all things.

The importance of %nowing God;s voice in ou

(esisting Temptation

There are three main components to a test or

!ometimes the %ey to resisting temptation is t

&s an example, #aul directed the >orinthian b

“%ut now 6 write to you not to associa

These weren;t $ust sinners *as we all are+, but

The reason for the strong admonition is that twithin a fellowship and cause others to sin in

The whole point of #aul;s directive to the >o Other times we have no choice but to wal% th

that we have no choice except to wal% throug

&lthough strategies for successfully dealing w

have potentially opened a dialogue with the d

The $irst and %ast Adam

5e understand the fullness of the importance Both the first and last &dam were tempted an

$irst Adam

Tempted through 2ve ? the person

closest to &dam


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!atan lied4 "ou shall not surely die *Gen


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!ome of the believers at !myrna were predominantly uslim countries.

2. Testing can e)pose a lac! of commit

“And those upon the roc& [aratthew and ar% contain similar ac

This parable describes a person who h

3. We are not to test or tempt God*

and warning to us]C they were written )owever, there is one exception to testing G

obedienceJ

Warnings on *pecific Temptations

The Bible lists some specific traps that we ar

1. Improper use of the marriage bed c

2. Gently and humbly correct others i

its victim. !atan is always on the loo%

3. Those who aspire to wealth are espe

+o% The Good +e%s 3inally, the good news. The Bible holds man

3irst and foremost, we are able to overcome a

“or no temptation 'no trial regarded

place- that you may be capable and s

#aul was saying three things. 3irst, we will n

2ven better news is that we are to consider it

“!onsider it wholly 8oyful my brethre

On the surface, this seems contrary to what w

The answer lies at the end of the test, trial or

“["ou should] be e:ceedingly glad on

0ust li%e discipline, testing and temptation ma


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,ompletion

The last 'uestion to be as%ed is why do we ne

The answer lies in the experiences of 0esus as

“;hough he were a Son yet learned h

&ccording to StrongFs !oncordance, the word

martyred. The long(term goal of all the testin

http://www.discipleshipdened.com/resources/temptation-and-testing

Temptation and Testing

+ &orinthians +,-+.

&nd God is faithfulA he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are

tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

What is Temptation#

-Tempt means -test in an unrestricted sense. It is only since the 79th century that the word;s

connotation has been limited to testing with evil intent. The biblical idea of temptation is not

primarily of seduction, as in modern usage, but of ma%ing trial of a person, or putting him to the

testA which may be done for4

7. The benevolent purpose of proving or improving their 'uality *usually prove or try is a

metaphor from metal refining+.

6. The malicious aim of showing up his wea%nesses or trapping him into wrong action.

/ow and Why does God Test &hristians#

God tests )is people by putting them in situations that reveal the 'uality and sincerity of theirfaith and devotion, so that all can see what is in their hearts.7 God allows the trial to be )is

method of purifying the believer as metal is purified in the refiner;s crucible.6 )e strengthens

their patience, matures their >hristian character and )e leads them into an enhanced assurance of )is love for them. Through faithfulness in times of trial men become -approved in God;s sight.<

/ow and Why Does atan Test &hristians#

!atan tests God;s people by manipulating circumstances, within the limits that God allows him,

in an attempt to ma%e them desert God;s will.H >hristians must constantly be watchful and activeagainst the devil, for he is always at wor% trying to ma%e us fall.@ There are four main schemes

that !atan uses to succeed in the destruction of >hristians4

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7. )e tries to crush us under the weight of hardship or pain. 8

6. )e tries to urge us toward a wrong fulfillment of natural desires. 9


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God never tempts anyone to do evil,7= but )e controls the circumstances of our lives. >hrist

taught )is disciples to as% God not to expose them to temptation,7C and to watch and pray, lest

they should -enter into temptation *yield to its pressure+ when at any time God saw fit to trythem by it.6D 5e must live in the fact that it is not only our resolve but also God;s grace that

allows us to pursue holiness.

Ta!e 5adical teps 3ot to in

In ar% C4Hhrist.

