The Greek word for tempted is peirazó and means to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt
3985 peirázō (from 3984 /peíra, “test, trial”) – “originally to test, to try which was its usual meaning in the ancient Greek and in the LXX” (WP, 1, 30). “The word means either test or tempt”
This is the same word used in both Matthew 4:1, Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be ‘tempted’ by the devil, and in 1 Corinthians 10:13, …God will not allow you to be ‘tempted’ above what you are able to bear.
Now the good news:
Hebrews 4:15-16,
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been ‘tempted’ in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
Paul tells the Corinthians that God provides a way of escape from every temptation common to man, 1 Corinthians 10:13. That way is Christ, who is able to come to our aid when we are tempted, Hebrews 2:18. So we may draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, and through Him, we will receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need, [see Hebrews 4:16].
This does not mean we will not struggle with temptations. It means He will help us endure them. As the writer of Hebrews said,
Hebrews 12:4-8,
4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;
6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
What do all legitimate children of God have in common? They all follow the example Jesus left for them and learn obedience from the things which they suffer, such as temptations and trials of their faith.
Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
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