Are there times when it is OK to hate someone?

In Psalm 139:21 we read David saying, "Do I not hate them O Lord that hate you? And am I not grieved with those that rise up against you? I hate them with perfect hatred. I count them my enemies."

These feelings by David are in contradiction to what Jesus taught us about loving our enemies and doing good to them right (Matt 5:44)? So why did David feel justified in hating his enemies? How could he make such an out loud and brash statement like he did? The word hate is the Hebrew word miseo. The word has several meanings; malice, disregard, preferring one thing over another, dislike.

David was justified in saying he hated those that hated God because those that hate God are his enemies, and are bent on committing evil. The nations that Israel had to drive out of Canaan were perversely wicked nations that God commanded them to destroy. Why? Because God hated those nations. Would God have commanded those nations be destroyed if he loved them?  Of course not. An evil person wicked ways are repulsive to God and HAVE to be repulsive to us as well - those of us who are his children.  If not, we are siding with God's enemies which we must not do.

So, how do we balance what Jesus commanded us in Matthew 5:44 verses what David said in Psalm 139:21? Jesus commanded us to love and pray for our enemies which we are supposed to do. That does not mean we want God to bless them in their state of wickedness and rebellion. Rather we should pray that they repent of their sins and believe the gospel so that they can be saved. We are to despise them - not with an unjustified malicious hatred toward them, but a godly, holy hatred because of their wicked ways. It is a justified hatred with a godly cause - all the while praying for the salvation of their soul even as your enemy. 

Remember, whom or what God hates, we hate. Whom or what God loves, we love. 

A perfect example of a righteous hatred would be the terrorist regime ISIS. Question, does God love them? I would say yes and no.

These terrorists are enemies of God and his Church. They are beheading and crucifying Christians. They have made it clear that they hate God and his children. I think I would be safe in saying that God hates ISIS and we should to because they are evil. I know that language sounds strange. The paradox however is that we are to love and pray for the individuals salvation, and at the same time pray for them being brought to justice, their organization destroyed and even executed for their crimes. They deserve to die. They are an abomination to all, but we as believers should pray they do not perish eternally.

Even though it can be hard to understand this apparent duplicitous dynamic humanly, it is not difficult to decipher in the mind of God. God's hate of something or someone is just as perfect and holy as his love. We must not forget that. And remember, David's loathing of those in his day was justified because of the wickedness of those who hated God. God is holy and perfect. Anyone who is against God is against us. Jesus said, "Whoever is not for me is against me (Matt 12:30)."

Jesus at the end of time will destroy all evil - that means he will kill everyone of his enemies. Why? Because he loves them so? No, because he despises them for their evil and for his holiness sake he must judge them (Rev 19:11-21).  God would not be just if he did not judge evil doers. Just as a human judge must sentence wicked people to life in prison or death for their crimes, God must and will do the same thing.

God's hating of individuals is never baseless or causeless. It is because man is against and hates God that God reacts with perfect hatred. We like David have to hate evil doers as well; not with the attitude that we are pursuing personal revenge, but that God would punish them in his time.

Is there such a thing as a heavenly prayer language?

To those in the Charismatic and Pentecostal communities, the question is a no-brainer. They are convinced there is a heavenly language spoken of in the Bible. If so, where would one find this language? In 1 Corinthians 13 and 14. 

In 1 Corinthians 13:1 we read, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels..." Now, when Paul says he speaks with the tongues of angels, is he speaking literally or figuratively? It would have to be figuratively. Every time an angel spoke in the Bible, they spoke in the language of the people they were talking to - not in some "angel talk". Yet many have determined that speaking with the tongues of angels is speaking in tongues. How they come to that conclusion is a mystery to me. 

Are there two different gifts of tongues in the Bible?

The reason I present this question is because there are those that believe and teach there are two types of tongues in scripture - one for the Church in public use that requires interpretation (not translation in the Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches),  and one for private use (which requires no interpretation because it is between the speaker and God alone).  Why is this so? I believe because of a misunderstanding of what Paul is describing in 1 Corinthians 14. In verses 18 and 19 Paul says, "I thank God I speak in tongues more than all of you. Yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue." 

