1. TRIALS & TESTS ARE TO BE EXPECTED:

Psa.34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all
Acts 14:22 – We must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom
1Cor.10:13a – No temptation taken you but such as is common to man
1Thes.3:3 – No man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto
Heb.12:7 – What son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
1Pet.4:12 – Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try (test) you
1Pet.4:17 – Judgment must begin at the house of God…at us
1Pet.5:9 – Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren
(See also Psa.26:2; 139:23,24.)

2. TRIALS OFTEN RESULT WHEN THINGS DON’T GO OUR WAY:

Jam.4:2 – Ye lust, & have not…desire to have, & cannot obtain

A. Often God will grant your heart’s desire:

Psa.37:4 – Delight thyself in the Lord; & He shall give thee the desires of thine heart
Psa.84:11 – No good thing will He withhold from them (the upright) Psa.145:19a He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him
Pro.10:24b – The desire of the righteous shall be granted
(See also Psa.21:2; 145:16.)

B. But sometimes He withholds it because it’s not His time:

Eccl.3:1-8 – There is…a time to every purpose under the heaven
(See also Psa.37:34; Eccl.8:5,6.)

C. Or because it would choke out your fruitfulness:

Mk.4:7,19 – The lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, & it becometh unfruitful (See Mat.13:22; Lk.8:14.)

D. Or seriously stumble or offend others:

1Thes.5:22 – Abstain [even] from all appearance of evil
Rom.14:14-16, 21 – Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died (See also 1Cor.8:8-13)

E. Or bring reproach on the Lord’s work or ministry:

2Sam.12:14 – By this deed [murdering Uriah] thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme
2Cor.6:3 – Giving no offence…that the ministry be not blamed
(See also 2Pet.2:2)

F. Or because of unrepented sin in your heart:

Jer.5:25 – Your iniquities have turned away these things, & your sins have withholden good things from you
(See also Psa.66:18; Isa.59:1,2.)

G. Or because you’re asking with the wrong motives:

Jam.4:2,3 – Ye ask & receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts

H. It’s not always good to get the desire of your heart:

Psa.73:3,7,16-22 – I was envious at…prosperity…they have more than heart could wish…then understood I their end
1Tim.6:9,10 – They that will(desire to) be rich fall into temptation…& many hurtful lusts…erred from the faith

I. You may miss something better God had planned for you:

Psa.81:10-13,16 – He would have fed them the finest of wheat…honey

J. Nonetheless, we have trials when we can’t have something:

1Sam.1:6b-8, 10 – The Lord had shut up her womb…therefore she wept… heart grieved…bitterness of soul
Pro.13:12a – Hope deferred maketh the heart sick
(See also 2Sam.13:1,2)

K. Warning against stubbornly insisting on getting your way:

Psa.78:27-31 – He gave them their own desire…their lust. But…the wrath of God came (See also Psa.81:12)
Psa.106:14,15 – He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul (See also Num.11:4-34)
(See 1Sam.8:4-22; 12:1,13,16-19 – re: asking for a king)

L. What you give up for the Lord, He will often return:

Gen.22:1-12 – [God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, then stops him & lets him keep Isaac] (See also Heb.11:17-19)
Heb.6:15 – After he patiently endured, he obtained the promise
(See also Eccl.11:1; Heb.10:36.)

3. WHY THE LORD ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE TRIALS & TESTS:

A. To draw you closer to Him:

Psa.107:12,13 – He brought down their heart with labour… then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble

B. To see what’s in your heart & if you will remain true:

Exo.20:20 – God is come to prove (test) you
Deut.8:2 – The Lord…[tested you] to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments
Deut.13:3,4 – God…proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord
Judg.2:21,22 – [God kept adversaries in the land to] prove Israel, whether they keep the way of the Lord, or not
Jer.12:3a – Thou knowest me…Thou hast…tried my heart
Jer.17:10 – I the Lord search the heart…to give every man according to his ways, &…the fruit of his doings
Jn.6:5,6 – This He said to prove (test) him, for He Himself knew

C. To draw you closer to His Word:

Psa.94:12 – Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord, & teachest him out of Thy law
Psa.119:71 – It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes

D. To prune away dead wood so you can be more fruitful:

Jn.15:2b – Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth(prunes), that it may bring forth more fruit

