TRIAL (TEST) VS TEMPTATION: THE TRUTH OF GOD

The distinction between trial and temptation is generally misunderstood. In Indonesian Holy Bible translated by LAI (Lembaga Alkitab Indonesia), both words have the same noun form: PENCOBAAN. Although in ‘verb’ form, they are different, trial is MENCOBA and temptation is MENCOBAI. All too often the word PENCOBAAN is held to be synonymous with either trial or temptation – where it leads to my misunderstanding about the truth of God. I then tried to compare these two words between Indonesian and English version Bible. According to my new understanding:

• MENCOBA (v) = UJIAN (n) or TES (n)

• TEST (v) = TRIAL (n) or TEST (n)

• MENCOBAI (v) = PENCOBAAN (n)

• TEMPT (v) = TEMPTATION (n)

God does the TRIAL or the TEST and Devil does the TEMPTATION through our own desires. Let’s take look at some of the below examples taken from the Bible:

… “God has come only to test you, so that…” (Exodus 20:20, CEV)

Test my thoughts and find out what I am like. (Psalms 26:2, CEV)

Don’t blame God when you are tempted! God can’t be tempted by evil, and He doesn’t use evil to tempt others. We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. (James 1:13-14, CEV)

Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil. (Matthew 6:13, CEV)

Furthermore, we can find more about temptation in 1 Corinthians 10:13 and trial in 1 Peter 1:6. In conclusion, God’s trials will strengthen our faith in Jesus where on the contrary evil’s temptations will weaken it. I hope this explanation may also bring clarity to your understanding of the Bible and the truth of God.

Note: As a believer, we also will face times of severe trials and temptations when only direct communion with God will give us the strength to prevail. Jesus response to adversity should cause us to stand in awe of our great Savior and desire to follow His example.