Psa.34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all
Acts 14:22 - We must through much tribulation enter the Kingdom
1Cor.10:13a - No temptation taken you but such as is common to man
1Thes.3:3 - No man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto
Heb.12:7 - What son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
1Pet.4:12 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try (test) you
1Pet.4:17 - Judgment must begin at the house of God...at us
1Pet.5:9 - Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren
(See also Psa.26:2; 139:23,24.)
Jam.4:2 - Ye lust, and have not...desire to have, and cannot obtain
A. Often God will grant your heart's desire:
Psa.37:4 - Delight thyself in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart
Psa.84:11 - No good thing will He withhold from them (the upright) Psa.145:19a He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him
Pro.10:24b - The desire of the righteous shall be granted
(See also Psa.21:2; 145:16.)
B. But sometimes He withholds it because it's not His time:
Eccl.3:1-8 - There is...a time to every purpose under the heaven
(See also Psa.37:34; Eccl.8:5,6.)
C. Or because it would choke out your fruitfulness:
Mk.4:7,19 - The lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful (See Mat.13:22; Lk.8:14.)
D. Or seriously stumble or offend others:
1Thes.5:22 - Abstain [even] from all appearance of evil
Rom.14:14-16, 21 - Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died (See also 1Cor.8:8-13)
E. Or bring reproach on the Lord's work or ministry:
2Sam.12:14 - By this deed [murdering Uriah] thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme
2Cor.6:3 - Giving no offence...that the ministry be not blamed
(See also 2Pet.2:2)
F. Or because of unrepented sin in your heart:
Jer.5:25 - Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you
(See also Psa.66:18; Isa.59:1,2.)
G. Or because you're asking with the wrong motives:
Jam.4:2,3 - Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts
H. It's not always good to get the desire of your heart:
Psa.73:3,7,16-22 - I was envious at...prosperity...they have more than heart could wish...then understood I their end
1Tim.6:9,10 - They that will(desire to) be rich fall into temptation...and many hurtful lusts...erred from the faith
I. You may miss something better God had planned for you:
Psa.81:10-13,16 - He would have fed them the finest of wheat...honey
J. Nonetheless, we have trials when we can't have something:
1Sam.1:6b-8, 10 - The Lord had shut up her womb...therefore she wept... heart grieved...bitterness of soul
Pro.13:12a - Hope deferred maketh the heart sick
(See also 2Sam.13:1,2)
K. Warning against stubbornly insisting on getting your way:
Psa.78:27-31 - He gave them their own desire...their lust. But...the wrath of God came (See also Psa.81:12)
Psa.106:14,15 - He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul (See also Num.11:4-34)
(See 1Sam.8:4-22; 12:1,13,16-19 - re: asking for a king)
L. What you give up for the Lord, He will often return:
Gen.22:1-12 - [God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, then stops him and lets him keep Isaac] (See also Heb.11:17-19)
Heb.6:15 - After he patiently endured, he obtained the promise
(See also Eccl.11:1; Heb.10:36.)
