By way of REVIEW: There are two Greek words that are translated by most English versions as trial, test or tempt. In the 1600’s the word "tempt" meant to test. Today it means to entice or seduce for the purpose of getting another person to sin or commit a crime. The Greek words and their Hebrew equivalents explain more about what the Bible is talking about regarding this important subject.

The first word is peirazo {pi-rad'-zo} which means to try and test with the purpose of discovering what good or evil, what power or weakness is in a person or thing. From Thayer’s Lexicon we have this partial definition: "in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments." This word is sometimes use in connection with God’s trials but is more often used when talking about the Pharisees testing Jesus (Mark 8:11; Luke 10:25; Mark 12:15) and used when Satan causes trials (1Cor. 7:5; Matt. 4:1). This word is used in John 6:6 when Jesus asked Phillip a question to "test" him or "prove" him.

"Peirazo" in the Greek compares to "massa" in the Hebrew. This word is used when David put the armor that Saul gave him to the test (1Sam. 17:39). It is also used in 1Kings 10:1 of the Queen of Sheba who had heard of Solomon’s wisdom & knowledge and put him to the test.

Satan is the "tempter" or "tester" who would like us to fail the test. One of his tactics is to mislead us by accurately quoting but misapplying God’s Word. Jesus applies Scripture rightly but does not always quote it word for word. You can see this when you compare Jesus quotation of Matt. 4:4: "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Deut. 8:3: "…that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live."

Next Satan took Jesus and put Him on the top of the temple and said, "…cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Checking Satan’s quote from Psalm 91:11-12 we read, "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."

Now notice Jesus’ next quote in response to Satan’s. "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" (Matt. 4:7). This quote is from Deut. 6:16 which reads, "Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah." But Jesus does not attempt to quote the entire passage. He quotes only the essential message but rightly and correctly applies the Scripture! That is what is important. That is why we can use any number of translations as long as they keep the meaning of the passage.

No matter how Satan tried to deceive Him, appeal to His vanity or desire for power and authority, Jesus relied on Scripture and correctly applied it. Remember, it is not the technically correct quote that is important. It is the application and inferences drawn from it!

Jesus was tested (Luke 22:28). The Greek word is "peirasmos {pi-ras-mos" translated "temptations" in KJV. It means the testings or trials. Paul was tested (Acts 20:29) – same Greek word. You and I will be tested (James 1:2; 1Pet 1:6). All these passages use the same Greek word.

We are all going to be tested sooner or later. But the test that you are given will be within the bounds of your strength. We have this wonderful promise In 1Cor.10: 13, "No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it"(New Revised Standard).

God will provide an escape that we can endure it. "…then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial…"(2Pet.2:9 RSV). All through these verses is the Greek word "peirasmos." We will be tested as Christ and Paul were but God will never let us be tested beyond our ability to endure it. Just as each of us has different physical strengths, so too, we each have different psychological strengths, spiritual and emotional strengths.

I don’t know of many who could have endured the testing and trials God allowed Satan to place on Job. But each of us will face our own trial sooner or later. And that trial will show what materials we are using to build on the foundation which was laid in us – Jesus Christ. The building materials are listed: gold, silver, precious stone, wood, hay, stubble and they will be tried by fire (1Cor. 3:12-13). Testing puts our character and way of life to the proof (1Cor 11:19). Our faith in His Word lets us know that we whatever the test we can endure it. He knows we can! Thanks be to God whatever our test we can become victors and approved by Him!