God never Tests, Tries, or Tempts
71The Deception
Christians deceived
It is amazing to see how zealous some Christian's are to blame God on Tests, Trials and Temptation.
God never ever puts anybody to test or trial or tempts us in any way, because God predestined from before he created man that we should be in him.
We are the body of Christ on the earth, so in carrying out these actions at any point toward believers would mean that God puts himself through his own tests, temptation, and trials, which is in itself pretty ludicrous.
The best way to understand this would be to actually see and hear from scriptures that proclaim what Gods intentions are, then also see where this idea of " Testing, Tempting, and Trials" actually began and originated, also how this lie is spread, and passed on from believer to believer and the believer ending up an " UNBELIEVER" and walking in "UNBELIEF" sowing seeds of the lie.
Jesus Christ was tempted, tried and tested, and none of these were carried out by our Father, but by Satan on three occasions and by Men in religious positions.
For this reason Jesus proclaims " I have overcome the Devil for your sakes" also " I have overcome the World for your sakes " also " I have overcome death for your sakes".......I could go on and on concerning Gods promises towards us. Yet none involves Tests, Trials, or Temptations, but that God has put that overcoming authority in us in the name of the Holy Spirit of God which also sealed us unto the day of redemption.
All things from God to us are " Extremely Good " and are the very description of God, " Extremely Good " and " Graceful ".
1Cr 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Ephesians
Eph:1:2: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph:1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph:1:4: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph:1:5: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph:1:6: To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph:1:7: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph:1:8: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph:1:9: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph:1:10: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph:1:11: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph:1:12: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph:1:13: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph:1:14: Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Yet some would say God tempted Abraham
Besides this episode of "tempt" it is also a Duplicate of things to come as God gives his only Son
Ge:22:1: And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
Ge:22:2: And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
Ge:22:3: And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
Ge:22:4: Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
Ge:22:5: And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you,
Ge:22:6: And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
Ge:22:7: And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
Ge:22:8: And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Ge:22:9: And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Ge:22:10: And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
Ge:22:11: And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
Ge:22:12: And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
Ge:22:13: And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
Ge:22:14: And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
Ge:22:15: And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
Ge:22:16: And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
Ge:22:17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
Ge:22:18: And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Once you read this whole verse you will note that Gods instruction was the Identical of Abraham and Isaac prototyping the Father offering up Jesus, and God supplied the sacrifice a Abraham expressed his Faith in God that "God will provide himself a lamb"
Abraham was not in anguish or fretting or suffering any heart sore because of the request from God.
Why.
Romans
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Abraham believed God
What did he believe
Rom 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
God was "Proving" Abraham would not doubt God.
No verse in the Bible says God tempts man or tempted man or puts man to the test
The word Tempt in Ge:22:1 has a meaning " Hebrew " nacah - prove, put to the proof or test.
"for now I know that thou fearest God"
Jhn 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father, there is one that accuseth you,
Peace
CommentsLoading...
Artin2010
100% correct, Carnal mind and Satan the only enemy.
God and us the Victorious.
voted up & beautiful! Amen, great explanation, God is good, ALL the time...
samsons1
It is very important to understand this truth about God
Go well
Hoo- you have expressed your thought excelently and have listed wonderful scripture texts as proof of God's promises. Given that all thing are under God's authority and nothing is done with out his permission. Case in point- Job. How can you say God is not directly responsable. Look forward to your response God bless Bro -Love your stuff.
Abrushing1968
Hi there, I want to understand your comment "Job. How can you say God is not directly responsible"
Thanks again
the devil looks like Jack Nicholson in that picture....anyway nice hub!
Given that all thing are under God's authority and nothing is done with out his permission. Is God not ultimately responsable for the trails and tests in our life. Temptations are differant since they are birthed in our own sinful nature.
God tested Job in order to give satan a bloody nose. Satan had to seek God's permission.
God Bless
ABR
Abrushing1968
Ok I see what you are saying, God was confident of Job also like Abraham. But Satan is the one who tried to break Job down and because of Jobs faith in God he rewarded Job with more than before.
