Beware of Putting God to the Test!

After His baptism Christ was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by Satan. Those temptations took three forms, as recorded in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 1) turn the stones into bread and use His power as the Son of God to satisfy His appetites 2) to worship Satan so He could attain the kingdoms of the world and bypass the cross 3) to jump off the pinnacle of the temple, attract dramatic attention to Himself, and test God. As children of God Satan still tempts us in all three of these areas. Today however I would like to examine Christ’s temptation to test God. 

Even if the Jewish temple was still there, I doubt Satan would tempt any of us to jump off it. But are there other ways we are tempted to put God to the test, or tempt Him?  

First, let me say that there is a time when God does say to “test” Him, and that is in Malachi 3:10 where He says, “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse….test me in this, says the LORD Almighty…” God promises to honor that kind of faith. 

But there is another kind of test that God forbids. The Hebrew word Nacah means “to put to the test, try or tempt.” This word is found in Deut. 6:16 where God says, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.” At Massah the Israelites were in the desert without water, they grumbled against God, and did not believe that God would provide the water He knew they needed. 

Friend, how do you react when you are faced with a situation that seems difficult or maybe even impossible? Do you complain and doubt God’s love and ability to provide? Do you demand that He “prove” Himself and meet your need or you won’t believe in Him? These actions are sin. They dishonor God and reveal a heart of unbelief. 

If this sounds like you, I encourage you to repent, decide that with God’s help you will look to Him in faith the next time you face a crisis. Tell Him you know He is able to provide your needs and trust Him. He IS faithful!