Why does an all powerful benevolent God allow Satan’s temptation, pain, and suffering?  The real question is Why God Allows Satan to Test Us”

Sooo today we’re wrestling with the mystery of why God allows temptation, pain, and suffering, and yet how He uses them to renew our spirit, and prepare us for His eternal purposes. Scripture does not shy away from this tension, but gives us God’s perspective.

Here are key NKJV passages that speak directly to what you’re asking:

1. Temptation and God’s Purpose

•   James 1:2–4

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

•   James 1:13–14

“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. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

•   1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

God doesn’t tempt, but He allows us to face temptation so that our faith may be strengthened and so that we learn to rely on Him.

2. Suffering, Weakness, and Renewal

•   2 Corinthians 4:16–17

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

•   2 Corinthians 12:9–10

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The decay of the body and trials of life press us into the sufficiency of Christ’s grace, which transforms weakness into strength.

3. The Role of Suffering in God’s Plan

•   Romans 5:3–5

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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.”

•   1 Peter 1:6–7

“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 by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Trials refine us like fire purifies gold—proving and deepening our faith.

4. The Final Hope Beyond Suffering

•   Revelation 21:4

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

The present suffering is temporary; God promises eternal restoration without decay, disease, or death.

Summary:

God allows temptation, pain, and suffering not because He delights in them, but because through them He accomplishes eternal purposes: testing and refining faith, teaching reliance on His grace, conforming us to Christ, and preparing us for glory. While our bodies weaken, our spirits are renewed in Him day by day. You’re touching on one of the hardest truths: why does God allow Satan to deceive, tempt, and humiliate us in shame?

Scripture shows that God permits this not to destroy us, but to reveal our weakness apart from Him, to humble us, and to drive us to repentance and dependence on Christ.

Here are some NKJV passages that speak to this mystery:

1. God Allows Satan to Test, but Only Within Limits

•   Job 1:12

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

Satan can only act within the boundaries God sets. His attacks serve God’s greater purpose of testing and refining.

2. Satan Exposes Our Weaknesses

•   Luke 22:31–32

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’”

Peter’s denial was humiliating—but it showed him his weakness. That shame prepared him for repentance and future strength.

3. Shame Can Lead to Repentance

•   2 Corinthians 7:10

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

Godly sorrow (even through failure and shame) leads us back to Christ. Worldly sorrow traps us in despair, but God uses even humiliation to save.

4. Without Christ, We Can Do Nothing

•   John 15:5

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Satan’s deceptions remind us of this reality—our utter dependence on Christ.

5. God Overrules Satan’s Evil for Good

•   2 Corinthians 12:7–9

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’”

What Satan meant to torment Paul, God used to keep him humble and dependent on grace.

6. Victory Through Christ

•   1 John 3:8

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Satan may humiliate for a season, but Christ has the final victory. His grace is greater than Satan’s schemes.

Summary:

God allows Satan to deceive and shame us not to condemn, but to reveal our weakness, break our pride, and drive us to repentance and reliance on Christ. Without Him, we can do nothing—but with Him, Satan’s attacks are turned into stepping-stones toward humility, holiness, and strength.

“Why God Allows Satan to Test Us”

Sooo whether I succeed or fail I can repent and grow,being aware of Satans enticing entrapment and then slandering accusations. Then I resist Satan and he will flee me to return later and tempt me to see if I learned my lesson. Sooo let’s keep our spiritual eyes on Jesus Christ and obey,all else is just Satanic distraction.

Blessings brother bill/dad