A. To draw you closer to Him:
Psa.107:12,13 - He brought down their heart with labour... then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble
B. To see what's in your heart and if you will remain true:
Exo.20:20 - God is come to prove (test) you
Deut.8:2 - The Lord...[tested you] to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments
Deut.13:3,4 - God...proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord
Judg.2:21,22 - [God kept adversaries in the land to] prove Israel, whether they keep the way of the Lord, or not
Jer.12:3a - Thou knowest me...Thou hast...tried my heart
Jer.17:10 - I the Lord search the heart...to give every man according to his ways, and...the fruit of his doings
Jn.6:5,6 - This He said to prove (test) him, for He Himself knew
C. To draw you closer to His Word:
Psa.94:12 - Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of Thy law
Psa.119:71 - It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes
D. To prune away dead wood so you can be more fruitful:
Jn.15:2b - Every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth(prunes), that it may bring forth more fruit
E. To teach you obedience:
Heb.5:8 - Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered (See also Heb.2:10)
1Pet.4:1,2 - He that...suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
F. To make you a better and more useful vessel:
Jer.18:4 - The vessel that he (the potter) made of clay was marred...so he made it again another vessel
1Cor.5:7 - Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump
2Tim.2:21 - [If purged]...he shall be a vessel...meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work
G. To purify you as precious metal is refined:
Mal.3:3 - He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver
Zech.13:9a - I will bring [them] through the fire, and refine them
Psa.66:10 - Thou, O God, hast...tried us, as silver is tried
Job 23:10 - When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold
Pro.17:3 - The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts
Isa.48:10 - I have refined thee...in the furnace of affliction
Dan.11:35 - [They] shall fall, to try them...and to make them white
1Pet.1:7 - The trial of your faith (is) much more precious than gold...though it be tried with fire
(See also Isa.1:25)
H. To prepare you for future blessings and exalted ministries:
Deut.8:16 - That He might humble thee...and prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end
Psa.105:17-22 - [Joseph imprisoned, abased and tested, then exalted]
Pro.18:12b - Before honour is humility
I. To teach you patience:
Rom.5:3b - Tribulation worketh (teaches us) patience
Jam.1:3,4 - The trying of your faith worketh patience
J. To make you wiser through sorrow:
Eccl.7:3,4 - Sorrow is better than laughter: for by...sadness...the heart is made better
K. To teach you compassion towards others:
Heb.4:15 - Be touched with the feeling of [others'] infirmities
2Cor.1:4 - That we may be able to comfort them...in trouble
A. Willingly and joyfully suffer loss of position or possessions:
Job 1:21 - The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord
Acts 20:23,24 - Bonds and afflictions...none of these things move me, neither count I [even] my life dear
Phi.3:8 - I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ
Heb.10:34 - Ye...took joyfully the spoiling of your goods
B. Lay aside weights to run the race:
Heb.12:1 - Let us lay aside every weight...and let us run the race
1Cor.9:24 - So run, that ye may obtain (the prize)
Phi.3:13,14 - Forgetting those things which are behind...I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
C. The futility of trying to hang onto things:
Pro.23:5 - Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly...fly away
Lk.12:15 - A man's life consisteth not in...things he possesseth
(See also Eccl.5:13-15; 1Tim.6:7.)
D. Paul's trials in missing loved ones:
(See Phi.1:7,8; 1Thes.2:17,18; 1Thes.3:10; 2Tim.1:3,4.)
E. The Lord wants you to love Him first of all:
Psa.73:25 - Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee
Psa.142:4,5 - Refuge failed me; no man cared... Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living
Isa.54:1,5,6 - Sing...for thy Maker is thine husband...the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken
Jn.16:32 - Ye...shall leave Me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me
Gen.21:9-11 - And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight [to send away Hagar and his son Ishmael]
Gen.26:34,35 - [Esau disobeyed and married pagans] which were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah (Also Gen.27:46; 28:8.)
Exo.4:10-13 - [Moses felt incapable to speak to the Hebrew nation]
Num.11:10-12, 14 - [Moses said:] I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me
Judg.6:14,15 - [Gideon felt incapable to be the deliverer of Israel]
Ruth 1:12,13 - [Naomi, unable to help her daughters-in-law, said:] It grieveth me much for your sakes
1Sam.30:1-6 - [David's men grieved at the loss of wives and families]
1Ki.19:1-4,10 - [Elijah, persecuted and feeling all alone, prayed to die]
Psa.6:6-8 - [David's tears and grief because his enemies triumphed]
Psa.38:4-9 - [David's trials about an unhealed affliction]
Psa.102:1-8 - [David's deep trial because of his enemies' reproach] (See also Psa.69:16-20)
Jer.15:10 - [Jeremiah's depths of despair over being rejected, despised and mocked See also Jer.20:7-10,14,18]
Jon.3:4,5,10; 4:1-9 - [When things didn't work as he'd hoped, Jonah was so angry and displeased, he wished to die]
Lk.10:40 - [Martha, working alone, felt unfairly over-burdened]
Jn.21:17 - Peter grieved [because Jesus seemed to be bringing his love and loyalty into question]
2Cor.1:8 - [Paul's] trouble...we were pressed above strength, so we despaired even of life (See also 2Cor.4:8; 7:5.)