E. To teach you obedience:

Heb.5:8 – Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered (See also Heb.2:10)
1Pet.4:1,2 – He that…suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin

F. To make you a better & more useful vessel:

Jer.18:4 – The vessel that he (the potter) made of clay was marred…so he made it again another vessel
1Cor.5:7 – Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump
2Tim.2:21 – [If purged]…he shall be a vessel…meet for the Master’s use, & prepared unto every good work

G. To purify you as precious metal is refined:

Mal.3:3 – He shall sit as a refiner & purifier of silver
Zech.13:9a – I will bring [them] through the fire, & refine them
Psa.66:10 – Thou, O God, hast…tried us, as silver is tried
Job 23:10 – When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold
Pro.17:3 – The fining pot is for silver, & the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts
Isa.48:10 – I have refined thee…in the furnace of affliction
Dan.11:35 – [They] shall fall, to try them…& to make them white
1Pet.1:7 – The trial of your faith (is) much more precious than gold…though it be tried with fire
(See also Isa.1:25)

H. To prepare you for future blessings & exalted ministries:

Deut.8:16 – That He might humble thee…& prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end
Psa.105:17-22 – [Joseph imprisoned, abased & tested, then exalted]
Pro.18:12b – Before honour is humility

I. To teach you patience:

Rom.5:3b – Tribulation worketh (teaches us) patience
Jam.1:3,4 – The trying of your faith worketh patience

J. To make you wiser through sorrow:

Eccl.7:3,4 – Sorrow is better than laughter: for by…sadness…the heart is made better

K. To teach you compassion towards others:

Heb.4:15 – Be touched with the feeling of [others'] infirmities
2Cor.1:4 – That we may be able to comfort them…in trouble

4. TRIALS OVER SUFFERING PERSONAL LOSS:

A. Willingly & joyfully suffer loss of position or possessions:

Job 1:21 – The Lord gave, & the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord
Acts 20:23,24 – Bonds & afflictions…none of these things move me, neither count I [even] my life dear
Phi.3:8 – I have suffered the loss of all things, & do count them but dung, that I may win Christ
Heb.10:34 – Ye…took joyfully the spoiling of your goods

B. Lay aside weights to run the race:

Heb.12:1 – Let us lay aside every weight…& let us run the race
1Cor.9:24 – So run, that ye may obtain (the prize)
Phi.3:13,14 – Forgetting those things which are behind…I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling

C. The futility of trying to hang onto things:

Pro.23:5 – Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly…fly away
Lk.12:15 – A man’s life consisteth not in…things he possesseth
(See also Eccl.5:13-15; 1Tim.6:7.)

D. Paul’s trials in missing loved ones:

(See Phi.1:7,8; 1Thes.2:17,18; 1Thes.3:10; 2Tim.1:3,4.)

E. The Lord wants you to love Him first of all:

Psa.73:25 – Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee
Psa.142:4,5 – Refuge failed me; no man cared… Thou art my refuge & my portion in the land of the living
Isa.54:1,5,6 – Sing…for thy Maker is thine husband…the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken
Jn.16:32 – Ye…shall leave Me alone: & yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me

5. SOME BIBLE EXAMPLES OF TRIALS & TESTS:

Gen.21:9-11 – And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight [to send away Hagar & his son Ishmael]
Gen.26:34,35 – [Esau disobeyed & married pagans] which were a grief of mind to Isaac & Rebekah (Also Gen.27:46; 28:8.)
Exo.4:10-13 – [Moses felt incapable to speak to the Hebrew nation]
Num.11:10-12, 14 – [Moses said:] I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me
Judg.6:14,15 – [Gideon felt incapable to be the deliverer of Israel]
Ruth 1:12,13 – [Naomi, unable to help her daughters-in-law, said:] It grieveth me much for your sakes
1Sam.30:1-6 – [David's men grieved at the loss of wives & families]
1Ki.19:1-4,10 – [Elijah, persecuted & feeling all alone, prayed to die]
Psa.6:6-8 – [David's tears & grief because his enemies triumphed]
Psa.38:4-9 – [David's trials about an unhealed affliction]
Psa.102:1-8 – [David's deep trial because of his enemies' reproach] (See also Psa.69:16-20)
Jer.15:10 – [Jeremiah's depths of despair over being rejected, despised & mocked See also Jer.20:7-10,14,18]
Jon.3:4,5,10; 4:1-9 – [When things didn't work as he'd hoped, Jonah was so angry & displeased, he wished to die]
Lk.10:40 – [Martha, working alone, felt unfairly over-burdened]
Jn.21:17 – Peter grieved [because Jesus seemed to be bringing his love & loyalty into question]
2Cor.1:8 – [Paul's] trouble…we were pressed above strength, so we despaired even of life (See also 2Cor.4:8; 7:5.)
Isa.53:3-9 – [Jesus' sorrows & trials]