There is no account in scripture where Paul spoke in tongues. But we know he did because he tells the Church at Corinth so. But Paul says something interesting. He says he rather speak only a few words in his native tongue to the Church so that he can instruct and edify others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Why would Paul say that? Because he understood the superiority of edifying the Church than edifying one's self  by speaking in a foreign tongue that no one could understand, not even him (1 Cor 14:4).

Also, this supposed "second tongue" for private prayer cannot be found in the Bible. So what is going on? Why are so many speaking in unintelligible speech and saying that is a heavenly language or tongues? They are misinterpreting 1 Cor 14:4 which reads, "He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the Church." 

What the Charismatic is saying is that when one speaks in this ecstatic speech (or what they call tongues), it is some type of esoteric prayer on a heavenly level that is a greater form of worship (some believe) than if one spoke in their native tongue to God in prayer. Also, it is a way to build one's self up in the Holy Spirit. And by the way, this gift is available to every Christian and does not need to be interpreted because it is strictly between the tongue speaker and God alone.  

Paul made it clear that anyone that spoke in a tongue were to pray that they may interpret (1 Cor 14:5,27). Now keep in mind when Paul mentions tongues, he is not talking about a heavenly language or gibberish for gibberish or non language cannot be translated because it has no meaning.

This is the difference between the tongues spoken in the assembly vs the one spoken privately in one's prayer closet. I grew up in the Charismatic movement from the age of 13-24, and I have never witnessed a genuine manifestation of the gift of language and an interpretation of that foreign language. 

All I experienced and practiced were the current counterfeit manifestations.  

What about using tongues as a means of spiritual warfare?

One of the main passages used for tongues as a means of  wrestling against the unseen forces of evil in heavenly places is Ephesians 6:18, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for this purpose with all perseverance for all saints".

The phrase "In the Spirit" is the what Charismatics believe is the phrase that justifies them engaging in what I believe is a foolish practice at best, and perhaps a demonic practice at the worst. Why do I say demonic? Because there are pagan groups like Tibetan monks and foreign tribes that chant in unknown tongues that are not of the Spirit of God. The genuine gift of tongues was always human languages not known by the speaker but understood by the hearers as witnessed on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The phrase "In the Spirit" simply means by the leading of the Holy Spirit, not uttering ecstatic speech as a means of spiritual warfare.

Other passages used to justify what they believe is spiritual warfare are: Romans 8:26 and Jude 1:20.

Conclusion

There are ongoing debates regarding whether the Biblical gift of  tongues has ceased or is operative today. What I am arguing is there is no such thing as a personal private heavenly language to build one's self up. There is a great divide regarding this matter also. Those that practice this ecstatic speech are considered the "haves", and those who do not are the "have-nots" spiritually speaking.

I fall into the latter group.

Speaking in the Biblical gift of tongues was never a weapon to fight demons and fallen angels, nor was it used as a personal prayer language. The gift was manifested to advance the kingdom of God, to magnify God and his power (Acts 2:11;10:46;19:6), and it was a sign of judgment to the unbeliever (in particular unbelieving Israel, 1 Cor 14:21-22). To see how it was a sign of judgment to Israel one has to travel back to the book of Isaiah 28.

We Need Humilty!

What does mean to be humble? With all of the seminars, books, and videos that tell us to "Believe in yourself", "You can create your own reality if you can just visualize it", it's no wonder why people today have very little or no humility at all. I am by no means advocating apathy, and not having confidence in one's abilities, but like most things we do as humans, we take it to the extreme.

Too often many are overconfident in themselves to the degree that many believe they are better than those who they feel have not reached their status in life - money, education, corporate success, etc.

Humble by definition means one of low degree, one of a lowly spirit. These are adjective forms of the word. This perfectly describes Jesus who said that he was gentle and humble in heart (Matt 11:29).

To have humility is not a bad word. Some have misunderstood the term believing that to be humble is to exhibit weakness, to not have a backbone. To become a doormat.

No. Rather a humble person knows that they do not have win every argument. I believe also a humble person is a peacemaker and a fair leader - one who is willing to go the extra mile to smooth things out between adverse situations. They are looking for a better way to handle things instead of yelling and cursing and fighting to get their way.

I felt it important to discuss humility in light of everything happening with our corrupt government and the recent natural disasters the nation and other nations have and are experiencing.

