8 REASONS WHY GOD ALLOWS ADVERSITY

8 reasonS why god allows adversity

Below is a scriptural study of 8 Greek words, all having to do with suffering trials and tribulations. You will see that scripture promises that if we love the Lord, we will suffer troubles. Why does God allow these things in our lives? Sufferings develop our character, test us in the fire for approval, train and correct us, put us on trial by the enemy through God’s permission and finally give us the opportunity to overcome and subdue the enemy under our feet.

We are called to be overcomers so that we may inherit ALL things.

Rev 21:6-7 NKJV

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

THE SHORT VERSION OF THE 8 GREEK WORDS:

1. TRIBULATION: Affliction, trouble, pressured, anguish, burdened {#2347}

2. CHARACTER: Experienced trustworthiness in trials. Proven. {#1384}

3. TESTED: To test for approval {#1381}

4. APPROVED: To be accepted and approved after being tried {#1384}

Our God is a consuming fire. Tribulations burn out the dross in our lives and leave the image of Jesus Christ in its place. Tribulations come from the world, God’s consuming fire and the devil.

5. CHASTISEMENT: Training, correction by God {3809}

6. FRUIT: To be plucked, catch up, taken by force {#2590}

Chastisement comes from God. If we are not chastised and disciplined by our heavenly Father, it proves we are not born again. When chastisement has its effect, it brings forth the fruit of rightful living. Fruit comes off a mature vine. It is interesting fruit means to be caught up.

7. TEMPTATION: To try, put to proof, experiment, provoke by the devil {#3986}

8. OVERCOME: To subdue, prevail, get the victory over the devil {#3528}

God does not tempt anyone at any time. However satan requests God’s permission to put His kids on trial. Temptations come because our sins entice and draw us away. Jesus Himself was put to the test however He had no sin in Him. When satan has God’s permission to try us, we overcome him by Jesus’ blood, by the Word of our testimony and dying to our self and embracing the Lord’s will.

SCRIPTURAL STUDY OF WHY GOD ALLOWS ADVERSITY AND TRIALS

TRIBULATION – Affliction, trouble, pressured, anguish, burdened {#2347}

John 16:33 NKJV

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; {#2347} but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Rom 5:3-5 NKJV

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, {#2347} knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Rom 5:3-5 AMP

4 And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. 5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

TRIBULATION

thlipsis

NT:2347 thlipsis (thlip'-sis); from NT:2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):

KJV - afflicted (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.

Scriptures using the same Greek word: Tribulation {#2347}

Matt 13:21, Matt 24:9, Matt 24:21, Matt 24:29, Mark 4:17, Mark 13:19, Mark 13:24, John 16:21, John 16:33, Acts 7:10, Acts 7:11, Acts 11:19, Acts 14:22, Acts 20:23, Rom 2:9, Rom 5:3, Rom 5:3, Rom 8:35, Rom 12:12, 1 Cor 7:28, 2 Cor 1:4, 2 Cor 1:4, 2 Cor 1:8, 2 Cor 2:4, 2 Cor 4:17, 2 Cor 6:4, 2 Cor 7:4, 2 Cor 8:2, 2 Cor 8:13, Eph 3:13, Phil 1:17, Phil 4:14, Col 1:24, 1 Thess 1:6, 1 Thess 3:3, 1 Thess 3:7, 2 Thess 1:4, 2 Thess 1:6, Heb 10:33, James 1:27, Rev 1:9, Rev 2:9, Rev 2:10, Rev 2:22, Rev 7:14

CHARACTER - Experienced trustworthiness in trials. Proven. {#1384}

Rom 5:3-5 AMP

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. 4 And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character {#1384} (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. 5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

2 Cor 8:2-4 NKJV

...that in a great trial {#1384} of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

CHARACTER

dokime

NT:1382 dokime (dok-ee-may'); from the same as NT:1384; test (abstractly or concretely); by implication, trustiness:

KJV - experience (-riment), proof, trial.

Scriptures using the same Greek word: Character {#1382}

Rom 5:4, Rom 5:4, 2 Cor 2:9, 2 Cor 8:2, 2 Cor 9:13, 2 Cor 13:3, Phil 2:22,

TESTED - To test for approval {#1381}

1 Peter 1:6-8 NKJV

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested {#1381} by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.

Rev 2:10 NKJV

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, {#1381} and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

dokimazo

NT:1381 dokimazo (dok-im-ad'-zo); from NT:1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve:

KJV - allow, discern, examine, like, (ap-) prove, try.

Scriptures using the same Greek word: Tested {#1381}

Luke 12:56, Luke 12:56, Luke 14:19, Rom 1:28, Rom 2:18, Rom 12:2, Rom 14:22, 1 Cor 3:13, 1 Cor 11:28, 1 Cor 16:3, 2 Cor 8:8, 2 Cor 8:22, 2 Cor 13:5, Gal 6:4, Eph 5:10, Phil 1:10, 1 Thess 2:4, 1 Thess 2:4, 1 Thess 5:21, 1 Tim 3:10, Heb 3:9, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 John 4:1,

APPROVED - To be accepted and approved after being tried {#1384}

James 1:12 KJV

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried {#1384}, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 1:12-15 NKJV

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, {#1384} he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

dokimos

NT:1384 dokimos (dok'-ee-mos); from NT:1380; properly, acceptable (current after assayal), i.e. approved:

KJV - approved, tried.