Isa.53:3-9 - [Jesus' sorrows and trials]
A. For the sake of lost souls:
2Tim.2:10 - I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain...salvation
Isa.53:10-12 - [God "put Jesus to grief" to save our souls]
B. Because you'll be spiritually stronger as a result:
2Cor.4:16 - We faint not; (for) though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day
2Cor.12:9,10 - My (Jesus') strength is made perfect in weakness...that the power of Christ may rest upon me (Paul)
C. Because God will reward you after testing you:
Psa.66:12 - Thou hast caused [us to go] through fire and water: but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place
Heb.12:11 - No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward...[good] fruit
Jam.5:11 - Endure. Ye have heard of...Job, and have seen the end... the Lord is of tender mercy (See Job 42:10-17)
(See also Psa.118:5; Lam.3:32.)
D. Heavenly rewards:
Rom.8:18 - The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be...in us
2Cor.4:17 - Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us (an)...eternal weight of glory
Jam.1:12 - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation...he shall receive the crown of life
1Pet.4:13 - Ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings...when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also
(See also 1Jn.2:17; Rev.21:7.)
A. God uses your trials and temptations for good:
Rom.8:28 - All things work together for good to...the called
Jam.1:2-4 - Count it joy when ye fall into diverse temptations
1Pet.1:6 - Rejoice, though now for a season ye are in heaviness
B. Chastenings prove God loves you and that you're His child:
Deut.8:5 - As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord chasteneth
Pro.3:11,12 - My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord
Heb.12:5-12 - Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth...every son
Rev.3:19 - As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten
(See also Job 5:17; Psa.11:5; 1Cor.11:32.)
C. Remember that sorrow will give way to joy:
Psa.30:5 - Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning
Mat.5:4 - Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted
1Pet.5:10 - God... after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you
A. How to help them:
Job 6:14 - To him that is afflicted pity should be showed
Job 19:21 - Have pity upon me...the hand of God hath touched me
Rom.15:1,2 - We...ought to bear the infirmities of the weak
1Cor.12:25,26 - Whether one member suffer, all...suffer with it
Gal.6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens
Heb.13:3 - Remember them...which suffer, as being yourselves also in the body
B. Encourage and strengthen them:
Job 16:4,5 - I would strengthen you with my mouth...asswage grief
Isa.50:4 - Speak a word in season to him that is weary
Pro.12:25 - Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad
C. Admonish them with hearty counsel:
Pro.27:9 - Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel
Col.3:16 - Let the Word of Christ dwell in you...teaching and admonishing one another...singing
A. From our own lusts:
Jam.1:13,14 - Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed
1Jn.2:15,16 - The lust of the flesh and...eyes...is of the world
B. They are also instigated by the devil:
Gen.3:1-6,13 - [Eve:] The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat
1Chr.21:1,7,8 - Satan...provoked David to...(sin and do foolishly)
Mat.4:1-7 - [Jesus was tempted of the devil, "the tempter"]
Lk.22:31 - Simon, Satan hath desired to...sift you as wheat
(See also 1Thes.3:5; 2Cor.11:3.)
Mat.6:13a - [Pray:] Lead us not into temptation
A. Avoid the pathway to temptation:
Pro.4:14 - Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not
Pro.4:15 - Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away
Mat.7:13,14 - Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way...to destruction
2Tim.2:22a - Flee also youthful lusts
B. Beware of those who would entice you:
Psa.1:1,2 - (Walk) not in the counsel of the ungodly
Pro.1:10 - If sinners entice thee, consent thou not
Pro.16:29 - A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good
2Pet.3:17 - Beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your steadfastness
(See also Pro.22:24,25; 2Pet.2:18,19.)