God will not even allow Satan to try, test, or persecute us more than is allowed. These days Christ is in the believer, and the authority is in the believer. In Job and Abraham days God was external to them and they relied on Gods promise through his words. We have the living word in us and we rebuke the enemy with the Holy Spirit.
Walk by Faith not by sight
Hope this answeres.
yellowstar2000
Lol yes it does look like him
Hoo said "But Satan is the one who tried to break Job down." But ultimately gave permission and even caused it by mentioning job's name to Satan.
It was the German Military that killed millions of Jews but it was done by the authority of Hitler. We do not blame the soldiers alone but the one who sent them.
Now God is just and all that he allows we know it is for the good, but every trial that comes my way I accept it as though God himself had sent it. This is what I called understanding God's purpose for suffering.
It is too easy to blame the Devil. Because then we dismiss the trail, after all, Satan does not need a reason to hurt me. God allows these things for a purpose. It is our job to understand His purpose. Satan can oly do what God allows. Ultimately the buck stops at God's feet.
I believe that it was God that brought the suffering upon Job, Satan mearly was the messenger God used.
Abrushing1968
I see your point I used to think that too, but God still would not contradict his purpose as is mentioned by Paul a former Believer killer.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
My experience has taught me that me should continually cast down thing that do not magnify the purpose of Jesus Christ, some evolve from the "Flesh" and some originate from "Satan"
2Cr 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Peace bro
Great Hub my brother. Satan, the Master Liar, Deceiver, and murderer, is the author and creator of testing,and tempting.
Brother Dave.
Dave Mathews
Yes that's it, God loves us so why would he be contrary.
GS
Sorry, but I cannot agree with you on this one. Yeshua was tested in the Wilderness... that's a big one... Also, Abraham was tested with Isaac... that's another big one...
I enjoy reading your hubs. There is also Scripture that says, He is Blessed who is not offended by Me.
God Bless!
sarmack
God was confident of Abraham, and hence why Abraham was considered Righteous.
Jesus "Yeshua" was tempted by Satan, and not God.
Its the confidence in Gods completed works that distinguishes between Faith and Unbelief.
Peace
I do not Agree, but that's OK. God has allowed me to be tested, tempted and destroyed by other people. Yet, He keeps me Safe and Protected. That God Allows these things to happen to people, means to me that God was the author... for He is in Control of my life and nothing happens to me that He does not allow. Sometimes, my way of explaining things is different and I accept that and Understand when people do not agree with me.
God Bless!
sarmack
I am not disagreeing with you, yes we are tempted, do go through trials, and tribulation, but none of them are God doing them. As I said in the hub Man, Satan,and ourselves. God is there to take us through the "Valley of the shadow of death", he is for our protection and strengthening, and much more.
Peace
Why won't you post what the KJV says, HOO?
Judah's Daughter
Which verse did you have in mind. ? sister
KJV:
Gen 22:1 “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.”
Heb 11:17 “By faith Abraham, when he was tried offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.”
You believe God never tests, tries or tempts. The Hebrew word for ‘tempt’ means ‘test’ and the Greek word for ‘tried’ means ‘test’. The word ‘tempt’ as in ‘with evil’, is only applicable to Satan. God does not tempt us with evil.
Here’s some more of the KJV:
Ps 7:9 “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.”
Ps 17:3 “Thou hast proved mine heart; Thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
Ps 26:2 “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.”
Ps 66:10 “For Thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.”
Ps 105:19 “Until the time that His word came: the word of the LORD tried him.”
Ps 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.”
The ones you wouldn't approve. By the way, I wrote an entire hub just with YOU in mind, since you only use the KJV. It's called "Trials and Temptations". If you are teachable, please read it. God holds His kids accountable for what they teach and/or preach (James 4:4).
Judah's Daughter
You should go do some more home work and learn to understand in your Spirit not your mind.
