Discernment
The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Lead us not into temptation. A conundrum. Why does Jesus ask that we not be led to temptation? The implication is that God can lead our way toward temptation, but we need to request that He doesn’t. Doesn’t God want to lead us away from temptation?
The source of temptation is not God. (James 1:13-15) In Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home. Foster writes of the negative (lead us not to temptation) and positive (but deliver us from evil): “The first part of the petition has disturbed many.” (Ha, ha! We aren’t the only ones who’ve sensed a Rae Knopp conundrum here!) How can God, our redeemer, both lead us into temptation and shield us from temptation? “The Greek word (temptation) itself means “trials” or “trying circumstances,” Foster goes on to write “the only time God tries us is when there is something in our hearts that needs revealing. For example, Judas was a man who had difficulty with money, which was precisely why Jesus made him the treasurer of the apostolic band. In time, what was in the heart of Judas came to light.” Jesus lead Judas into a situation where his love of money would be stronger than his love for Christ.
“Satan tempts us that he may bring out all the evil that is in our hearts; God tests us that He may bring out all the good.” F.B. Meyer
While I was in high school. I went on a school biology trip to the Steens Mountains. It was an overnight camping trip in late fall. Quite cold. A group of hunters camping next to our campsite, welcomed some of us over to their campfire. We felt a little weird about joining the group of older men, but did it anyway. After a while our conversation got to religion. One of the men looked me straight in the eye, and said, “Do you believe in God?”
I felt my blood run cold. I, of course, more than believed in God. I loved God. I had a very personal relationship with God. I looked around the campfire, catching the eyes of several of my classmates.
Peter, at a similar fire, had a similar decision to make. How would he react to being called a Christ follower? He had just told Jesus that he was prepared to go to prison and die for him. “This man was also with him.” Peter had a split second to answer the servant girl. Peter denied even knowing Christ.
Christ had foretold Peter’s denial saying: “Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you* like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
The temptation to downplay my relationship with Christ was strong in me. My answer to the hunter was similar to Peter’s to the servant girl. “Of course I believe in God. My Dad is a pastor.” Immediately I was deeply disturbed by my response to the question. I had succumbed to the temptation to deny Christ’s importance to me.
At the time, my denial strengthened my faith in God. Years later, I passed on to my children what I learned during the fireside conversation. I stressed that their decisions to follow Jesus are personal commitments that are on-going.
Dealing with temptation and our dark side.
At the campfire, I was very aware that I was being tempted. At the time, I thought it was by Satan. Now I wonder if I needed to know how easy it would be for me to deny Christ. How can we battle Satan and our own tendency to sin? Our protection is in Ephesians 6:10-20: Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word of God. The armor of God. When we find ourselves in a negative, hurtful tempting situation, how should we pray?
Truth: What is true? What is a lie? What might destroy us or others? What would Jesus do?
Righteousness: Jesus has our backs. We NEVER have to lean on our own righteousness. Don’t listen to the voice of condemnation. It’s not from God.
Peace: Are you at peace? If not, the Jesus prayer may be of service: “Lord, Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner.” Pray it for other people as well.
Faith: In whom or what are you is your faith? Are leaning on the everlasting arms, or something else or someone else? Idols? Hmmmmmm.
Salvation: Our salvation is in Christ alone. We can count on it. Nothing else is certain.
The Word of God: What does the bible say about our situation? Be quiet and listen. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 God will provide you with His Word, especially when you ask. He’s not into a guessing game. God wants to give you His Word through the bible, the Holy Spirit or others. Hebrews 4:12-16
A couple more things:
- Be aware the devil is out to kill, steal, and destroy. (2 Corinthians 2:11). If something seems not quite right, it probably isn’t. Go to God. He is our spiritual authority. Don’t doubt what you are discerning. We can easily underestimate what is going on in the spiritual world.
2) Be aware of your weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9). God can use your weaknesses. It is important to acknowledge that you are weak and work with God. God redeems. He’s done it over and over: Joseph: Genesis 50:15-20, Israel: Jeremiah 24, Peter: Luke 22:54-62 / John 21:15–17.
3) Again, remember, when tempted or tested, God has made a way of escape. God is a good, good Father, who wants the best for us. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
4) Be vulnerable. (James 5:16). God’s grace is strengthened in a community. Ecclesiastes 4:12. The idea of a one cord rope versus a three is very concrete. Remember: We are stronger TOGETHER.
Foster, Richard J. Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, p.188 & 189.
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