Topical Bible: Temptation: Saints May be in Heaviness Through

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Temptation is a common experience for all believers, including the saints, who may find themselves in periods of heaviness and trial. The Bible acknowledges that even the most devout followers of Christ are not exempt from the trials and temptations of this world. These experiences are often used by God to refine and strengthen the faith of His people.

1. Nature of Temptation: Temptation itself is not sin, but rather the enticement to sin. It is a test of faith and character, often presenting itself in the form of desires or pressures that conflict with God's will. James 1:14-15 explains, "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

2. Purpose of Temptation: While temptation can lead to sin, it also serves a divine purpose. It is a means by which God tests the faithfulness and perseverance of His saints. 1 Peter 1:6-7 states, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

3. Examples of Saints in Heaviness: The Bible provides numerous examples of saints who experienced heaviness through temptation. Job, a man described as blameless and upright, faced severe trials and temptations, yet remained faithful to God. Similarly, King David experienced temptation and fell into sin, but ultimately repented and sought God's forgiveness, as seen in Psalm 51.

4. Christ as the Model: Jesus Christ, though sinless, was tempted in every way as humans are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His victory over temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) serves as a model for believers, demonstrating reliance on Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome.

5. God's Provision in Temptation: God promises to provide a way of escape for those who are tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures believers, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it."

6. Role of Prayer and Vigilance: Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant and prayerful to withstand temptation. Jesus instructed His disciples in Matthew 26:41 , "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

7. The Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the full armor of God, which believers are to put on to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

8. Encouragement in Trials: James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Through these experiences of heaviness and temptation, saints are reminded of their dependence on God and the sufficiency of His grace. The trials serve to deepen their faith and draw them closer to the likeness of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:6
Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Heaviness through Manifold Temptations
... heart, by their suitableness to the temptation that assaults ... partakers of the
inheritance of the saints in light ... On the contrary, God may increase the knowledge ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 47 heaviness through manifold.htm

Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
... the body"compassed with infirmity"liable to temptation, and prone ... The same is the
portion of all the saints. ... Though we may be children of God, we are not ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon v abrams horror of.htm

Of True Meekness and Adversity: and of the Example of the Saints ...
... of penitence and be busy to follow saints' lives; so ... Therefore that we fail not in
temptation let us study ... pray, and wake, unto the time he may perceive higher ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxvii of true meekness.htm

Satan Considering the Saints
... If you are more generous than other saints, if you ... and sets before us such objects
of temptation as are ... then of great heaviness of mind, and they may be driven ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/satan considering the saints.htm

Over the Mountains. "My Beloved is Mine, and I am His: He Feedeth ...
... He not hear us now that we are weeping saints? ... because of that I am sure we may
comfortably conclude ... the infirmities of our nature; He knew temptation in the ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/over the mountains my beloved is.htm

Prayer and Trouble
... Temptation is really a solicitation to evil arising from the ... in the Gospel for the
praying saints of the ... foregoing has been said that we may rightly appreciate ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/v prayer and trouble.htm

The Cause and Cure of a Wounded Spirit
... even to curse God and die; and that temptation brings a ... in the sky looking down upon
all the saints below! ... Do not think that you may not take the comfort which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the cause and cure of.htm

Rom. xv. 25-27
... commanded, to "pray that we enter not into temptation." [1656] (Matthew 26 ... Knowing
all this then, let us receive the Saints, that the house may shine, that ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxx rom xv 25-27.htm

Spiritual Culture.
... earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. ... upon God in time of strong
temptation only increases our ... independent of God, however much he may think to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xi spiritual culture.htm

Of Meditation
... and destroys his crafts; it slakes fleshly temptation and kindles ... that in love of
the Godhead he may be wonderfully ... as the works and uses of saints are divers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter viii of meditation.htm