6. WHY IT’S WORTH IT TO ENDURE TESTS & TEMPTATIONS:

A. For the sake of lost souls:

2Tim.2:10 – I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain…salvation
Isa.53:10-12 – [God "put Jesus to grief" to save our souls]

B. Because you’ll be spiritually stronger as a result:

2Cor.4:16 – We faint not; (for) though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day
2Cor.12:9,10 – My (Jesus’) strength is made perfect in weakness…that the power of Christ may rest upon me (Paul)

C. Because God will reward you after testing you:

Psa.66:12 – Thou hast caused [us to go] through fire & water: but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place
Heb.12:11 – No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward…[good] fruit
Jam.5:11 – Endure. Ye have heard of…Job, & have seen the end… the Lord is of tender mercy (See Job 42:10-17)
(See also Psa.118:5; Lam.3:32.)

D. Heavenly rewards:

Rom.8:18 – The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be…in us
2Cor.4:17 – Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us (an)…eternal weight of glory
Jam.1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation…he shall receive the crown of life
1Pet.4:13 – Ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also
(See also 1Jn.2:17; Rev.21:7.)

7. BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR TRIALS & TEMPTATIONS:

A. God uses your trials & temptations for good:

Rom.8:28 – All things work together for good to…the called
Jam.1:2-4 – Count it joy when ye fall into diverse temptations
1Pet.1:6 – Rejoice, though now for a season ye are in heaviness

B. Chastenings prove God loves you & that you’re His child:

Deut.8:5 – As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord chasteneth
Pro.3:11,12 – My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord
Heb.12:5-12 – Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth…every son
Rev.3:19 – As many as I love, I rebuke & chasten
(See also Job 5:17; Psa.11:5; 1Cor.11:32.)

C. Remember that sorrow will give way to joy:

Psa.30:5 – Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning
Mat.5:4 – Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
1Pet.5:10 – God… after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you

8. HELPING OTHERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH TRIALS:

A. How to help them:

Job 6:14 – To him that is afflicted pity should be showed
Job 19:21 – Have pity upon me…the hand of God hath touched me
Rom.15:1,2 – We…ought to bear the infirmities of the weak
1Cor.12:25,26 – Whether one member suffer, all…suffer with it
Gal.6:2 – Bear ye one another’s burdens
Heb.13:3 – Remember them…which suffer, as being yourselves also in the body

B. Encourage & strengthen them:

Job 16:4,5 – I would strengthen you with my mouth…asswage grief
Isa.50:4 – Speak a word in season to him that is weary
Pro.12:25 – Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad

C. Admonish them with hearty counsel:

Pro.27:9 – Ointment & perfume rejoice the heart: so doth sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel
Col.3:16 – Let the Word of Christ dwell in you…teaching & admonishing one another…singing

9. TEMPTATIONS: WHERE THEY COME FROM:

A. From our own lusts:

Jam.1:13,14 – Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, & enticed
1Jn.2:15,16 – The lust of the flesh &…eyes…is of the world

B. They are also instigated by the devil:

Gen.3:1-6,13 – [Eve:] The serpent beguiled me, & I did eat
1Chr.21:1,7,8 – Satan…provoked David to…(sin & do foolishly)
Mat.4:1-7 – [Jesus was tempted of the devil, "the tempter"]
Lk.22:31 – Simon, Satan hath desired to…sift you as wheat
(See also 1Thes.3:5; 2Cor.11:3.)

10. AVOIDING TEMPTATION:

Mat.6:13a – [Pray:] Lead us not into temptation

A. Avoid the pathway to temptation:

Pro.4:14 – Enter not into the path of the wicked, & go not
Pro.4:15 – Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, & pass away
Mat.7:13,14 – Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, & broad is the way…to destruction
2Tim.2:22a – Flee also youthful lusts

B. Beware of those who would entice you:

Psa.1:1,2 – (Walk) not in the counsel of the ungodly
Pro.1:10 – If sinners entice thee, consent thou not
Pro.16:29 – A violent man enticeth his neighbour, & leadeth him into the way that is not good
2Pet.3:17 – Beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your steadfastness
(See also Pro.22:24,25; 2Pet.2:18,19.)