You just don't get it do you. Should I bother teaching an unteachable you, you seem to be very judgmental in place of listening to the Holy Spirit. Your lack of understanding and wisdom amazes me, even your slinging of supposed judgmental verses like as if you are a god.
Judah's Daughter
Here it is . We live under a New Covenant. We are new creatures in Christ "As Christ is so are we" no test no trial no tempting.
The Holy Spirit does not contradict His Word.
Judah's Daughter
No the Holy Spirit does not "contradict His Word" but you are surely doing it. Stop trying to invoke an argument, and making yourself a self imposed martyr by me rejecting your negative attitude.
God loves you in Jesus name, leave it there.
The scriptures you SAY you believe in says our Father does try us, And Yahshua told us to pray that the Father wouldn't lead us into temptation.
Deborah Sexton
Well if you believe in the Old Covenant then maybe, you would think that. Jesus Christ replaced the Old with the New hence "New". You must be Born again to see the Kingdom and to enter in.
Our Father made many new covenants with His people but He always made it clear that they were everlasting covenants.
New covenants don't nullify the old ones, they add to them.
Read Exodus chapters 19-34
You stated somewhere that to understand scripture and it's meaning, that you have to understand Hebrew and Greek. But saying the old covenant has been done away with, shows you don't know Hebrew nor Greek.
Do you know the Hebrew meaning of "COVENANT"
So, even though Yahshua said it, it's not true?
If Paul said it, it's true?
John 5:43
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Deborah Sexton
Yes I know the meaning of the Covenant OT and NT so did God (Jesus Christ).
The result is thus
2Cr 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Deborah Sexton
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Luk 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
So if Paul is talking about Gods Grace he is talking about Jesus.
Paul says what Jesus said, Jesus tells Paul to go into the world and preach the good news
So why did the Jews Crucify Jesus Christ....not that I don't know......but you tell me your version.
You never stated your definition of "Covenant" you only stated you know what it means.
The English word covenant does not convey the Hebrew meaning.
You say you know Hebrew word meanings. Please give your definition of covenant.
Deborah Sexton
beriyth = Hebrew
1) covenant, alliance, pledge
B) between men
1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man)
2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)
3) agreement, pledge (man to man)
4) alliance (of friendship)
5) alliance (of marriage)
A) Between God and man
1) alliance of friendship
2) covenant divine ordinance with signs or pledges
diatheke =Greek
1) Grace of God in Jesus Christ "New Covenant"
2) a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will
3) a compact, a covenant, a testament
HOO, would you like New Testament KJV proof that God tries His children?
1 Pet 1:7 “That the trial [testing/proving] of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried [proved/approved] with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
The word ‘trial’ is 6884 tsaraph (tsaw-raf’): to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (lit. or fig.): - cast, (re-) fine (-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try.
How about Rev 3:18 “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried [refined] in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”
What is this 'fire'? Look back at the prophet Malachi in 3:12 “But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire.”
Judah's Daughter
You still don't get it do you, its not God, read the verses correctly, dont just try and see what you want to see. Robbing yourself of Gods Grace
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Let the reader understand.
Judah's Daughter
Jesus took on the trials, temptations, and tests in your place so he could equip you against the world and whatever it throws at you. God supports you.
We are tried to make us strong. Our Father does test us.
James 1:3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Revelation 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Psalm 7:9
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men
Proverbs 17:3
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts
Psalm 26:2
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart
Psalm 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts
Jeremiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings
Deborah Sexton
You still don't get it do you, its not God, read the verses correctly, don't just try and see what you want to see. Robbing yourself of Gods Grace
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Jesus took on the trials, temptations, and tests in your place so he could equip you against the world and whatever it throws at you. God supports you, that's why he died on the cross. His burden is light.
If God did then he is contradicting his own actions for setting us free.
You misinterpret God's word
Deborah Sexton
Nice to hear from you.
No, I don't interpret scripture.
You don't?
Nice job on this hub Brother Hoowantstono!
