BUT... God does test his children. He tests to prove us genuine, not to make us purposely fail. That is the sole reason behind the trials we go through, to strengthen our faith and give us more ammunition to use against the Devil's ploys. God's tests are not only to prove our genuineness, but also to draw out something that is not yet present in us.
This is why our trials can be a time for rejoicing. How many people today suffer in trials of many kinds, thinking that the issue is whether they have the faith to pass the test? The amazing reality is that God will use the trial to develop something that they don't possess yet. James says, Be happy about that! You are learning :)The source of the temptation is in ourselves. The fault is in the desires and the weakness of our human nature. We sin and we have no excuse for that sin. It's our own choice and we are responsible for it. Our desires tempt us. They make us want to do what we know to be absolutely wrong. And it is our weakness that traps us, again and again, and again.
Grace, enter stage right. The completely wonderful and unbelievable thing about sin is that it won't ruin us. We've been given a way out, a get-out-of-Hell-free card, called Jesus. He came and lived our sin for us, so we wouldn't have to do it for eternity. Now, ladies, I know we all know this. It's been drilled into us since Sunday School. But sometimes, at least for me, reading it like this, in the context of a close-knit and supportive sisterly blog, makes a lot of impact. And I pray that God gives me the right words when the opportunity comes to say these very same truths to someone who has never once heard them.
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