C. Know your weaknesses, & be on guard against them:

Rom.13:14 – Make not provision (forethought, plans) for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof
Gal.6:1b – Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted

D. Warning re: evil, beguiling influences & “entertainment”:

Deut.7:25,26 – [Do not] bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: utterly detest it
Psa.101:3 – I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes
Psa.106:35,36 – They were mingled among the heathen, & learned their works. Their idols…were a snare unto them
2Cor.11:3 – Lest…as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted
2Pet.2:7,8 – Lot…in seeing & hearing [filthy Sodomites], vexed (tormented) his righteous soul…with their unlawful deeds

11. HOW TO RESIST & OVERCOME TEMPTATION:

A. Keep your eyes on Jesus:

Heb.11:27 – He (Moses) endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible
Heb.12:2,3 – Looking unto Jesus…consider Him…lest ye…faint
(See also Pro.4:25; Col.3:2,3.)

B. Pray & ask the Lord to help you:

Psa.17:5 – Hold up my goings in Thy paths…that my footsteps slip not
Psa.56:13 – Thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not Thou deliver my feet from falling?
Mat.6:13a – Lead us not into temptation…deliver us from evil
Mat.26:41 – Watch & pray, that ye enter not into temptation (See also Lk.21:36)
Mat.18:19,20 – [Have others pray with you in special times of temptation] (See also Jam.5:16)

C. Resist the devil:

Eph.4:27 – Neither give place to the devil
Jam.4:7 – Resist the devil, & he will flee from you

D. Cling to the Word:

Psa.119:80 – Let my heart be sound in Thy statues; that I be not ashamed
Jn.15:3 – Now ye are clean through the Word
2Pet.1:4 – Precious promises: that by these ye might…(escape) the corruption that is in the world through lust
Rev.3:10 – Because thou hast kept the Word…I will keep thee

E. Be willing to give up your own desires out of love for Jesus:

Gal.5:16 – Walk in the Spirit, & ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh
Gal.5:24 – They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections & lusts
Eph.4:20-23 – Put off…the old man…the deceitful lusts
(See also Rom.6:16; Phi.3:8.)

F. Exercise willpower & determine not to yield to temptation:

Rom.6:13 – Neither yield ye your members…unto sin
1Cor.9:27 – I keep under my body, & bring it into subjection
1Cor.16:13 – Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you (behave) like men, be strong
2Tim.2:3 – Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
2Tim.2:22 – Flee youthful lusts: but follow righteousness
1Pet.1:14 – As obedient children, not (conforming) to former lusts
1Pet.2:11 – Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul
(See also 1Cor.10:5,6)

G. Fear the Lord & be afraid to disobey Him:

Pro.14:27 – The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death
Pro.16:6b – By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil
Pro.23:17 – Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long
1Sam.12:24 – Fear the Lord, & serve Him in truth with all your heart

H. Be serious & sober about serving the Lord:

Tit.2:12 – Denying…worldly lusts, we should live soberly…in this present world
1Thes.5:8 – Let us…be sober, putting on the [armour of God]
1Pet.1:13 – Gird up…your mind, be sober, & hope to the end
1Pet.4:7 – The end…is at hand: be ye therefore sober
1Pet.5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil…walketh about, seeking whom he may devour

I. Keep your heart & mind on the final goal:

Heb.11:25,26 – Choosing rather to suffer affliction…than to enjoy pleasures of sin…for he had respect to the reward
Heb.12:2 – (Jesus) for the joy set before Him, endured the cross

12. THE LORD WILL DELIVER YOU:

A. God’s promises to help you:

2Pet.2:9 – Lord knoweth how to deliver godly out of temptations
1Cor.10:13b – God…will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will…also make a way to escape
1Cor.15:57 – Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
Heb.2:18 – He is able to succour (help) them that are tempted

B. Jesus has compassion on us, knowing what it’s like:

Heb.4:15 – (Jesus) was in all points tempted like as we are

C. He is with you when you go through temptation:

Isa 43:1 – Fear not: I have called thee by name; thou art Mine
Isa.43:2 – When thou passest through waters, I will be with thee
1Pet.4:19 – Let them that suffer…commit the keeping of their souls to Him…as unto a faithful Creator
(See also Deut.4:30,31)