Scriptures using the same Greek word: Approved {#1384}

Rom 14:18, Rom 16:10, 1 Cor 11:19, 2 Cor 10:18, 2 Cor 13:7, 2 Tim 2:15, James 1:12

CHASTISEMENT – Training, correction {3809}

Heb 12:7-8 NKJV

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? {3809} 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Eph 6:4 NKJV

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training {3809} and admonition of the Lord.

2 Tim 3:16-17 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, {3809} for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

NT:3809

NT:3809 paideia (pahee-di'-ah); from NT:3811; tutorage, i.e. education or training; by implication, disciplinary correction:

KJV - chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.

NT:3811 paideuo (pahee-dyoo'-o); from NT:3816; to train up a child, i.e. educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment):

KJV - chasten (-ise), instruct, learn, teach.

Scriptures using the same Greek word: Chastisement {#3809}

Eph 6:4, 2 Tim 3:16, Heb 12:5, Heb 12:7, Heb 12:8, Heb 12:11

FRUIT - To be plucked, catch up, taken by force {#2590}

Heb 12:10-11 NKJV

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit {#2590} of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

karpos

NT:2590 karpos (kar-pos'); probably from the base of NT:726; fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively:

KJV - fruit.

NT:726

NT:726 harpazo (har-pad'-zo); from a derivative of NT:138; to sieze (in various applications):

KJV - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

Acts 8:39 KJV

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away {#726}Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

2 Cor 12:4 KJV

How that he was caught up {#726}into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Rev 12:5 KJV

...and her child was caught up {#726}unto God, and to his throne.

Scriptures using the same Greek word: Fruit {#2590}

Matt 11:12, Matt 13:19, John 6:15, John 10:12, John 10:28, John 10:29, Acts 8:39, Acts 23:10, 2 Cor 12:2, 2 Cor 12:4, 1 Thess 4:17, Jude 23, Rev 12:5

TEMPTATION – To try, put to proof, experiment, adversity or the devil {#3986}

Luke 4:13 KJV

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, {#3986} he departed from him for a season.

Luke 8:13 KJV

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation {#3986} fall away.

Luke 22:40 NKJV

When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." {#3986}

Luke 22:28-29 KJV

You are they which have continued with me in my temptations. {#3986} And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

James 1:12-15 NKJV

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; {#3986} for when he has been approved, {#1384} he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. {1185} 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

TEMPTATION

peirasmos

NT:3986 peirasmos (pi-ras-mos'); from NT:3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:

KJV - temptation, try.

Scriptures using the same Greek word: Temptation {3986}

Matt 6:13, Matt 26:41, Mark 14:38, Luke 4:13, Luke 8:13, Luke 11:4, Luke 22:28, Luke 22:40, Luke 22:46, Acts 20:19, 1 Cor 10:13, 1 Cor 10:13, Gal 4:14, 1 Tim 6:9, Heb 3:8, James 1:2, James 1:12, 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 4:12, 2 Peter 2:9, Rev 3:10,

ENTICED

NT:1185

NT:1185 deleazo (del-eh-ad'-zo); from the base of NT:1388; to entrap, i.e. (figuratively) delude:

KJV - allure, beguile, entice.

OVERCOME – To subdue, prevail, get the victory

1 John 4:4-5 NKJV

You are of God, little children, and have overcome {#3528} them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Rev 12:11 KJV

And they overcame {#3528} him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Rev 2:26 NKJV

And he who overcomes, {#3528} and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations —

Rev 3:10-12 NKJV

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, {#3528} I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.

OVERCOME

NT:3528

NT:3528 nikao (nik-ah'-o); from NT:3529; to subdue (literally or figuratively):

KJV - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

Scriptures using the same Greek word: Overcome {#3528}

Luke 11:22, John 16:33, Rom 3:4, Rom 12:21, Rom 12:21, 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:4, 1 John 5:5, Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:26, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:12, Rev 3:21, Rev 3:21, Rev 5:5, Rev 6:2, Rev 6:2, Rev 11:7, Rev 12:11, Rev 13:7, Rev 15:2, Rev 17:14, Rev 21:7,

EMBRACE YOUR TRIBULATIONS NOW SO THAT YOU MAY ESCAPE THEM LATER

Rev 3:10 AMP
Because you have guarded and kept My word of patient endurance [have held fast the lesson of My patience with the expectant endurance that I give you], I also will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial (testing) which is coming on the whole world to try those who dwell upon the earth.

Col 1:11-14 AMP
[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, 12 Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light. 13[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.