C. Know your weaknesses, and be on guard against them:
Rom.13:14 - Make not provision (forethought, plans) for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof
Gal.6:1b - Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted
D. Warning re: evil, beguiling influences and "entertainment":
Deut.7:25,26 - [Do not] bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: utterly detest it
Psa.101:3 - I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes
Psa.106:35,36 - They were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. Their idols...were a snare unto them
2Cor.11:3 - Lest...as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted
2Pet.2:7,8 - Lot...in seeing and hearing [filthy Sodomites], vexed (tormented) his righteous soul...with their unlawful deeds
A. Keep your eyes on Jesus:
Heb.11:27 - He (Moses) endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible
Heb.12:2,3 - Looking unto Jesus...consider Him...lest ye...faint
(See also Pro.4:25; Col.3:2,3.)
B. Pray and ask the Lord to help you:
Psa.17:5 - Hold up my goings in Thy paths...that my footsteps slip not
Psa.56:13 - Thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not Thou deliver my feet from falling?
Mat.6:13a - Lead us not into temptation...deliver us from evil
Mat.26:41 - Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation (See also Lk.21:36)
Mat.18:19,20 - [Have others pray with you in special times of temptation] (See also Jam.5:16)
C. Resist the devil:
Eph.4:27 - Neither give place to the devil
Jam.4:7 - Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
D. Cling to the Word:
Psa.119:80 - Let my heart be sound in Thy statues; that I be not ashamed
Jn.15:3 - Now ye are clean through the Word
2Pet.1:4 - Precious promises: that by these ye might...(escape) the corruption that is in the world through lust
Rev.3:10 - Because thou hast kept the Word...I will keep thee
E. Be willing to give up your own desires out of love for Jesus:
Gal.5:16 - Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh
Gal.5:24 - They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts
Eph.4:20-23 - Put off...the old man...the deceitful lusts
(See also Rom.6:16; Phi.3:8.)
F. Exercise willpower and determine not to yield to temptation:
Rom.6:13 - Neither yield ye your members...unto sin
1Cor.9:27 - I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection
1Cor.16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you (behave) like men, be strong
2Tim.2:3 - Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
2Tim.2:22 - Flee youthful lusts: but follow righteousness
1Pet.1:14 - As obedient children, not (conforming) to former lusts
1Pet.2:11 - Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul
(See also 1Cor.10:5,6)
G. Fear the Lord and be afraid to disobey Him:
Pro.14:27 - The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death
Pro.16:6b - By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil
Pro.23:17 - Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long
1Sam.12:24 - Fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart
H. Be serious and sober about serving the Lord:
Tit.2:12 - Denying...worldly lusts, we should live soberly...in this present world
1Thes.5:8 - Let us...be sober, putting on the [armour of God]
1Pet.1:13 - Gird up...your mind, be sober, and hope to the end
1Pet.4:7 - The end...is at hand: be ye therefore sober
1Pet.5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil...walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
I. Keep your heart and mind on the final goal:
Heb.11:25,26 - Choosing rather to suffer affliction...than to enjoy pleasures of sin...for he had respect to the reward
Heb.12:2 - (Jesus) for the joy set before Him, endured the cross
A. God's promises to help you:
2Pet.2:9 - Lord knoweth how to deliver godly out of temptations
1Cor.10:13b - God...will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will...also make a way to escape
1Cor.15:57 - Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
Heb.2:18 - He is able to succour (help) them that are tempted
B. Jesus has compassion on us, knowing what it's like:
Heb.4:15 - (Jesus) was in all points tempted like as we are
C. He is with you when you go through temptation:
Isa 43:1 - Fear not: I have called thee by name; thou art Mine
Isa.43:2 - When thou passest through waters, I will be with thee
1Pet.4:19 - Let them that suffer...commit the keeping of their souls to Him...as unto a faithful Creator
(See also Deut.4:30,31)
A. Example of Lot going astray and losing all:
Gen.13:5,6 - Lot...had flocks and herds and tents...substance was great
Gen.13:8-11 - [Lot is attracted to the well-watered Jordan valley]
Gen.13:12,13 - Lot...pitched his tent toward [wicked] Sodom
Gen.14:11-16 - [Lot, living near Sodom, taken captive with Sodomites]
Gen.19:1,2 - [Lot "sat in the gate of Sodom" as a judge(Gen:19:9), and lived in a house inside Sodom]
Gen.19:24-30 - [Lot lost everything he owned and ended up in a cave]
(See also Ezk.3:20; Rev.3:11.)