13. HOW RIGHTEOUS MEN FELL THROUGH TEMPTATION:

A. Example of Lot going astray & losing all:

Gen.13:5,6 – Lot…had flocks & herds & tents…substance was great
Gen.13:8-11 – [Lot is attracted to the well-watered Jordan valley]
Gen.13:12,13 – Lot…pitched his tent toward [wicked] Sodom
Gen.14:11-16 – [Lot, living near Sodom, taken captive with Sodomites]
Gen.19:1,2 – [Lot "sat in the gate of Sodom" as a judge(Gen:19:9), & lived in a house inside Sodom]
Gen.19:24-30 – [Lot lost everything he owned & ended up in a cave]
(See also Ezk.3:20; Rev.3:11.)

B. Example of Balaam the prophet:

(Compare Num.22:1-21; 24:2,10,11,15,19; 25:1-3; 31:16; Josh.13:22; 2Pet.2:15; Jude 11; Rev.2:14.)

C. The fall of King Solomon:

2Sam.12:24 – Bathsheba…bare Solomon…& the Lord loved him
Neh.13:26 – Solomon…was beloved of his God…nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin
1Ki.11:1-8 – King Solomon loved many strange women…his wives turned away his heart after other gods
1Ki.11:9-11 – The Lord was angry with Solomon (& said), I will rend the kingdom from thee, & give it to thy servant

D. Other examples of people falling through temptation:

Gen.3:1-6 – (Eve) saw the tree was good for food…pleasant to the eyes, & to be desired to make one wise…did eat
Gen.25:29-34 – [Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some pottage]
Josh.7:1,20,21 – (Achan coveted) a goodly Babylonish garment…silver & a wedge of gold
1Ki.13:1-28 – [Young prophet tempted to disobey by the old prophet]
2Ki.5:20-27 – [Gehazi coveted Namaan's goods; was struck leprous]

14. WHEN TEMPTED BY WORLDLY BEAUTY:

A. Beware of lusting after shallow, deceitful beauty:

Pro.6:25 – Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her (eyelashes)
Pro.31:30 – Favour is deceitful, & beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised
1Jn.2:15,16 – The lust of the flesh, & the lust of the eyes, is not of the Father but is of the world
(See also Isa.3:16,18-24; 1Pet.3:3,4.)

B. Beware of being beguiled by the worldly:

Job 31:1 – I made a covenant with mine eyes; when then should I think upon a [worldly] maid?
Pro.7:6-21 – With her much fair speech she caused him to yield
2Pet.2:18 – They speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh…wantonness

C. The bitter end result of being beguiled:

Pro.5:3-13 – The lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb… but her end is bitter…thou mourn at the last
Pro.7:21,22 – He goeth after her…as an ox goeth to the slaughter
Pro.7:23 – As a bird hasteth to the snare, & knoweth not that it is for his life (See also Pro.6:26)
Pro.14:12 – A way which seemeth right, but the end thereof…death
(See also Judg.16:4-6,16,21; Pro.7:25-27; 9:13-18; 23:27,28; 2Sam.13:1-3,28,29.)

D. Resist it with the power of the Word:

Pro.2:1-13 – My commandments…preserveth the way of His saints… to deliver thee from the way of the evil man
Pro.2:16,17 – To deliver thee from the strange woman (See also vs. Pro:1-11)
Pro.6:23,24 – The commandment is a lamp; & the law is light…to keep thee from the flattery of…a strange woman
Lk.4:5-12 – [Jesus resisted devil's temptations by quoting the Word]
(See also Pro.7:1-5)

15. EXAMPLES OF RESISTING TEMPTATION:

Gen.14:21-23 – [Abraham refused rewards from the king of Sodom]
2Ki.5:15,16 – [Naaman urged Elisha to take gifts; Elisha refused]
Job 2:9,10 – [Job refused to sin with his lips & curse God]
Jer.35:5,6 – [The Rechabites obediently refused to drink wine]
Dan.1:8 – [Daniel refused to defile himself eating unclean food]
Acts 8:18-20 – [Peter refused Simon the sorcerer's money]

17. Trials, Temptations & Tribulations, Copyright © 1998-2012, The Family International