Application 6uestions

7. 5hat are three ways that you are tempted"

6. 5hat does the Bible say about those temptations"


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6. #salm 8847DA Isaiah H=47DA 7 #eter 748

orinthians 7747CA 7 #eter @47D

H. 0ob 7476, 648A 7 >orinthians 7D47<

@. ar% 7H4orinthians 6477A 2phesians 847DA 0ames H49A 7 #eter @4C

8. 0ob 7477(649A 7 #eter @4CA :evelation 647DA )ebrews 647=

9. atthew H4orinthians 94@

=. Galatians 847A 2phesians H469

C. Genesis orinthians 774


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An e:ample of a simple direct contradiction that does not involve figures or numbers occurs in

=ames *)*( which says that God tempts no man while Genesis DD)* says God tempted

Abraham. Jn page *, of So the %ible is ull of !ontradictions =ohnson says in this regard Anunderstanding of the meaning of the word temptM will dispel the seeming contradiction. ;his

word is used in a good sense and in a bad sense. 7hen itMs used in a good sense it means to test

to try to prove. God tested Abraham.... 7hen the word temptM is used in a bad sense it means toentice a person to do evil. God never tempts man to sin.M ;wo ma8or fallacies are immediately

evident in this rationale. irst there is nothing in the %ible that would 8ustify such a distinction

and there is no compelling reason to ma&e it. Second if God never tempts man to sin then whyis God entreated to lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil in


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direct agent in a mans temptationsA )e will not cause ones favorite vice to appear before ones

eyes so as to induce sin in the man. On the other hand, as God is omniscient and ruler over all,

everything that happens in the universe is %nown and seen by him. *I am anthropomorphiinghere.+

5hen a man sins, surely God could step in and prevent it, couldnt he" In essence, every sin isallowed by God in the fashion $ust described. I have always understood the petition *in both

s%eptical and post(s%eptical days+ in a passive sense (( in )is divine mercy may )e not allow usto fall into situations where our wea% nature will succumb to sin. To press it against 0ames 747<

as our sub$ect does is to ma%e various texts clash when we here have a reasonable solution which

ma%es the various texts go together.

5hen our !%eptic also cites eut H4


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Trial' Test or Temptation# :Matthew ;<

5ritten on November 7H, 6D77 by admin in evotional #ost

In atthew H we read that following his baptism, 0esus was led by the !pirit into the wildernessto be tempted by the devil. Let how can that be" The Bible tells us, -5hen tempted, no one

should say, God is tempting me. 3or God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyoneA

P *0ames 747


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5hatever trials, tests or temptations you experience this wee%, remember that 0esus was tempted

in every point $ust as we are yet he was without sin. *)ebrews H47@+ -To this you were called,

because >hrist suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

http://www.acts17-11.com/tempt.html

Temptation

Rev 1!:" #$%&' The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the

devil( or )atan( who leads the whole world astray...

at 847< *#hi+ /eep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil.

at 684H7 *NI1+ 5atch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing,

but the body is wea%.

When Bad Things Happen

The )criptures speak of three kinds of *trouble* for the believer: 1' +iscipline(

,udgment( or rebuke from the ord !' tests( trials( persecutions( suering and '

temptations or attacks from )atan. )o when trouble comes( what tpe is it2 %s this

3od directl moving to correct me( or is this the promised persecution for following

4hrist( or have we allowed )atan access into our lives2 5hich kinds of trouble can

be avoided2 5hich can6t2

STUDY 3: Temptations or Attacks of Satan

The Adversary

0ob 64H(9,C(7D *NI1+ ... !atan replied, ...But stretch out your hand and stri%e his flesh and

bones, and he will surely curse you to your face. The ord said to !atan, 1ery well, then, he is

in your handsA but you must spare his life. !o !atan went out from the presence of the ord and

afflicted 0ob with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head... )is wife said to

him, &re you still holding on to your integrity" >urse God and dieJ )e replied, Lou are

tal%ing li%e a foolish woman. !hall we accept the good from God, and not trouble" In all this,

0ob did not sin in what he said.

