In our last episode on TBC radio, we began exploring the second stage of the Youth S.O.U.L.dier’s journey – “the enlistment.” It is a testing stage in our spiritual walk that prepares and gives us a proverbial ‘heads up’ for the assignment or ‘the real thing’ up ahead. Although enlistment’ is the official qualifier for the ‘assignment’, it does not rule out further tests and temptations. The ‘souldier’ will go through continual assessments.
Testing and temptation may seem similar. Even in the Bible’s original text, the word used for test is also used for temptation—it’s only different depending on the context. Christians are tried in many ways. Often, we ask, “How do I know if this is from the enemy or from God?” How can we know when we’re being tested as opposed to being tempted? Knowing the difference will help us succeed in the enlistment process.
TEST OR TEMPTATION: WHICH IS IT?
The intention (good or evil) behind the challenge determines whether it is a test or a temptation, and following the voice (God or the devil) that backs the intentions shapes the outcome. The product can only be holiness or sin.
“You never really stop going through tests.” Testing is done by God. The idea of testing is noble, and with every test given, there’s a purpose. On the one hand, we undergo tests to strengthen our faith and develop complete reliance on God. There is a pure intention (as with the children of Israel) because God knows we can go through the trials and emerge victorious, with Christ at the center. He reveals the truest state of our hearts to us through the testing and makes us holy.
God’s heart and intent behind the testing process are very different from those of the enemy. Testing is an opportunity for us to trust in God, conform to the image of Christ, and overcome the evil one. Testing produces intimacy with God. It is the most effective and highly transformative when we choose, like Job, to trust in God. The situations and challenges (tests) that we face, no matter how bad they are, do not change or define God’s nature. He is unquestionably, utterly, and unarguably good.
On the other hand, temptation is more sinister, sneaking into our hearts and minds to pull us away from God’s will. Temptation is usually done by the devil. Tempting, by definition, means to entice or persuade someone to do something they find attractive but know is wrong or unwise. Here, there is no good, and if we fall into this trap, we will sin. God wants us to shine like the Son—He has our best interest at heart (Romans 8:28), whereas the enemy wants us to fall, lose our faith in God, and become so much more sinful and further from God! Sometimes, though, we blame the devil for things he doesn’t even do; some temptations are the result of us being drawn away by our own desires.
Nonetheless, Jesus is so kind and gracious that He will never allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to overcome. He has assured us that in every situation, He will provide a way of escape. Sometimes He provides a way out with scripture, whispers of His Holy Spirit, a Godly community, advice, and more. We will see victory as the battle is already won!
TESTS AND TEMPTATIONS IN SCRIPTURE
Scripture provides us with many examples of people who encountered different tests and temptations. Abraham had been tested many times. In Genesis, when he got to Egypt, Abraham was tempted to say that Sarah was his sister out of fear.
Our negative response to temptation reveals the areas in our lives in which we don’t trust God; if Abraham had faith that God would keep him safe, he wouldn’t have lied. Enlistment proves your faith in God. Youth Souldier, it’s one thing to believe in God’s existence; it’s another thing to totally trust in Jesus.
Do you know who else succumbed to fear? Peter. That’s right! In the story of Peter walking on water, he encountered a test. Peter had to have faith to walk on water. The only way he could pass is by keeping his eyes on Jesus. Similarly, in the Enlistment, the keys to passing the test are faith and keeping our eyes on our Commander, Jesus. But as Matthew 10:39 says, the second you take your eyes off of Jesus, you fail the test.
A similar thing happened in the story of Peter denying Jesus. In the story, Peter sought to save his own life out of fear instead of going all out for Christ.
TRUST IN GOD’S GOODNESS
The Father’s intentions are not for us to fail but to triumph and to come out victorious. Think about when a good teacher gives you a test; they don’t want you to fail. Their desire is for you to go to the next level, to gain wisdom, and to gain understanding. How much more, God? Failures bring lessons, but God’s heart is not for us to fail in the enlistment. If you grumble, doubt, and accuse Him by saying His intentions and purposes aren’t good, like the Israelites did in the wilderness, you will fail the test! However, if you have faith in God’s goodness and character, like Job did in his hardships, you’ll pass it. We have to look at the intent of the test and trust God to guide us through it!
In the middle of the enlistment, when the fire is coming at us from every angle, we can call on Jesus’ name. He’s Emmanuel, right here with us. God doesn’t isolate us to fend for ourselves in the enlistment; He goes through it with us. At the end of the day, just like in Scripture, we will be able to say, “The LORD is my God.”
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Join Youth S.O.U.L. every Friday at 6 p.m. on TBC Radio, 88.5/.9 FM, as we discuss a variety of topics affecting youth. If you miss us, this is where you can get the summary. Follow us on: Instagram:@youthsoul_tbc; Tiktok:@youthsoul.tbc; Youtube:@tbcradio.