Growing up, I always struggled with the difference between these two words as far as faith is concerned. They always seemed like the same thing, so in my head I used them interchangeably In my mind, God would tempt/test us to do things and then how we reacted would either prove something to him or ourselves.
But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized that there is a big difference between the two words, especially as they relate to God. More than anything each word correspond to the heart of the one bringing the trial upon you.
God tests us, because he knows we can succeed. Satan tempts us because he wants us to fail. It may be the same situation but the heart of why it’s happening determines what it is. And it may be both at the same time:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Just like in the case of Job, Satan wanted to bring hardship on Job to prove he wasn’t as great a follower of God as God himself thought. Satan wanted to tempt Job into failing. God did allow this, but as it says in 1 Corinthians, God also knew that Job could withstand the trial, so God wast testing Job. Same situation, different reasons and therefore different words.
What we call it also has to do with how we come out of it. If we make it to the other side without any moral or spiritual failure, we call it a test or trial, if we “fall off the wagon” so to speak, then we say we fell to temptation. Again, it may be the same, but what we call it defines how we went through that moment in life.
you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 13:3
It says God tests us to find out if we love him. He knows whether or not we do. What he really is doing is making sure we know if we love him or not. God knows that Christians that sit on the fence can be some of the most dangerous to the Gospel. The world looks at people that aren’t sold out and wonder why they should change if it’s no different on the inside of the church. That’s why God says he will vomit fence sitters out of his mouth. It’s better for us to pick a side than try to play pretend or be friends with the world and God.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
So where does that put us. With the knowledge that when a hard time feels like a temptation, Satan is lurking awfully close. We need to hold tight to Jesus’ hand and let him guide us out situations, even if we’re the reason the situation exists in the first place. We don’t always leave it without negative consequences, but if we lean on Jesus, we will escape, and we’ll be stronger in our relationship with God because of it.
In the end, if you feel tempted to do something know that Satan, that roaring lion, is looking to trip you up and send you down the rabbit hole. But God, in this test will help you if you ask. Even if it’s after you’ve hit the bottom, there isn’t a rabbit hole deep enough that God can’t reach in and pull you out.