I know there are an innumerable amount of people blaming God for all the catastrophes happening in our world right now. With the all the earthquakes and hurricanes hitting areas like Puerto Rico, the Carribean Islands, Turk and Caicos, Houston, TX, the state of  Florida, Mexico, et al, many believe God does not care so they are cursing his name, or have resolved in their minds that he is not real so what is the point in calling out to him.

The Prophet Daniel had a different mindset regarding the exile of the nation Israel. Daniel knew why they were in captivity. So what did Daniel do? He humbled himself and petitioned the Lord.

In Daniel 9:3-20 we read the following, 

3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand your truth.

14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and has gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people have become a reproach to all that are about us.

17 Now, therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for your city and thy people are called by your name.

20 And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God;

21 Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

We see here that Daniel made himself a committee of one to intercede to God on behalf of the nation Israel. Daniel understood why they were enslaved by their enemies; because of the disobedience of their fathers. He made it clear in verse five: We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments.

Daniel didn't get angry and curse and blaspheme God; rather he beseeched and petitioned God to forgive the nation Israel and to pardon their sin for his holy name's sake. In other words, Daniel asked God to forgive Israel in spite of their sinful rebellious ways - not because they deserved it, but because God is merciful (v 18). 

This is one of the greatest displays of humility ever recorded not just in the scripture but in human history. When we read further in Daniel chapter nine, you discover that the angel Gabriel gives Daniel understanding regarding the future of the nation.

We must learn from Daniel's outstanding humility and character. The U.S. and the world are in the mess it is in because of its countless sins. It's not God's fault things are happening the way they are - it's ours. We as a nation has turned its back on God. As a result, we are being judged in the form of earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. These calamities should serve as a wake-up call and cause us to fear God and cry out to him for repentance and mercy, but the pleasures of sin have a way of lulling people to sleep - making us dull and insensitive to God's clear warnings that he is angry.  The moment we realize that as a nation, we should collectively get on our knees and implore God's forgiveness like Daniel did 2500 years ago for the nation Israel.

Will the U.S. ever do that? I doubt it. Why? Because it is too proud. This U.S. is rushing headlong into hell unless she repents.

Listen to the wisdom in the following verses:

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride will bring him low, but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.

James 4:6b - God resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 6:17 - God hates a proud or arrogant look.

Psalm 9:17 - The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.

Matthew 23:12 - And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (Jesus speaking). 

A humble man is a righteous man. He will not be quick to point the finger at others when he knows the problems he is facing is most likely because of his own sins. He will cry out to God for mercy - realizing that the Lord is the solution, not the problem.

A self-righteous man is blind and will point the finger at everyone else for his problems except himself. That is why he will be brought low, or made to be humble or humiliated because of his sinful pride. 

Do we want things to get better as a nation? Then we must do what Daniel did, humble ourselves and pray.

The Lord speaking to King Solomon uttered these timeless words:

If my people, who are called by name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will hear their land. 

Now, this promise was made directly to the nation Israel, but I believe that by extension America can hear from the Lord if we humble ourselves and pray to the God who has and is blessing this nation daily despite its unfaithfulness to God.

And finally, the humble heart is never self-reliant, they are petitioners. They are people of prayer; they are intercessors like Christ, Daniel, and the prophets of old along with the apostles. They know who their source is and where their help comes from (Heb 4:16).

The proud and arrogant heart are those that are self-righteous. They are like Nebuchadnezzar who in Daniel chapter four said the following prideful words, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty" (Dan 4:30)?

The Bible says that same hour Nebuchadnezzar was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox. His body was wet with dew from heaven. His hair was grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws (Dan 4:33). The king suffered a psychological disorder called Boanthropy. Those with this condition believe they are a cow or an ox so they graze and eat grass. If you do not humble yourself, God will humiliate you. This happened to the king for seven years until his mind was restored. Fortunately for Nebuchadnezzar, he repented and praised God and gave him thanks for all things (Dan 4:34-37).

I hope those that read this realize humility is not a weakness but a strength.
Humble people pray and are exalted by God. Proud people only brag and are brought low by God.

What is the Battle of Armageddon?

The word Armageddon is the Hebrew word [Har]megiddon which means mountain or plain of Megiddo. Megiddo is located in northern Israel in the valley of Jezreel. In ancient Biblical times battles were fought there.

If you look closely at the map, you will see the half tribe of Manasseh to the left and Megiddo in the northern part of it. 