I believe that Satan asks God for "permission" to test His anointed. But God will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear. God knows our individual weaknesses and he allows us to be tested, and refined, to make us "better" Christians. And--to provide an answer to Satan when we faithfully "pass" the test!
Remember just before Jesus was arrested, from Lu 22:31; "Simon, Simon, Satan has ASKED to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Satan "asked" for permission to test Peter. Then Jesus had prayed for Peter to resist Satan. And then finally Jesus shows in his final comment that he KNEW that Peter would fail the test. He said; "And when you have "turned back", strengthen your brothers. " Jesus knew the outcome, and he knew that he would turn back, and be forgiven!
Jesus knows we will fail our tests many times, and how comforting to know that he will intercede for us with the Father. Job 16:20.
Then he bears our sins upon himself and cleanses us, he purifies us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:5-8
Remember too--in Job,when he is tested. Satan also asked permission from God to test Job's faithfulness. Job 1:6-12. God said, OK--but here are "the limits" of what you can do. God is always in control.
Then--Satan tried again against Job in Job 2:3-5, but in verse 6, God again, sets the limit: "Very well, then, he is in your hands, but you must spare his life."
Every trial and test is our opportunity to prove Satan a liar, and to demonstrate to God our love and devotion to him. But when we fail, Jesus intercedes for us-- as our High Priest, he speaks for us.
As Christians we need to love and support one another, be patient with each other-- with that same patience, mercy and love that Christ extends to every single one of us, every single day! So we can prove ourselves"worthy" of his calling. 2 Thess 1:11
I was edified once again by this hub, my brother! Nicely done.
God doesn't contradict Himself or His Word. If you believe your understanding is absolutely right, resulting in the appearance that 'God could contradict His own actions for setting us free', I would think you would reconsider your understanding of the Word. God didn't choose the Bible to be written in English to begin with, and for good reason. It's caused more problems than if we all were made to learn Hebrew and Greek in order to read it and understand it properly.
I mean, how do you explain the KJV in the following two passages without studying the Greek word for HATETH?
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar" (1 John 4:20)
"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26)
And half the time, one doesn't know if the lower-case 'h' in 'he' or 'm' in 'my' is referring to God or a person within the passage. Why not show God's divinity by using a capital 'H' or capital 'M'?
The point is, you're going to find apparent 'contradictions' all over the place, if you don't study to interpret (rightly divide) the Word of truth!! (2 Tim 2:15). You obviously have a passion for God and His grace, but is He calling you to higher ground? Are you willing?
exjwlaurie
That is correct, Trials and testing are for strengthening and as you said" God will not allow us to be tested or tempted beyond what we can bear and endure". The Holy Spirit is there to "Edify us" so then God cant do the testing and Edify at the same time. Its society, Satan and our own choices that put us in trial.
Judah's Daughter
Phl 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Exd 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
I listen to what the Holy Spirit says, so I dont interpret the word, why. Logic understanding can deceive so the Spirit Word is the teacher "Rhema"
So I guess that's why Paul told Timothy to study, rather than just rely on the Holy Spirit? And the Bereans tested what they heard by searching the scriptures? The Holy Spirit never contradicts His Word. There is a counterfeit 'spirit' out there, as you know. How did Jesus ward off Satan? "It is written". I just showed you how the English translation will appear to contradict because it doesn't use the original words/meanings. Your hub title contradicts what is written in the Word. That's been shown to you, yet you refuse to believe it.
Judah's Daughter You showed nothing but this
1Ti 6:20 O Judahs Daughter, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Yep, hoowantstono, its amazing how many believe this idea that God tortures us into submission to him. Feels kinda like a domestic violence guy to me or some power hungry sicko. Why would the creator of the universe have to play those kinds of games. Utterly ridiculous concept, yet many buy it. Glad to see you don't. See, told ya I'd come. You are like Sky, who writes mostly Christian type hubs. You should find her on my fans list, as you would probably enjoy her writing. She wrote the first hub linked on the Mark of the Beast site, in case you want to find her. (:v
valeriebelew
Well God is Very Good, so why rob ourself by trying to discredit his Grace by lack of understanding of what Gods goodness has achieved for us. That is exactly what the Gospel is all about, called "Good News"
1 Tim 6:20 confirms 2 Tim 2:16, of which you conveniently left out 2 Tim 2:15, of which I've quoted to you ~ one who does not wish to study or rightly divide the Word. It's too bad you choose to be condescending, and inappropriately so.
