What is the difference between ‘trial’ and ‘temptation’? Jesus teaches us in his construct prayer in Matthew 6 and specifically verse 13 to pray, asking God that we not be led into temptation. Those are very interesting words. Jesus is instructing us, God is instructing us, via his manifestation as a human that we ask him not to lead us into temptation.
At minimum a trial may be thought of as affliction of the spirit for growth, while temptation may be thought of as contemplation by the flesh that may result in sin if we follow through with the thought or action (Matthew 5:27-29). More specifically a trial is affliction we undergo, provided by God for our growth and good and his glory (Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:20ff; Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:1-2). While temptations are not of God (James 1:13), yet we are told they are necessary (Matthew 18:7; Luke 17:1) and serve a purpose (1 Corinthians 11:19).
While all of that may be clear as mud, if we take a closer look at this prayer, the request that we make to God regarding temptation is flanked by forgiveness language. So, we have temptation prevention; asking God that he not lead us into temptation, and forgiveness language surrounding it. Having a heart seeking and giving forgiveness keeps us in humble submission to God and is paramount in keeping us from temptation.
A later passage in Matthew with parallel passages found in Mark and Luke shed some light on this for us. Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38 and Luke 22: 40, 46 all speak of entering into temptation. These verses speak of it regarding our flesh. Temptation is directly connected to our flesh. A trial we could say is meant to be connected to our spirit. This (at minimum) is why God cannot tempt us (it is of the flesh) yet brings us affliction for spiritual growth through trial.The Scriptures teach that here on earth we are body and spirit. At the moment of justification our spirits are changed by the entering of the Holy Spirit. A wonderful thing happens to us. Paul writes in Romans 6:7, “For one who has died has been set free from sin.” He is discussing how we die to our old self (Romans 6:3ff; 2 Corinthians 5, esp. 14-15). However, we are not free of sin. We still live in the flesh and it is here, in the flesh that we are tempted.Genesis 3:3 & 6 provide two helps to us that teach us about trials and temptations.
The first help (Genesis 3:3) is to know God’s Word exactly as he wrote it. Coming close to God’s Word but not nailing it sent Adam and Eve packing from the Garden: “And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.” Whoa there, Eve! Back up to Genesis 2:15-17! Maybe Adam didn’t convey this correctly (I don’t believe this but now is not the time for that discussion), or maybe you fumbled the ball…the fact remains that if God calls you to do something (work the Garden) he’s going to allow you the freedom to have ‘hands on’ access to what you need to do. He will never ask you to do something without also giving you the ability to do it. God’s instructions were clear regarding the tree.
The second help is to understand what is happening in our hearts when we are tempted. Genesis 3:6 says: “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate,..” Eve’s temptation has moved to contemplation in her heart to disobey God or to sin. 1 John, as if a bookend with this passage, reminds us of the deadliness of our flesh:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
1 John 2:15-17
Look with me at John 15:20. Jesus is speaking to his disciples:
“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”
In this passage, Jesus is instructing his people on how to move forward after him. Keeping his word is of the utmost importance. Adding to it or taking away from it leads us into temptation and then sin (Read the prophets!). Temptation is a problem of the flesh. Trials are an exercise for the soul.
This is an important truth for us today. Our hearts lead us into temptation when we listen to their warped words. Our Holy Spirit filled hearts sustain us in trials when we listen to the right and true words of Scripture. Stay in humble communion with God and man. Seek forgiveness in recognition of our hearts which are free from sin yet are not free of sin. This is God’s own construct for not being led into temptation.