Have you ever heard someone say that God is testing them? I have, but is that what His Word says? God’s Word tells us that He tempts no one (James 1:13). I John 1:5 tells us that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” God lovingly reassures us that when we are faced with temptation, there is an escape for us (I Corinthians 10:13). God never changes and God is good always!
While I was growing up, I thought that God did test us. I would sit in church and listen to people share how God tempted them with hardships and difficulties as a test of their faithfulness and strength. Each person thanked God for those difficulties. When I was taught keys to understanding the Bible, I learned that these temptations are not from God. God is the Source of good. God does not use hardships or difficulties to tempt, test, or try any man. When I understood what God’s Word said, I realized that God is good always! He is the Source of all good, and His intent toward us is always good.
God does not tempt anyone.
James 1:13:
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
God’s Word tells us that God can’t be tempted with evil, and that He tempts no man. When we are tempted, it is from the Devil. He is the tempter. How subtle the adversary is to trick people into asking for more temptation in their life. The Devil is the source of temptation. It is not God’s nature to tempt man with evil.
I John 1:5:
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
God wants us to know that He is Light. There is no darkness in God at all. His intent toward us is always good. God is Light, and God is good always!
When we are tempted, there is always a way for us to escape the temptation.
God loves us and knows we will be tempted. When we are faced with temptation, it is easy to feel like we’re the only ones going through it. But God tells us in His Word that the temptations we face are common to all. Our situation is not new to God, and we are not alone. God is faithful to provide a way to escape. He is always with us and will always provide a way to avoid the evil and withstand the challenge.
I Corinthians 10:13:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [permit] 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.
Studying the Word is a critical step to knowing God and that He is good always. It is through His Word that we get to know Him. It is through His Word that we know He doesn’t change, and we can always count on Him to be good. James 1:17 calls God “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
James 1:17:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
God does not change, not even one little bit. God is faithful and will always make a way for us to escape the temptation so that we can avoid the evil and withstand the challenge. God is good always!
God loves us and wants us to know that He will never tempt us. His Word clearly states that He does not try, test, or entice us with evil. He is Light and He makes a way for us to escape temptation. As we study His Word, we will truly know where good comes from and where to find it. God is good always! He is the Source of all good and His intent toward us is always good.