UNDERSTAND BAIT? TRY TO UNDERSTAND TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS...
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I. LET US DEFINE SOME TERMS WE NEED TO DEVELOP:
Seasons of test are neither good or bad, they are neutral. It is how we handle these situations...
A. UNDERSTAND: to know meaning or know how, to grasp, to be familiar, to achieve,
B. TRIAL: A SOURCE OF VEXATION, to test for value for a period of time,
to test the value, quality, or usefulness; to test one's abilities to do something; to check out
performance; putting to proof; examination to determine, A TEST OF FAITH, PATIENCE, OR STAMINA,
TO SUBJECT TO SUFFERING OR TEMPTATION,
C. TEMPTATION: a strong urge or desire to do something, enticement, lure,
D. TROUBLE: worried, anxious, concerned, Problems or difficulties, distress,
E. TO AGIGATE MENTALY, PHYSICAL OR SPIRITUALLY, to confuse, complain,
To make someone worried, upset or bothered, to cause pain,
F. STORMS: to attack something,
a situation in which one becomes, angry, upset, or bothered, a disturbance, agitated state,
occurrence of something in a differing amount,
G. BAIT: a trap in order to attract, to try and make someone angry.
II. DO WE REALIZE GOD IS SEARCHING FOR PEOPLE THAT WILL PRACTICE UNDERSTANDING...
A. THERE ARE SOME TRAITS THE FATHER DESIRES US TO DEVELOP AND GROW...
Psalm 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were
any that did understand, and seek God.
B. Those that have understanding applies great effort to KEEP GOD'S WORD.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they
that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
III. MANY ARE SATISFIED TO STAY THE SAME AND NEVER GROW, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES...
GOD GIVES A FREE GIFT TO THOSE THAT ARE STABLE IN SEEKING...
A. Are you like a horse or a mule in understanding?
Psalm 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must
be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
B. God's tender mercy plan is GIVE WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING, the question is:
DO YOU WANT UNDERSTANDING?
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him.
C. Understanding and wisdom require EFFORT and for one to apply themselves...
Understanding is not AUTOMATIC...
Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
IV. SOLOMON IS AT A DANGEROUS JUNCTION IN HIS LIFE... LOOK WHAT HE DESIRES?
A. SOLOMON IS YOUNG AND KNOWS HE NEEDS HELP.
1 Kings 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern
between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
B. GOD IS PLEASED WITH SOLOMON'S REQUEST...
1 Kings 3:11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself
long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked
for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have
given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after
thee shall any arise like unto thee.
V. MANY SUFFER GREATLY ASSUMING WITH MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT TRIALS, STORMS AND
TROUBLES... NOTHING CREATES DEEPER ANXIETIES AND WORRY THAN TO THING YOU WILL BE
EXEMPT FROM TESTINGS, TRIALS AND STORMS... IN THIS TRIAL IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY...
A. Perhaps some modern teaching suggest you will have a new car, a big boat and an airplane, you
must be failing if you do not?
James 1:2 (KJV) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
B. Some accept Jesus and EXPECT ALL PROBLEMS TO CEASE OR AT LEAST BE DECREASED?
NOT SO!
James 1:2 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity
for great joy.
VI. IT IS SO EASY TO BECOME DISCOURAGED WHEN WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE BATTLE
GOES FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE... THIS IS WAR...
A. IN A FEW DAYS GOD GOT THE PEOPLE OUT OF EGYPT, IT TOOK 40 YEARS TO GET
EGYPT OUT THE PEOPLE.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
B. THE CHILDREN OF ISREAL HAD TO BE LEAD THE EASY WAY BECAUSE THEY FEAR THE
DIRECT ROUTE TO THE PROMISE LAND... THEY DID NOT WANT TO BATTLE...
VII. TEMPTATION IS NOT A SIN, JESUS WAS TEMPTED... AND HE WAS SINLESS...
A. OUR ENEMY WANTS US TO PLAY THE BLAME GAME...
BLAME THE ENEMY? BLAME OTHERS?
B. JESUS CAME NOT INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN US...
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might
be saved.
C. UNDERSTAND THE ENEMY'S TACTICS TO GET US TO FEEL UNWORTHY, DEFICIENT AND IRRITATED
WITH SELF AND OTHERS.James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
VIII. GOD NEVER TEMPTS, UNDERSTAND THE SOURCE OF TEMPTATION IS OUR ENEMY
A. UNDERSTAND ALL TEMPTATION'S SOURCE...
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil,
neither tempteth he any man:
B. UNDERTAND THE SATAN PURPOSE TO GET YOU TO QUIT...
GOD CAN MAKE THIS STORM A BLESSING...
10:10 (KJV) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have
life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
CONCLUSION: UNDERSTAND THAT SEASONS OF TESTING, STORMS AND TRIALS BECOME SPIRITUAL
OPPORTUNITIES TO STRETCH YOUR FAITH AND MATURE YOUR SPIRIT.
TESTS COME BEFORE PROMOTE.
1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through
manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