Do Not Defend Yorse!f

at @46@(68 *NI1+ !ettle matters 'uic%ly with your adversary who is ta%ing you to court. o it

while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the $udge, and the $udge may

hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not

get out until you have paid the last penny.

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7 Tim 747@(78 *NI1+ )ere is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance4 >hrist 0esus

came into the world to save sinners((of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was

shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners >hrist 0esus might display his unlimited

patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

The "!esh #s Weak

7 Thes or 6477 *NI1+ ...in order that !atan might not outwit us. 3or we are not unaware of his

schemes.

swald 4hambers: *8 man6s disposition on the inside( i.e.( what he possesses in

his personalit( determines what he is tempted b on the outside. The temptation

ts the nature of the one tempted( and reveals the possibilities of that nature. 9ver

man has the setting of this own temptation( and the temptation will come along theline of the ruling disposition. Temptation ielded to... is a proof that it was timidit

that prevented the sin before.*

Temptation $%$

7 0n @47= *NI1+ 5e %now that anyone born of God does not continue to sinA the one who was

born of God %eeps him safe, and the evil one does not touch him.

0ames 747ation of the highest at which % aim--

not at what % understand as evil( but towards what % understand as good... ;8t this

point )atan< does not come along the line of tempting us to sin( but on the line of

shifting the point of view( and onl the )pirit of 3od can reveal this as a temptation

of the devil.*

The Tempter& And The 'ne Who Beat Him

at H47 *NI1+ Then 0esus was led by the !pirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

)eb 647= *#hi+ By virtue of his own suffering under temptation he is able to help those who are

e:posed to temptation.


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4.). ewis: *$o man knows how bad he is till he has tried ver hard to be good. 8

sill idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an

obvious lie. nl those who tr to resist temptation know how strong it is. 8fter all(

ou nd out the strength of the 3erman arm b ghting against it( not b giving in.

?ou nd out the strength of a wind b tring to walk against it( not b ling down. 8

man who gives in to temptation after ve minutes simpl does not know what itwould have been like an hour later. That is wh bad people( in one sense( know ver

little about badness. The have lived a sheltered life b alwas giving in. 5e never

nd out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we tr to ght it: and 4hrist(

because he was the onl man who never ielded to temptation( is also the onl man

who knows to the full what temptation means--the onl complete realist.*

'r High (riest& 'r Defense Attorney Against The Accser

)eb H47@(78 *#hi+ 3or ours is no )igh #riest who cannot sympathie with our wea%nesses((he

himself has shared fully in all our experience of temptation, except that he never sinned. et us

therefore approach the throne of grace with fullest confidence, that we may receive mercy for our

failures and grace to help in the hour of need.

"ight The )ood "ight

)eb 764H *NI1+ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding

your blood.

... %n fact( most of us have not even made an honest attempt at resisting

temptation. 5e cave in immediatel without much of a ght. *5ell( %6ll @uit doing

that neAt week.* *5h struggle now when % know % am going to do it again anwa2*

*%t is ,ust a matter of time( and now is as good a time as an.* =ut temptation feeds

on weakness and bent desires. 5e need to start struggling to see what holiness isall about( to see if we will like it in eternit with 3od. 5e will also see ,ust how

strong we are and what we are made of.

Spirita! Wimps

ne of the things that makes us cave in to temptation so earl is that we often

have the sense that we are going to fail anwa( so wh even put up a struggle2 =ut

are we so sure of this2 +idn6t the problem of last ear or last month strike us with

the same despair2 8nd et with 3od it was possible.

)piritual growth seems so impossible in the moment( and so eas in retrospect.

5e need to remember how unlikel it seemed we would ever: profess 4hrist(

pra in public( witness( and all of the other steps along the wa( as we face the

temptation to give up now. 8fter all( this too will pass. 5e can( and will make it b

the grace of 3od. 8nd 3od has given us Bis word...