God is in control of our trials. Some come directly from Him, as with Abraham, and some are allowed to come from Satan. Exjwlaurie explained it well, but you neglect so many passages that clearly state God tries and tests our faith, all for His glory and our growth. I will leave you where you wish to stay. I've only tried to help you, but of course, you don't see it that way.
Judah's Daughter
Jhn 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Why don't you do a hub proving that God tests us etc. This hub says he doesn't, you sucking any verse to satisfy yourself and to prove your error is correct. Dont forget you are contradicting the bible if you claim God does this to us.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I already posted to you, HOO, that I wrote a hub just for YOU, using the KJV called "Trials and Temptations". But, since you have your belief in what you believe, my hub would not prove anything to you. Only God can do that. If He wants you to learn this, He will do it.
Judah's Daughter
Jhn 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Jhn 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
All I see is you standing pointing your finger and judging, and you seem to want to contradict scriptures. I am sure you are under a mental breakdown, or fatigued somehow, or just rebellious towards the Grace of God. It could be the remnant still stuck in your mind with your previous false religion you practiced, and need deliverance there from.
Your title implies that he never has, which is clearly wrong. Maybe that's what's causing all the ruckus. And your arrogance about scripture is off-putting. "Dont forget you are contradicting the bible if you claim God does this to us." - one of your quotes. I'm grateful that God put the all-knowing Hoo here to straighten us all out.
Stan Fletcher
Thanks, if you can show me where he did, I will appreciate it. In the true sense of the word.
I really don't want to argue. I just react pretty strongly to "that's the way it is" dogmatism. And I'm always leary of KJV-only folks, but that's another subject for another day, and one we will never agree on.
Your title says 'never'. I'm in agreement with your general concept. God allows us to be tested but he rarely does the testing. I get that. However, the story of Abraham and Isaac was clearly a test. The story says nothing of Abraham's feelings and you can't infer them from the text. The text doesn't address that, so you can't say with certainty how he felt. At the point when he said, "God will provide the lamb", he didn't know what God was going to do. If he was positive that God would provide a substitute, there would be no faith required. When he said that, I believe he meant, "God will provide the lamb, and that lamb may very well be you, son." I believe he would have killed Isaac if God didn't intervene, because THAT'S WHAT GOD TOLD HIM TO DO. Your opinion on the matter disagrees with hundreds of Biblical scholars, pastors and teachers and seems to be splitting a hair that doesn't need to be split.
If it's not a test, why did God ask him to do it?
You said, "Abraham was not in anguish or fretting or suffering any heart sore because of the request from God."
What difference does that make as to whether it was a test or not.
If God asks me to sacrifice my son, I have a choice to make. I have to say yes or no, as Abraham did. How is that not a test? If I was positive God was going to have a ram ready as a substitute, there would be no point whatsoever in the exercise.
No need to respond. I harbor no ill will toward you. I've just learned not to be so dogmatic. There are many issues that believers argue about that are not crystal clear in the Bible, like the consumption of alcohol for example. I don't do dogmatism anymore. Makes a fool out of you eventually.
Stan Fletcher
Abraham trusted God, even God claimed it as he said "for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me"
Abraham was doing exactly what God would do when God offered up Jesus.
Fear God
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Artin2010 Level 3 Commenter 18 months ago
Excellent writing brother H, couldn't have done it any better myself.In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul/Saul writes that God is a God of Peace! So all trials, temptation and test are a result of either lust brought on by our carnal nature or an evil entity that is persistant in the battle against all good and love! Love the Father and Jesus Christ for they loved you first !!!