How do we know if we are being tempted or chastised?

[Thorwald]

The book of Job brings up an interesting question. Satan can use carnally 'positive' or 'negative' temptations in order for us to lose our faith/trust in God, and follow Satan. How do we know if we are being tempted by Satan, or chastised by God?

One very great example of this problem/question, is illustrated by Christ, Himself, when Christ cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Evidently, Christ tried to 'give up His carnal life', and nothing happened. The Christian ministry teaches us, that Christ's Father turned away for a moment due to the sins that Christ took upon Himself. This is utter nonsense.

Satan was allowed to tempt Christ on the cross. Had Christ lost His faith in His Father, and perhaps even cursed His Father, we would be without a saviour. Christ went to His Father for an answer, instead.

 

[B-A-C]

Usually temptation is something we want to do. It may not be good for us, but we want it anyway.
Usually discipline is something that we don't want. It may be good for us, but we don't usually want it.

Jesus took ours sins, but I wouldn't say he lived a carnal life. He himself was sinless.
So why do you think Jesus asked "Why have you forsaken me"?

Sin separates us from God.
Isa 59:1; Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear.
Isa 59:2; But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

2 Cor 5:21; He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Heb 4:15; For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Jas 1:13; Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
Heb 12:10; For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

 

[Thorwald]

Usually temptation is something we want to do. It may not be good for us, but we want it anyway.
Usually discipline is something that we don't want. It may be good for us, but we don't usually want it.

Jesus took ours sins, but I wouldn't say he lived a carnal life. He himself was sinless.
So why do you think Jesus asked "Why have you forsaken me"?

Sin separates us from God.
Isa 59:1; Behold, the LORD'S hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear.
Isa 59:2; But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

2 Cor 5:21; He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Heb 4:15; For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Jas 1:13; Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
Heb 12:10; For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

The book of Job opens our eyes to 'negative' temptation. This was also used on Christ when He was on the cross. In both cases, doubt and confusion is the result. We can start thinking that we must have done something wrong, or worse yet, we may become angry with God. If we feel that we are following God's Word, but all these negative things are happening to us, our faith can become 'undermined'.

 

[Eric E Stahl]

James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Every temptaion is an opportunity to choose right or wrong. If we choose right we become more mature and complete Christians.

If we choose wrong we bring chastisement upon our selves.

God allowed the Devil to try Job to bring glory to God and reward to Job.

I would not choose to be tried like Job and he probably wouldn't either, but God is in control and his will goes.

 

[Thorwald]

James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Every temptaion is an opportunity to choose right or wrong. If we choose right we become more mature and complete Christians.

If we choose wrong we bring chastisement upon our selves.

God allowed the Devil to try Job to bring glory to God and reward to Job.

I would not choose to be tried like Job and he probably wouldn't either, but God is in control and his will goes.

I don't know about anyone else, but if I stub my toe, it hurts, and I have never prayed/said, "Thank you God for letting Satan tempt me." The instant pain makes me say something else [ungodly]. How about you?

 

[Eric E Stahl]

I don't know about anyone else, but if I stub my toe, it hurts, and I have never prayed/said, "Thank you God for letting Satan tempt me." The instant pain makes me say something else [ungodly]. How about you?

A few weeks ago I had a near death experience, at least I though it was. It turns out what I had was not life threatening. My immediate reaction at that time was to tell God , your way God your way !

 

[Thorwald]

A few weeks ago I had a near death experience, at least I though it was. It turns out what I had was not life threatening. My immediate reaction at that time was to tell God , your way God your way !

I have many experiences where there were possibilities that I would be killed. I am not talking about these experiences. I am talking about 'instant' pain from hurting yourself when you didn't see it coming (hitting your elbow, knee, head, toes, etc.). In my book, I list several possible death experiences, where I had no control over the situation. In every one, I prayed to God. The outcome was unknown, and I was basically defenceless. God protected me in every instance.

 

[Just a servant]

Does good fruit come from a bad tree?

Discernment is something that has to be practiced. And let us not forget that sometimes the rod God uses IS Satan.

 

[daniel neverson]

every bad thing that enter your mind is temptation.

 

[Just a servant]

every bad thing that enter your mind is temptation.

Thoughts do not always come from us. The only thoughts that actually come from us are the ones we will into existence. Sometimes they are attacks from the enemy designed to crush our spirit. Satan is accusing us day and night trying to get us to betray God. He wants God to condemn us, but for those of us who are in the Book of Life, we will not be condemned. Remember that you can only be justified by faith and not your own actions. The Blood of Christ redeems us. Even father Abraham was justified by Faith and not works. When you conform to the will of the Father, it is only through the works Christ did.