Do NOT Tempt God

testing, tempting God

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
–Matthew 4:1,5-7

Based on a fairly recent discussion, there appears to be some confusion concerning the Bible’s warning to “not tempt the LORD thy God.”

A question was asked, “How can someone tempt God?  What can a man have that God doesn’t have? I don’t understand.”

It was then explained that “tempt God” means “put God to the test.”

As the 1599 Geneva Bible note to Deuteronomy 6:16 put it: “tempt” means

By doubting his power, refusing lawful means, and abusing his graces.

DO NOT TEST GOD.

Back to that not-long-ago discussion.

The following example was then given.

One does not climb to the top of a tall building and say “I’m going to throw myself off of this building.  God, save me.”

That is testing God–and it does not work out favorably for the person putting God to the test.  It is EXACTLY the sort of thing the devil tried to tempt Jesus with in Matthew 4.

Putting God to the test ACTUALLY demonstrates a lack of faith on the part of the person testing God.

In effect, it is saying to God, “Show me your power.”  Which is NEVER a good thing to say to God.

God is NOT a familiar spirit who demonstrates His power to the faithless because someone wants to see a parlor trick.

The Bible warns NOT to tempt (try or test) God.

Do not tempt the LORD.

“Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.”
–Deuteronomy 6:16

[An account of the Israelites tempting God at Massah can be found in Exodus 17:1-7

The place where the account happened was called Massah, which means “temptation.”]

HAS the reader ever been in a situation where he put God to the test?

HAS the reader ever said (out loud or to himself) “Okay God, if you get me out of this, I promise I’ll be good”?–which could be considered an abuse of God’s grace.

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: January 22, 2020.]

MORE: Do Not Put God to the Test

MORE: Snake Handling: Tempting God

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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

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