INTRODUCTION
The previous message shows the ‘tools of knowledge’ and ‘weapons of warfare’ we may use to overcome Satan’s schemes of temptation. This message shows that God does not tempt with Evil! Yet, he may allow trials through temptation to accomplish His greater purposes. It reveals the desire of God to plant godly seed in mankind that we may bear spiritual fruits toward a divine nature that overcomes evil lusts.
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1. GOD DOES NOT TEMPT WITH EVIL
The lusts of the flesh are sinful and oppose God’s Word. “Let no one say when they are tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.” (James 1:13). God never tempts us with evil or lustful desires. However, He may allow us to face the consequences of those desires and permit Satan to tempt us.
2. TRIALS THROUGH TEMPTATION
Brethren, the Psalmist states that: “The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). God’s Words and promises often come with trials as they are tried in the furnace of this world, not to lead us into sin, but to test our faith and prove our trust in His Word.
God uses temptation at times, as a trial to fulfil His divine purposes, testing the depth of our trust in Him and proving the strength of our faith and His power to deliver. These trials serve to teach us doctrine, provide reproof and correction, instruct us in righteousness, and equip us for spiritual warfare, leading us to maturity in Christ (2 Timothy 3:16).
In such trials, God may allow Satan to challenge us or oppose us, cultivating humility so that we do not exalt ourselves. Biblical examples include: Job’s afflictions; Abraham’s test to sacrifice Isaac; Joseph sold by his brothers; Daniel in the lion’s den; Prophet Jeremiah imprisoned; Jesus tempted by Satan; Peter’s denial of Jesus; and Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (Job 1:8-12; Genesis 22:1-13; 37:28; Daniel 6:16; Jeremiah 37:15; Matthew 4:1-12; Mark 1:12; Matthew 26:34; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Galatians 4:13-14).
2.1. GOD HELPS US TO ENDURE TRIALS
God is faithful and will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can endure. When we face temptation, He always provides a way to escape, that one may be able to bear it. He assures us saying: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9).
Trials draw us closer to God as we experience His love, faithfulness, and mercies. James encourages us saying:” My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this that your faith worketh patience.” The one who endures trials is blessed: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:2 & 12).
3. OVERCOMING THE TRAITS OF LUST
Brethren, consider that after Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil and disobeyed God, mankind’s godly spirit spiritually died, becoming enslaved to sinful flesh and its lusts. Therefore, everyone is tempted when drawn away by own desires and enticed (Genesis 3:4-6,16; James 1:13-15).
3.1. SPIRITUAL POWER OVER FLESH
To overcome the human traits and evil passions of lusts—such as pride, idolatry, lies, hatred, envy—that make us vulnerable to temptation, we need spiritual power and growth (Deuteronomy 5:7-21; Galatians 5:20-21). The Spiritual strength is to overcome the lustful fleshly traits themselves; since the ‘tools of knowledge’ and ‘weapons of warfare’ only help us overcome temptation, not the human traits.
But how does one gain the ‘spiritual power’ to overcome the flesh? It begins with salvation, i.e., by confessing the Lord Jesus, believing in one’s heart that God raised Him from the dead and be saved. (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10). God granted Jesus “power over all flesh”, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Thus, those who receive Jesus and believe in His name are given the power to become children of God—born not of human desire, flesh, or will, but born of God’s Spirit (John 1:12-13; 3:16; 17:2-3; 1 John 3:8). Jesus describes those ruled by lusts, saying, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do…” (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8).
4. THE GODLY ‘SEED’ AND ‘FRUIT’
Believers born of God’s Spirit produce spiritual fruit that strengthens their resilience, freeing them from being controlled by human nature — “blood,” “fleshly desires,” and “human will”—which fuel lustful sin.
God has planted the Spirit of His Son—the divine seed—into the hearts of believers, enabling them to cry out, “Abba, Father.” This is the Spirit of truth who dwells with us and lives within us. His work is to guide us into all truth, testify of Christ, convict us of sin, comforts, teaches, and reveals to us the deep things of God. He empowers us to walk in obedience to God’s Word and keep His commandments (Galatians 4:6; John 14:17; 15:26; 16:7–14; 1 Corinthians 2:10,12; Ezekiel 36:27).
