A Prayer to Discern the Difference between Tests, Temptations, and Trials - Your Daily Prayer - March 30 

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;” - James 1:13

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My wife was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive form of cancer a while back. With that diagnosis, my world and my faith turned upside down, and I found myself asking a bunch of questions I never thought I would ask. Was God testing us? Did God give my wife cancer to see if we would be faithful? Was this an assault by the evil one, showing that God wasn’t with us or protecting us? Maybe if we had more faith, this wouldn’t have happened. Was this just a happenstance of life, and if so, where was God? Make no mistake, these are difficult questions to ask and sit with.

What is the difference between a test, a temptation, and a trial?

Test: In the scholastic world, tests are exams designed for us to prove ourselves, to show our knowledge, our skill, or our worth. Importantly, these tests are binary in nature. Regardless of the range of letter grades, testing boils down to two options. You either pass or you fail. Does God test in the same manner? No.

God tests us not to see if we will fail but to give us the opportunity to exercise our faith. Interestingly, although scripture is open about God testing people, we never read about someone “failing the test.” God never lambasts someone for flunking a divine exam. This is because tests are invitations to experience God's miraculous and merciful presence. 

Temptation: This is fundamentally different than a test. We all instinctively know what a temptation is. Temptation is a spiritual assault, a wooing of desire to step outside the will and the way of God. All temptations are rooted in a displacement of God. We focus on our desires, kingdoms, and satisfaction rather than God’s desire for our lives. And like Adam and Eve in the Garden, temptations always leave us feeling condemned. 

Trial: So, if a test is something that God places in our path as an invitation to step out in faith, and if a temptation is the felt desire to step away from God, well, then what is a trial? Simply put, a trial is the frailty of life. Sometimes, life happens. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. And that meeting of frailty to frailty can cause life to turn difficult at times. A trial may be an unwelcome diagnosis, grieving over a loved one’s death, a job loss, an accident, or something you never thought would ever happen to you. 

Now, these definitions can be helpful. Looking back, I can say that my wife’s cancer was not a test, nor was it a temptation. It was but part of the frailty of life – a trial we had to go through in the presence of the one who journeys with us. But let’s be honest: it can be hard to parse these theological concepts when facing difficulty. The definitions slip from our minds as emotions overcome us. In those places, all we feel is the weight of all we face. 

So, here’s the essential thing: regardless of what we find ourselves in—tests, temptations, or trials—the grace of Christ surrounds us, as does the power of the Holy Spirit. And so, no matter what, we can approach Jesus in confidence.

Let’s Pray:

Gracious Lord, I thank you for surrounding me with grace and love and for being a constant presence in my life. Lord, I am reminded that your word tells me that if any of us lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously and without reproach. And so, Lord, I ask for your wisdom in discerning the difference between a test, a trial, and a temptation. I thank you for providing opportunities that demand my best efforts. I thank you for bringing me to places and times that give me the opportunity to rely on you, to stretch myself out in faith and trust. Help me recognize those moments in my life—and give me the boldness to reach out to you.  When I am tempted, when the evils of the world seem to close in on my life, Lord, open my eyes to see your presence. Help me to know that the temptations I face do not make you flee from me. Give me the resolve of faith to lean on your presence when I feel besieged by the things of the world. And in those times that I succumb to temptation, remind me of your forgiveness and love, and help me turn to you again. I pray for all this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

Photo Credit Nik Shuliahin/Unsplash

The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada.  He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others.  He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca.  He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.

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