B. Example of Balaam the prophet:
(Compare Num.22:1-21; 24:2,10,11,15,19; 25:1-3; 31:16; Josh.13:22; 2Pet.2:15; Jude 11; Rev.2:14.)
C. The fall of King Solomon:
2Sam.12:24 - Bathsheba...bare Solomon...and the Lord loved him
Neh.13:26 - Solomon...was beloved of his God...nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin
1Ki.11:1-8 - King Solomon loved many strange women...his wives turned away his heart after other gods
1Ki.11:9-11 - The Lord was angry with Solomon (and said), I will rend the kingdom from thee, and give it to thy servant
D. Other examples of people falling through temptation:
Gen.3:1-6 - (Eve) saw the tree was good for food...pleasant to the eyes, and to be desired to make one wise...did eat
Gen.25:29-34 - [Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for some pottage]
Josh.7:1,20,21 - (Achan coveted) a goodly Babylonish garment...silver and a wedge of gold
1Ki.13:1-28 - [Young prophet tempted to disobey by the old prophet]
2Ki.5:20-27 - [Gehazi coveted Namaan's goods; was struck leprous]
A. Beware of lusting after shallow, deceitful beauty:
Pro.6:25 - Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her (eyelashes)
Pro.31:30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised
1Jn.2:15,16 - The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, is not of the Father but is of the world
(See also Isa.3:16,18-24; 1Pet.3:3,4.)
B. Beware of being beguiled by the worldly:
Job 31:1 - I made a covenant with mine eyes; when then should I think upon a [worldly] maid?
Pro.7:6-21 - With her much fair speech she caused him to yield
2Pet.2:18 - They speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh...wantonness
C. The bitter end result of being beguiled:
Pro.5:3-13 - The lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb... but her end is bitter...thou mourn at the last
Pro.7:21,22 - He goeth after her...as an ox goeth to the slaughter
Pro.7:23 - As a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life (See also Pro.6:26)
Pro.14:12 - A way which seemeth right, but the end thereof...death
(See also Judg.16:4-6,16,21; Pro.7:25-27; 9:13-18; 23:27,28; 2Sam.13:1-3,28,29.)
D. Resist it with the power of the Word:
Pro.2:1-13 - My commandments...preserveth the way of His saints... to deliver thee from the way of the evil man
Pro.2:16,17 - To deliver thee from the strange woman (See also vs. Pro:1-11)
Pro.6:23,24 - The commandment is a lamp; and the law is light...to keep thee from the flattery of...a strange woman
Lk.4:5-12 - [Jesus resisted devil's temptations by quoting the Word]
(See also Pro.7:1-5)
Gen.14:21-23 - [Abraham refused rewards from the king of Sodom]
2Ki.5:15,16 - [Naaman urged Elisha to take gifts; Elisha refused]
Job 2:9,10 - [Job refused to sin with his lips and curse God]
Jer.35:5,6 - [The Rechabites obediently refused to drink wine]
Dan.1:8 - [Daniel refused to defile himself eating unclean food]
Acts 8:18-20 - [Peter refused Simon the sorcerer's money]
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family International