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James writes, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 11:12) Peter writes, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6-9) When we read verses like these, it may seem like a good idea to pray for testing, so that we can reap the rewards. But Jesus told us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:4, second part of the verse)

Though the Bible definitely shows us that God can work good through trials and temptations, it makes it clear that these things are not things to be desired. God can work in them and turn them into something good, but they can also bring a bad effect, and He should be the One to determine when it is time to allow these things. In the verses following the one quoted at the beginning of this article, James gives us a picture of the awful results temptation can have: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:13-15)

Jesus tells us to pray that we will not enter into temptation. “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” (Luke 22:40) And He rewarded one church by promising them that they would be delivered from the hour of temptation. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)

Temptation is an awful thing, something we are not to put ourselves into unless performing God’s will leads us there, because we are to avoid sin at all costs. Sometimes God’s work will lead us through temptation, and we need to be ready for that, but we shouldn’t stick ourselves into it when God isn’t calling us there.