[Greek] πειράζω (peirazō), [Latin] experiri, [Latin] temptare, [German] prufen, [French] toucher, [French] essayer: to explore, to test, to try, to examine, to attempt, to prove, to put to the test, to go about, to make proof of, to learn, to strive, to make an effort, to lead into temptation, to put someone to the test, to know by experience, to test the truth of, to try someone; 42 scriptural references
St. Boniface (675-754 A.D), was known for spreading the faith in Europe during the Dark Ages. He also alludes to the difficulties of the Church in his time. Like today, the Church is also going through stormy waters ever since Vatican II. It seems now that Tradition can only right this wayward ship (the Church.)
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term is used in a variety of ways in secular Greek. This term means to attempt, to strive, to make an effort, to put to the test, to lead into temptation, to stir up, to try someone, to test a thing, and to know by experience.
Homer’s Illiad 2:8: “Bid him arm the long-haired Achaeans with all speed, since now he may take the broad-wayed city of the Trojans.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 6.82: “He thought it best not to make any attempt on the city until before he learned from the sacrifices whether the god would deliver it to him or withstand him.”
Homer’s Odyssey 9.281: “So he spoke, tempting me, but he trapped me not because of my great cunning, and I made answer again in crafty words.”
Old Testament: This term means to test, to try, and to attempt.
Testing:
- This is used in a secular and a primarily spiritual sense.
- The important theme of testing is illustrated by God testing man, man testing God, and man being tested by Satan.
- God puts Abraham’s faith and obedience to the test. Abraham withstands the test by obeying the will of God.
- Adam and Eve fail as result of being tempted (tested) by the serpent. This leads to the story of the fall in Genesis.
- Job ultimately submits to God’s will in the midst of incomprehensible suffering.
- In the Wisdom books, the purpose of God’s testing is further illustrated and defined.
- Testing (and suffering) can provide instruction, trust, refining, purification, education, and eschatological redemption.
New Testament: This term means to tempt, to test, to examine, and to not allow. The three predominant testing themes are: man being tempted, man tempting God (Jesus), and Jesus being tempted.
Jesus being tempted (tested) by the devil (Satan):Mt.4:1,3, Mk.1:13, Lk.4:2, Heb.2:18, Heb.4:15
- Jesus’ obedience to His Father is also being tested. Jesus refuse to use His his power for His own benefit and accept whatever God wills.
- These testings resemble those of Israel during the wandering in the wilderness.
- The worship of Satan is probably likened to Israel’s worship of false gods.
- The Holy Spirit tests Jesus in sending Him into desert for forty days.
- Jesus sustained obedience brings forth the new Israel.
- Jesus is able to help those who are being tested.
- Jesus has been tested in every, yet without sin.
Jesus being tempted (tested) by others: Mt.16:1, Mt.19:3, Mt.22:18, Mk.8:11, Mk.10:2, Mk.12:15, Lk.11:16, Lk.20:23
- The Pharisees and the Sadducees ask Jesus to show them a sign from heaven. (Jesus already knows that they see Jesus as an agent of Satan. There is no convincing them.)
- The Pharisees seek to test Jesus about the legal implications of marriage and divorce. (In response, Jesus reiterates God’s original intentions for marriage.)
- The Pharisees seek to trap Jesus about one’s responsibilities (duties) toward Caesar. (In response, Jesus points out one’s responsibilities to God and one’s responsibilities to Caesar.)
- The Pharisees and Sadducees seek to trap Jesus about one’s fidelity to the commandments. (In response, Jesus illustrates the foundational aspects of the commandments in the Law.)
- After driving out demons, Jesus was accused of being inspired by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. (Jesus refused to give a sign to others to win acceptance from unbelievers.)
- The Jews brought a woman (accused of adultery) before Jesus. They were testing Jesus if he would follow the Law in punishing this woman. (Jesus turned the tables on them and forced the Jews to walk away. Jesus forgave the adulterous woman and told her to sin no more.)
Putting God to the test: Acts 5:9, Acts 15:10, 1Cor.10:9, Heb.3:9
- Peter said to Sapphira, ‘Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?’ (Ananias and Sapphira retained a part of price of land given to the Apostles. Satan had filled Sapphira’s heart so that she lied to the Holy Spirit.)
- Paul asks the Jerusalem Council why are they putting God to the test by placing a yoke (circumcision) on the Gentiles. (Paul reminded them that the Gentiles are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.)
- Let us not test Christ as some of them did, and suffered death by serpents. (To provoke and to notoriously sin against God is a tempting of God. The desert experiences were warnings against idolatry and immorality.)
- [Holy Spirit] : harden not your hearts as in the desert, where your ancestors tested and tried Me.
Being tested: Acts 16:7, 1Cor.10:13, 2Cor.13:5
- They tried to go on into Bithyna, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, so they crossed through Mysia and came down to Troas.
- No trial has come to you but what is human, God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial He will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. (God knows our limits and capabilities. He will provide you with the strength and courage to handle your difficulties.)
- Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in faith. Test yourselves.
- By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son. (Abraham provides us with an example of showing trust in God.)
- No one experiencing temptation should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and He Himself tempts no one. (Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. This desire conceives and brings forth sin. When sin reaches maturity, it gives birth to death.)
Conclusion:
Empirical, empiric, experience, proof, tempt, temptation, touch, essay
Greek Hellenism: Testing occurs in the sphere of the gods and oracles. Even men will often test the gods and oracles.
The Old Testament begins the development of the insight and meaning for testing and suffering that God permits. Abraham provides an important illustration of this.
The New Testament further develops the understanding of testing and suffering. In some situations, testing and suffering can be a participation in Christ’s sufferings, joy, and grace. Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection provide a profound meaning for suffering.
Update: Many of us do not realize or are unaware that marriage is only a temporary earthly institution. Marriage will no longer be visible in heaven. Yet many people, from all political and theological backgrounds, have elevated marriage as an idol.
The LGBTQ community and its supporters have been investing so much energy in advocating an secular (non Christian “marriage union”. As a result, many are and have put their eternal souls in peril for advocating and supporting this sinful arrangement.
Many of us have also confused, mixed up, and ignored our proper understanding of what is properly due to God.
Many of us have either ignored or forgotten Jesus’ command to sin no more. Sinning no more: ==> walking in light. Not sinning nor more: ==> walking in darkness
Pope Francis has deceitfully referred to the “Holy Spirit of Surprises” as justification for implementing potentially questionable and heretical policies in the Synod of Synodalities. This is a direct insult to the Holy Spirit of Truth. (Jn.14:17)
My personal experience:
- I have remained single all of my life. Why am I still single? For many years, I had also elevated marriage as an idol. However, I eventually discovered that God had called me to a lay single vocation as a catechist.
- It is also no surprise that 1Cor.10:13 has become my scripture. I continue to go through struggles (“God, you’re killing me here… When will these struggles end! [I think you get the picture.])
- As time has past, I now realizing more and more that this earthly life is fleeting, temporary. We need to focus more on the bigger picture of eternity.
- To be honest, I oftentimes have difficulties having trust in God (as I continue to go through these struggles).
- It was through struggles that I found my relationship with God became stronger. This is when I found my vocation as a catechist.
“The devil tempts that he may ruin; God tempts that He may crown.” St. Ambrose
“Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife.” Pope St. Leo the Great
“He could have kept the devil from Himself but it He were not tempted, He could not teach you how to triumph over temptation.” St. Augustine.