4.1. INDWELLING OF GOD’S SEED
If the Spirit of God truly dwells in you, then you are no longer living according to the flesh, but by the Spirit. As Paul declares, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” You have become the temple of God, for His Spirit lives in you (Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:11;1 Corinthians 3:16).
When Christ lives in us, the body is considered dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness (Romans 8:10). Whoever is truly born of God does not continue in sin, for God’s seed remains in them. They strive to overcome the desires of the flesh and live in righteousness. The choice is either to be a servant of obedience which leads to righteousness, or of sin, which leads to death (Romans 6:6; 6:16; 1 John 3:7–10).
Ultimately, whether one is born of the Spirit of truth or of Satan’s spirit of lies is revealed by the fruit they bear, by their love for God and others, and by a life committed to righteousness. But let us not forget: “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9).
5. THE FRUIT OF GODLY SEED
Believers often measure their fruitfulness for God by the number of souls they lead to Him through their work in His vineyard. While this is pleasing to God, what He desires above all is a pure heart—the first and most important fruit of His Spirit within us. Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16).
“The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS AND SELF-CONTROL; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). Brethren, these are the very attributes of God that His Spirit produces in us to empower us to overcome sinful desires. The fruit of the Spirit is cultivated through a personal and inward journey of spiritual growth—sowing to the Spirit of life in Christ while dying daily to the flesh and its sinful nature.
5.1. GOOD TREE BEARS GOOD FRUIT
Jesus asks, “Do people gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” [Likewise], every good tree [bears] good fruit; but a corrupt tree [bears] evil fruit… Either make the tree good and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Matthew 7:17; 12:33–34).
Jesus teaches the principle of bearing spiritual fruit by using the image of a vineyard: God is the gardener, Jesus is the “true vine,” and believers are the branches. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains connected to the vine, so too believers cannot produce spiritual fruit unless they remain in Christ. Those who abide in Him, and in whom He abides, will bear much fruit. For one can do nothing without him. He prunes every fruitful branch, so that it may bear even more fruit (John 15:1–5). Brethren, this pruning often comes through trials and the testing of our faith, refining us as we die daily to the flesh.
5.2. CHILDREN OF DIVINE NATURE
Brethren, those truly born of God’s Spirit, become “a new creature.” They take on a new spiritual identity and personality as God’s children, reflecting the nature of Jesus Christ. They begin to embody His divine character, according to the measure of His Spirit that dwells in them, evident in the godly fruit their lives produce. (John 3:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
They are empowered and no longer live according to their natural human impulses but instead strive to obey God’s Word. Guided and taught by the Holy Spirit, they are committed to walking in the Spirit and keeping His commandments, living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. And they will resist the pull of the flesh and the deceitful passions.
5.3. FUITLESS WITHERED BRANCHES
Brethren, Jesus explains that one who does not abide in him and fail to bear fruit is as a branch which are cut off, and is withered; and men gathered them, and throw them into the fire and they are burned (John 15:6). Such are the ones who yield to their carnal nature, manifesting human passions and evil desires, and fall prey to the snares of Satan and his agents through their lusts.
The next message will examine the process of cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in trials through temptations.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, we give thanks and praise for Your word.
You have done marvellous kindness through Your Son Jesus.
Holy Father, give thy Children the Holy Ghost even as you have done unto us who believe that JESUS IS LORD. Purify our hearts by faith and help us to abide in Christ that we may bear more fruits. Make us perfect in Your spiritual identity and personality.
Gracious Lord, give us wisdom to discern temptation, and faith to endure trials. Help us to trust in Your strength, walk in Your truth, and overcome by Your Spirit. And save our fruitless and withered brethren. IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.
May your month be blessed with abundant spiritual growth, bearing fruits that glorify the Lord.
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 01 June 2025
Email: prisca@childrenofgrace.faith
