Do Not Tempt God

Seeing God's Power and Love, Yet Still Doubting Him

The Israelites witnessed the plagues of Egypt, saw the Red Sea divided, and crossed on dry ground. The Egyptians, however, were not able to pass through.

• Exodus 15: The people complained because there was no water.

• Exodus 16: The people murmured against Moses and Aaron. God gave them quail and then manna.

• Exodus 17: The people complained again because of the lack of water.

• Numbers 11: The people complained about the manna.

• Numbers 20: The people complained again because there was no water.

Knowing Something Is God's Will, Yet Fighting or Rejecting It

John 3:1–2 (NKJV)

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him,"Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

Matthew 16:1–4 (NKJV)

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them,"When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. ' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed.

Deliberately Placing Ourselves in Dangerous Situations, Assuming God Will Protect Us

Proverbs 22:3–4 (NKJV)

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are punished.
By humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches and honor and life.

Matthew 4:5–7 (NKJV)

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him,"If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

'He shall give His angels charge over you, '

and,

'In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone. '"

Jesus said to him,"It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God. '"