Test versus temptations. "For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing" James 1:3-4. Most people will agree that no one likes going through a test or temptation. According to James here, going through a test is good for us because it is the only way we grow, going through a test is how we mature. God does test his children. However, a test is different from a temptation. "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong and he never tempts anyone else." James 1:12-13. A test can come from God, but temptations are from the devil. A test moves us towards completeness and perfection, temptation on the other hands just wants us to see how much we are failing. A test seeks to build endurance, a temptation seeks to reinforce weaknesses. A test seeks to prove our maturity, temptations comes just to separate us from our relationship with God. Note however that; to receive the crown of life and truly mature, both tes and temptation are necessary. That tells me that every Christian will likely face both test and temptation. I have come to discover that one single situation can be both a test and a temptation; Satan thought he was tempting Jesus after he had fasted for 40 days and nights, but the situation was also a test of Jesus' understanding of his sonship and maturity, he would return from that experience in the power of the Holy Spirit.