In the 15th Century B.C. Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III fought against a group of Megiddo and Kadesh rulers. There are some that believe this is the same Pharaoh Moses and Aaron confronted when they demanded that Pharaoh let the Hebrews go free in the book of Exodus. 

During the time of Joshua's and his army defeat of many kings, it is mentioned that the tribe of Manasseh (one of the 12 tribes of Israel) received the region of Megiddo (Josh 12:21).

This is also the area where King Josiah of Judah is killed in 609 B.C. when battling against Pharaoh  Neco (2 Kings 23:29 - 30, 2 Chr 35:20 - 35). 

The word Megiddo is also mentioned in I Kings 9:15, "And this is the reason for the labor force which  King Solomon raised: to build the house of the Lord, his own house, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer."

That region has been the place of several battles in history and will be the place of a final battle - in essence World War III. Revelation 16:16 says that all nations will gather themselves to fight at this place - the plains of Megiddo. Or more popularly called Armageddon.

The armies of the earth are defeated by Jesus Christ

Revelation 19:11-21, "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is the Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike the nations, and he will rule with a rod of iron. He will tread the wine press of the fury of his wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. 

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive (italics mine) into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. 

The Apostle John is miraculously transported to the future, to the end of time as a matter of fact. He sees numerous visions which he records in his revelations, hence the name of the book - Revelation [(no "S" :)]. 

The above mentioned verses describes in incredible detail a final battle which most Biblical scholars believe will take place in the plains of Meggido. This battle comprises the armies of heaven led by Jesus Christ himself against the armies of the earth led by its leaders. The result will end in a gruesome blood bath where the earth armies will lose so that horse and rider along with the nobility of the earth and with all the ignoble that side with them will be devoured by ravenous birds.

After this victory by Christ, he will usher in the Millennium which is a thousand year period of global peace (Rev 20:2-7).

Everyone will inherit eternal life

The above title is not an incorrect phrase. Everyone who will ever live soul will never die. God created the soul to exist forever. So no one ceases to exist as some have taught. There is no such things as annihilation-ism. 

The Bible in Daniel 12:1-2 says, "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such has never been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name is written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."  

What Daniel is explaining is that those who are currently dead will be resurrected, that is raised out of the grave to receive judgment. Those who died in Christ will receive everlasting life, and those who died in sin will receive eternal damnation. 

In John 5:28-29 we read Jesus speaking, "Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."

In Revelation 14:9-11, And another angel, a third followed them saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

And the last passage we need to examine is in Luke 16:23. We read of a rich man dying, and waking up in hell. Noticed that in hell his soul was wide awake and that he was fully aware of where he was - he was in torment and anguish and desired relief (vs 23-24). Why was the rich man there? Because he was evil and had apparently lived an unholy rebellious life while on earth. The rich had reached the eternal state. Or as we typically use the phrase, "He has reached the other side".

The point I am making is that whether one is in Christ or in sin, we all live forever. If one is in Jesus, you will receive a glorified body fit for heaven (Phil 3:21;1 Cor 15:51-58;1 Thess 4:13-18) If you die in sin you will receive a body fit for hell (Rev 20:11-15).  No one ever ceases to exist. 

I am not saying that we will not die. The body will eventually expire, and return to the dust from where it came, but after physical death is where eternity begins for that soul. The soul of man never dies. Once again, it either is forever with its creator or forever separated from its creator. 

Slain in the "Spirit?"

What is this practice or phenomenon known as the slain in the spirit? Well, it is when people in the Church supposedly fall out under the power of God when hands are laid on them for physical healing or some other blessing. The biggest advocate of this practice is televangelist Benny Hinn. He is notorious for waving his hands or his coat in front of people and they fall backward under the supposed power of God. 

 See what happens in this video clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvx0xjnBGh0 

To say Benny Hinn and those like him are frauds is an understatement. One does not receive the anointing of God by someone waving their hands or coat at you - ridiculous! What we are witnessing is a dog-and-pony show and not the power of God. It is utter blasphemy and shameful that men in pulpits across America would engage in this type of behavior in the name of Jesus.

To be slain in the Spirit is not biblical. It makes the true Church of Jesus Christ look foolish, yet entertaining to the uninitiated. When a Church sorely lacks Biblical exposition, it covers up with chicanery, often an overdose of music, and useless fillers to keep parishioners entertained (i.e. being slain in the Spirit). 

