"The Holy Spirit" by Lawrence OP is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Jesus' public ministry started with Christ going into the wilderness, where Satan "tempted" Him for forty days. Except, tempted might not be the best word. Let's start with scripture from Luke chapter 4 today.
1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness
2for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.
Luke 4:1–2 (NASB95)
"…and when they had ended, He became hungry." I just ate breakfast. I have known hunger, but not recently. Notice Luke's word choice here: "…He became hungry." Became. Not was hungry and ate. I cannot imagine having a mind so focused on prayer and other things I didn't notice I was hungry until after I stopped focusing on that other thing. Notice also Jesus not eating appears as a defense against Him being "…tempted by the devil." How is not eating a defense against temptation? Well, to start, it isn't really "temptation" as we think of it in a modern way.
To answer the defense question, let's first pick apart the word "tempted."
To begin, my physical Bible directs me to a note about Genesis 22:1. Let's look at that scripture.
1And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
Genesis 22:1 (KJV 1900)
If you are using a study Bible, check the note. Mine focuses on the Hebrew word used for tempted and says other translations use a different word. The NASB is one of those translations. Let's look at that.
1Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
Genesis 22:1 (NASB95)
Tested and tempted, tempted and tested. These are the two words most commonly used. They both stem from the same Hebrew word, nasa.
Hebrew Strong's Number: 5254
Hebrew Word: נָסָה
Transliteration: nāsâ
Phonetic Pronunciation: naw-saw'
Root: a primitive root
Cross Reference: TWOT - 1373
Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: None
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
prove 20
tempt 12
assay 2
adventure 1
try 1
[Total Count: 36]
a primitive root; to test; by implication to attempt:- adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try.
James Strong, "נָסָה," Strong's Talking Greek and Hebrew Dictionary (WORDsearch, 2020).
To test. The Old Testament suggests God doesn't tempt us but puts us to the test. What does the Greek word from the Luke passage say?
Greek Strong’s Number: 3985
Greek Word: πειράζω
Transliteration: peirazō
Phonetic Pronunciation: pi-rad’-zo
Root: from <G3984>
Cross Reference: TDNT - 6:23,822
Part of Speech: v
Vine's Words: Examination, Examine, Prove, Tempt, Try, Tried
Usage Notes:
English Words used in KJV:
tempt 29
try 4
tempter 2
prove 1
assay 1
examine 1
go about 1
[Total Count: 39]
from <G3984> (peira); to test (object), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.
James Strong, "Πειράζω," Strong's Talking Greek and Hebrew Dictionary (WORDsearch, 2020).
Also, to test, examine, prove, and scrutinize. What is the English difference between these two words?
tempt
verb (used with object)
to entice or allure to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral.
to attract, appeal strongly to, or invite: The offer tempts me.
to render strongly disposed to do something: The book tempted me to read more on the subject.
to put (someone) to the test in a venturesome way; provoke: to tempt one's fate.
Obsolete. to try or test.
test
noun
the means by which the presence, quality, or genuineness of anything is determined; a means of trial.
the trial of the quality of something: to put to the test.
a particular process or method for trying or assessing.
a set of questions, problems, or the like, used as a means of evaluating the abilities, aptitudes, skills, or performance of an individual or group; examination.
Psychology. a set of standardized questions, problems, or tasks designed to elicit responses for use in measuring the traits, capacities, or achievements of an individual.
Chemistry.
the process of identifying or detecting the presence of a constituent of a substance, or of determining the nature of a substance, commonly by the addition of a reagent.
the reagent used.
an indication or evidence of the presence of a constituent, or of the nature of a substance, obtained by such means.
an oath or other confirmation of one's loyalty, religious beliefs, etc.
British. a cupel for refining or assaying metals.
verb (used with object)
to subject to a test of any kind; try.
Chemistry. to subject to a chemical test.
Metallurgy. to assay or refine in a cupel.
verb (used without object)
to undergo a test or trial; try out.
to perform on a test: People test better in a relaxed environment.
to conduct a test: to test for diabetes.
Note Dictionary.com lists the "obsolete" definition as to try or test. Dictionary.com lists that because it used to be such that we could expect that flavor to the word when used in common speech. Today, we see tempt purely as something that lures us away from something else. God doesn't try to lure us away from Him, His Ways, or His Word but do we have any scriptural evidence for that? Yes.
12Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
James 1:12–14 (NASB95)
"…He Himself does not tempt anyone." It is not God that does the tempting. Verse fourteen specifically addresses who does. We do. We allow those things that tempt us to remain within our view. But what are these things that God does that we modern-day people identify as temptations from God?
When we were in school, our teachers gave us periods of instruction on things they wanted us to learn. We sat in class, listened to lectures, read books, and did homework. Ultimately, the teachers had to determine if we'd learned our lessons or not. Quizzes and tests were used to determine if we'd learned what we needed or not. For those who did not, remedial lessons were needed. Sometimes, God tests us to see if we've learned what He's been trying to impart to us by the Holy Spirit. Other times, the storms of life come upon us from another, more sinister source. In both cases, we are to lean upon, look to, and draw strength from God to overcome them. In the first case, it is to demonstrate we have grown on our walk with God and are ready for more advanced learning. In the latter case, it is to weather the storm by anchoring our lives to the rock of salvation.
1My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.
2He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
4They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse. Selah.
5My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.
6He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
7On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalm 62:title–8 (NASB95)
So what, then, is the purpose of these tests that are not tempting us away from God? Why, if we are to latch onto Christ as our salvation, do we see them at all once we've proclaimed Him our Lord and Savior? Because we are not to be of this world while we are in it. We are to be transformed to demonstrate a better way, to be a city on a hill, the light of the world shining into the darkness to lead the lost away from Satan and to Salvation.
1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,
5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:1–5 (NASB95)