“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat” (Luke 22:31).

We can draw some conclusions from our past three devotionals about temptations, trials, and testing.

About temptation: Temptation is inevitable. It is not a sin to be tempted. From the time that man believed Satan’s first lie, sin entered the world. Satan became ruler of this world and is at war with God and man, using temptation as his weapon. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

But we have hope. Take to heart these words of Jesus: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John16:33).

Although it is not a sin to be tempted, it is a sin when we succumb to temptation. The Good News is that we have the promise of forgiveness for our sins when we confess. Jesus has already paid the penalty for our sin with his life; he has redeemed us from the grave. He is our Savior! Jude gives us this benediction (one of my favorite passages): “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25).

We can think about testing and trials a little differently. The simplest way is to think about the learning process, which includes absorbing the instruction, practicing or studying, and then having to pass a proficiency test. Some tests are designed to determine what you still need to learn; others may be to communicate an overall proficiency for the test group. Either way, testing is part of the learning process. We can see that it is an overall part of our discipleship process, the process of growing in sanctification, which occurs from the time of initial salvation until our final glorification.

Consider Peter. Can you imagine what Peter must have thought when Jesus told him: “’Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.’” (Luke 22:31-24).

Jesus could have prevented Satan from this sifting. Instead, Jesus warned Peter about it and then promised that he would pray for him and restore him to a position of leadership. In other words, there was a divine purpose in allowing Peter to undergo this test. We know that Peter initially failed the test, because when put on the spot during Jesus’ trial, Peter lied about even knowing Jesus. However, Peter repented, and Jesus did restore him. Because of this testing, failure, repentance, and restoration, Peter was more fully equipped to become the man of God, Apostle of Jesus Christ, and leader of the Church.

As we see in the opening passage, Peter was not singled out. Satan has asked to sift all of us. He is after us. When God allows us to be sifted, he is using the sifting, which could take the form of temptation, as part of his divine plan to equip us for His divine purposes. When we view our lives in expectation of sifting, then we are more likely to see adversity as part of God’s plan rather than just feeling like we are being dumped on. When we see our life as a test, then we are ready to use these trials as opportunities to continually prepare ourselves, and to meet these tests and trials as challenges to be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of 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).

Judy