Beth-El Baptist Church

08/10/2008

Greg Tomlinson


What's the difference between walking in faith and tempting the LORD our God?


There can be a very fine line between walking by faith and tempting God. In order to keep from sinning against God in this area, it is important to understand what the difference is and then check ourselves often.


  1. What is the definition of faith?

Hebrews 11:1-5 Galatians 3:24-27

Romans 10:2-11 1 John 5:1-5


Faith for the Christian is a hope, but not a “hope so” hope. It is an assured hope. A hope that is guaranteed. A now but not yet fulfillment of the commands of God. Faith terminates the law of God in order to be righteous and replaces it with a complete trusting in the very Word of God and His commandments. Walking by faith entails a life that is lived out trusting what God has said simply because He said it.


  1. What is the definition of tempt?

Numbers 14:22-24 Deuteronomy 6:16-17

Psalm 78:16-22, 40-43, 55-58 Psalm 95:7-9; 106:13-14

Matthew 4:1-3; 16:1 Luke 8:13-14

James 1:13-15


Temptations are a testing or a trial. When men tempt God, they are asking God to prove Himself. They seek after a sign or some sort of indication that a particular work or act is of God or desired by God. Notice that 'proving' or 'provoking' is sometimes tied to the act of tempting.


  1. What are some examples of tempting God?

Exodus 17:1-7 Isaiah 7:10-14 cmp 2 Kings 20:8-11

Matthew 22:17-21; Luke 10:25-29 cmp Acts 16:30-31

John 8:4-8 Acts 5:8-9; 15:8-11

Numbers 21:5-9 cmp 1 Corinthians 10:8-10 Judges 6:37-40

1 Samuel 15:2-15


There are many places where man tempts God. They tempt God to show Himself, show His power, show His authority, show who are His, and many others. All of them have in common a lack of trust in God and a desire to see a sign from him. One note of comparison of tempting and faith is the response of Kings Ahaz and Hezekiah to Isaiah's question regarding the giving of a sign to validate the promise of God. King Ahaz refused to ask for confirmation claiming He did not want to tempt Yahweh, but in His refusal was disobedience a form of tempting. King Hezekiah responded with a request to see the impossible. He saw the impossible because He trusted God and His words.


  1. What are some examples of walking by faith?

Matthew 14:25-29 Genesis 6:13-7:1

Genesis 15:1-7 cmp Romans 4:17-22 Numbers 13:27-30

Daniel 3:12-18; 6:7-10 1 Samuel 23:1-5; 24:3-9; 26:5-11

Acts 4:6-13; 12:1-6; 21:10-14


Walking by faith is an act of will to do what God has said. Sometimes discovering God's will may be associated with raising questions (David regarding Keilah) but once the answer is known then faith acts on it. It is faith that put many lives in danger and yet it is their faith that carried them through (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (furnace), Daniel (lions), Peter (bold accusation, sleeping with death over his head).


Summary:


It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between walking by faith and tempting or testing God. Faith moves forward as God has already stated even when the path appears blocked. Faith seeks to do what God has already commanded. Tempting God raises questions about the validity of what God has commanded. Tempting seeks to justify oneself or bring about troubles for another. Faith does, tempting questions.