1 4or 10:1 #T9=' 9ver temptation that has come our wa is the kind that

normall comes to people. =ut 3od keeps his promise( and he will not allow ou to


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be tempted beond our power to resist at the time ou are tempted he will give

ou the strength to endure it( and so provide ou with a wa out.

'n )ard

Gal 847 *#hi+ 2ven if a man is detected in some sin, my brothers, the spiritual ones among you

should 'uietly set him bac% on the right path, not with any feeling of superiority but beingyourselves on guard against temptation.

#rov 7847= *NI1+ @ride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Don*t (!ace Yorse!ves #n Dangeros Territory Un!ess )od #s With Yo+

7 >or 94@ *#hi+ ETo marriedF o not cheat each other of normal sexual intercourse... or you will

e:pose yourselves to the obvious temptation of !atan.

2ph H468b(69 *NI1+ o not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the

devil a foothold.

7 Tim 84C *NI1+ #eople who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many

foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Yo Are Not A!one

7 #et @4=(7D *#hi+ Be self(controlled and vigilant always, for your enemy the devil is always

about, prowling li%e a lion roaring for its prey. 1esist him standing firm in your faith,

remembering that the strain is the same for all your fellow(>hristians in other parts of the world.

&nd after you have born these sufferings a very little while, the God of all grace, who has called

you to share his eternal splendor through >hrist, will himself ma%e you whole and secure and strong.

Attacks 'f Satan

an 8478(79 *NI1+ !o the %ing gave the order, and they brought aniel and threw him into the

lions den. The %ing said to aniel, ay your God, whom you serve continually, rescue youJ &

stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the %ing sealed it with his own

signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that aniels situation might not be changed.

swald 4hambers: *5e have the idea that we ought to shield ourselves from

some of the things 3od brings round about us. $everC 3od engineers circumstancesand whatever the ma be like we have to see that we face them while abiding

continuall with Bim... The are... temptations to the life of the )on of 3od in us.

The honor of Desus 4hrist is at stake in our bodil life.*

an 847C(66 *NI1+ &t the first light of dawn, the %ing got up and hurried to the lions den. 5hen

he came near the den, he called to aniel in an anguished voice, aniel, servant of the living

God, has your God, whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions" aniel


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answered, ...y God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me,

because I was found innocent in his sight...

an 846or H47D *NI1+ 5e always carry around in our body the death of 0esus, so that the life of 0esus

may also be revealed in our body.

:om =47< *N&!+ ... If by the !pirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, then you will

live.

,an*t Toch This---

7 0n @47= *#hi+ 5e %now that the true child of God does not sin, he is in the charge of Gods own

!on and the evil one cannot touch him.

Gal @478(79 *0er+ et me put it li%e this4 if you are guided by the !pirit you will be in no danger

of yielding to self(indulgence, since self(indulgence is the opposite of the !pirit, the !pirit is

totally against such a thing...

0ames H49 *NI1+ !ubmit yourselves, then, to God. 1esist the devil and he will flee from you.


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The Day #s ,oming

2ph 847D,7< *#hi+ In conclusion be strong((not in yourselves but in the ord, in the power of his

boundless strength. #ut on Gods complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devils

craftiness... that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have

fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground.

6 Tim H47= *NI1+ The ord will rescue me from every evil attac%...

at 847< *NI1+ &nd lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

When Tro.!e ,omes& What /ind #s #t0

+%)4%H%$9 T9)T/TR%8 T9FHT8T%$

IRF The ord 3od( 5orld( )atan The +evil

R9)T I +isobedience Iollowing 3od Hride or 9Aposure

B5 T +%)49R$ Iits 4rime Hroves Iaith eads 8stra

R%3BT R9)H$)9 RepentC Hersevere ResistC

+ $T Fake ight of )hrink =ack Iall into

3+ %) )8?%$3 5e are )ons Bis $ame is in s The Ilesh is 5eak

9$+) 5%TB Iear and Boliness +eath and 3lor )in or &ictor

7 >or 7D47< *NI1+ No temptation has seied you except what is common to man. &nd God is

faithfulA he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he

will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it

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Testing and Temptation