What happened to those who really experienced God's glory and power? 

When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, he was awestruck, afraid and ashamed. He said, "Woe is me! For I am lost! I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isa 6:5)!

Isaiah knew he was in the presence of the Almighty and was humiliated because he knew he was a sinner.

When Daniel saw visions from the Lord he was overcome, sick and retained no strength (Dan 8:27;10:9). The real power of God is often too much for a human to endure. 

When John the Apostle saw Jesus in His glory in the book of Revelation he fell down as if he was dead (Rev 1:17). Jesus told him to "fear not", strengthening him. 

These are only three accounts of the power of God. God's true power can bring one to their knees in worship and fear, but certainly, will not have someone fall out and convulse on the floor. That type of behavior is typical of one that is demon possessed.

What is God's anointing?

The Greek word for anointing is Chrisma. It means one separated by God for a special purpose and service. Jesus who is the Christ means anointed one. Christ is Jesus' title, his function and not his last name. In the OT, the anointing was symbolized by the pouring of olive oil on someone's head - setting them apart for service. This was conferred on the OT priests and kings (Ex 40:13;1 Kings 1:34,39. In the NT, the anointing is symbolized by the indwelling Holy Spirit. (1 John 2:20,27). 

Every Christian is anointed. Why? Because all Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling on the inside of them. We all have been set apart and made holy by God to serve Him and others. That is why we are here. To have the anointing of God is not a play thing! God has graciously chosen to have his Spirit dwell in us so that we can be a light in this thick sinful dark world we live in. God's anointing is not in anyone's coat that can be thrown around and people fall out supposedly subdued by God's power. This is nonsense. This madness is rehearsed, and you usually see the same suspects performing these antics every week. I know, I have personally witnessed it at churches I attended years ago. 

Concluding, I have no doubt that God's power can be an emotional experience and bring someone to their knees, but what I am against is the foolishness we see on television - often on the Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN), and other places. If you are attending a Church where this ungodly practice is occurring do yourself a favor and leave that Church immediately. If you remain, you are sacrificing Biblical substance for sensationalism which dishonors God. 

1 Corinthians 10:13

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man.  God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape that you may be able to bear it."

                                                                                                                        - 1 Corinthians 10:13


I woke up this morning with this verse on my mind for some reason so I felt I needed to write about it. Paul the writer is saying that any temptation we go through is a common temptation, it is not something strange that is happening to the believer. The word temptation in the Greek is  peirasmos which means trial or test.

When God is testing us, it is for our growth and edification. We see this clearly when God allowed Satan to severely afflict Job (see chapters 1 and 2 of Job).  Job never knew why He suffered so greatly, but what the trials taught him is to fully put his whole life in the care of His God; even if the trials cost Job his life which they almost did. 

Also, when Paul says that God will provide the way of escape that you may be able to bear it does not mean God is removing the trial from us, rather He is fortifying us through the trial that He ordained that we would endure.

Why?

Let's go to 1 Peter 1:5-9, "Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials (same Greek word peirasmos), so that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

The Apostle by inspiration of the Holy Spirit perfectly answers why we must go through trials:

1. To test and try our faith in God (vs 7)
2. For the praise and glory of God ( vs 7b)
3. To bolster our belief in God (vs 8)
4. So that one day we will see the outcome of our faith - soul salvation (vs 9)

In Acts 9:15-16 Jesus appears in a vision to one of his servants named Ananias. Jesus said to him that Paul was a chosen vessel of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and children of Israel. For I must show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.

Paul speaking to the Philippians said this, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Phil 1:29).

We know faith to be a gift from God (Eph 2:8-9), but we are not familiar or comfortable with suffering being a gift from God, are we?

The last one that I cannot leave out is in James 1:2-4, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing."

Notice what Paul says, count it or evaluate your trial and determine, make up your mind to be joyful. The trial itself is not joy, but our response to it can be one of joy because we know the trial has a redeeming benefit for us - to produce patience in us by the trial sent to humble us. The negative of this process is if we fail the test that God has sent our way, it can lead to a temptation to sin. Our attitude toward the trials is the key - will we choose to rejoice through the pain of the trial (Phil 3:1), develop patience and strengthen our faith in God, or will the trial defeat us and we throw up our hands, lose the battle and commit sin only to have to go through the same process all over again?

We all have to choose.