Test, Testing: Proving Faith Through Life’s Trials

Tests and trials touch every human life, yet for the believer they carry divine purpose – God uses them to prove and improve our faith and character, while Satan seeks to use the very same pressures to destroy us. This article considers the testing scenarios we face, how to handle trials well, and how to test everything we read and hear.

What Testing Means

To test is to ascertain the worth of something by subjecting it to various pressures and assessments. A product cannot be safely and profitably used until it has been thoroughly tested and its weaknesses and deficiencies addressed. Only then can it be relied upon to perform as intended, and only then is it fit for its maker’s purpose.

In the Christian context, a test or trial is a difficulty deliberately sent by God to provide the opportunity to prove, and then improve, the quality of our faith and character so we emerge as over-comers if we respond correctly. Conversely, Satan endeavours to use the same situation to exploit our sinful desires, tempting us to sin and suffer defeat (Gen 2:16-17, 3:1-4; Jas 1:13-15). Every temptation begins with a test – will we “choose life” by being obedient to God or fail the test. God’s plan, is to mature and strengthen us in our Christian walk as we apply godly lessons, while Satan’s is to destroy us (Deut 30:19; Jn 10:10; Rom 12:2). Being tested is necessary before any advancement can be made and so it is vital to be prepared for it will often uncover issues in our hearts that are not God-honouring and must be resolved. “He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips” (Job 23:10-12).

Some Testing Scenarios

God tests people by putting them in situations that reveal the quality of their faith, devotion and heart attitude (Gen 22:1-12; Ex 16:4; Deut 8:2). The Lord tests or looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7; 1 Chr 29:17; Ps 44:21, 139:23; Prov 17:3; Jer 11:20; 1 Thes 2:4). We should rejoice in His purifying, strengthening and maturing our Christian character, while enlarging our appreciation of His love for us and our love to Him (Rom 5:3-5, 8:35-39; Jas 1:2-4,12; 1 Pet 1:6-7).

God recognizes the potential within each of us

Satan tests believers by difficult circumstances or trials (within the limits God permits) which are the consequence of living in a fallen world, in an attempt to make us desert God’s will (Job 1:12, 2:6; 1 Cor 10:13). In effect, Joseph said to his brothers, you (and Satan) meant it for evil, but God intended it for good, and I chose the best option (Gen 50:20). As Christians we must be constantly on our guard and actively resist Satan for he is trying to make us fall (Mk 14:38; 2 Cor 2:11; Eph 6:11; Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8-9). The various tactics he uses include the crushing weight of pain and hardship (Job 1:13-19, 2:7; Rev 2:10); the urge to fulfill sinful desires (Mt 5:27-28; Jas 1:14); making us careless or complacent (Gal 6:1; Eph 4:27; Rev 3:15); misrepresenting God’s truth (Gen 3:1-5; Mt 4:5-6; 2 Cor 11:14-15).

We are to test ourselves before partaking of the Lord’s Supper and at other times too (1 Cor 11:27-29; 2 Cor 13:5; Gal 6:4). In disciplined self-scrutiny evaluate your spiritual state and have a proper perspective so you don’t go astray (Lk 12:16-21; Rom 12:3; 1 Tim 6:9-10). Our reaction to praise is a good test of character – do we receive it in pride or are we jealous if our rival is praised (1 Sam 18:7-8; Prov 27:21; Lk 6:26)?

Humanity even tests God by defiantly challenging Him to prove the truth of His Word, the goodness and justice of His ways, and demanding that He meet their materialistic needs or wants but the Bible forbids such irreverent behaviour (Ex 17:2; Num 14:22-23; Deut 6:16; Ps 78:18,41,56; Act 5:9). It’s not the right of ‘the clay’ to tell the ‘potter’ what to do (Isa 45:9; Rom 9:21).

We also test the patience of others as they do to us through the interactions of life. Interpersonal relationships are the cause of much conflict and wounding in the human spirit. Instead, scripture says that we are to be “kind and compassionate … forgiving each other...” (Gal 5:26; Eph 4:2,29,31-32; Col 3:13).

Handling Trials Well and Recognising Them as Blessings

Our faith is tested during tough times, and this should push us closer to God as we walk in obedience and loyalty, confident He is bigger than anything that comes against us (1 Jn 4:4). With only a superficial experience of Christ, many fall away in testing because their spiritual roots haven’t penetrated below the surface (Lk 8:13), and those who hear but do not act on Jesus’ teaching will crumble in adversity (Mt 7:24-27). Don’t carry the burden alone: enlist the help of Jesus and stay focused on others, who may be going through testing too (Mt 11:28-30; 2 Cor 8:2; 1 Pet 5:7).

What is my response to trials?

When we come under the dealings of God, we need to humbly pray “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me...see if there is any offensive way in me...” (Ps 139:23-24). Testing takes us beyond our comfort zone and reveals our true character (2 Chr 32:31): in our emotions fear, depression or discouragement; in relationships anger or jealousy; in our fleshly nature unrestrained lusts or appetites; and in the spiritual arena pride or self-confidence. What we have been taught is worthless until it has been outworked in our experience, so it is for us to acknowledge our weakness and submit to His corrective hand (Heb 12:11). The present test is an indication of the blessing awaiting you when you come through it, for there is always a time gap – involving a lack of provision, negative comments and contrary circumstances – between a promise being given and its fulfilment.

View these trials as special instruments of God’s love to make us, not to break us: we can either complain and resist, or co-operate in the development of our character, for His focus is on eternity, not the ease of today. When things are not going pleasantly we tend to blame Satan, though it may be God preparing us for the future; He uses the trials of life to prepare us for His service, for “When He has tried me I shall come forth as pure gold...Through many trials we will enter heaven...We are destined for them” (Job 23:10; Act 14:22; 1 Thes 3:2-4; Heb 13:21; 2 Pet 2:9). As we hold fast to our faith in Christ, confident He is with us and victory is certain (1 Cor 15:57-58; Eph 6:13; Heb 12:7-13, 13:5; 1 Pet 5:9), we become much richer in godly character – it is the heat of the fire that separates the dross from the purifying metal (Deut 13:4; 2 Cor 8:2; Heb 4:14, 10:23,35). Anything that makes me desperate for God is a blessing, though at the present it may seem hard, and difficult situations can bring about a greater reliance on God (2 Cor 11:23-28; Heb 11:33-38).

Like Job, we may not understand the ‘why’s of life’, yet God is more interested in our character than achievement. Trials are God-designed tools to shape us, “so in the end it may go well with you”, revealing things that need to be dealt with; they work for our good to conform us to the image of His Son, besides achieving for us eternal riches that far outweigh them all (2 Cor 4:17; Gal 5:22-23; 1 Pet 1:6-7; Deut 8:16; Rom 5:3-5, 8:28-29; Jas 1:2-3; 1 Pet 4:12-16,19). God tailors the refining process to the raw material available [us] and the final product required, so it is in our best interests to submit to Him even when we don’t comprehend His ways (Isa 55:8-9).

Do I have the confidence they are working for my good? – Romans 8:28

Many people followed Jesus for the physical benefits received, yet deserted Him when the cost became too high (Jn 6:60-69), unaware that the testing of their character was the foundation of the long-term spiritual benefits He wanted to impart. Joseph, too, was tried in many ways – rejected by his brothers, made a slave, cast into prison – but his greatest trial was that “The Word of God tried him” (Ps 105:17,19): the clear word from God that he would be given great authority, yet his circumstances indicated otherwise. Yet he remained faithful to his call, realising that “it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Gen 45:5,7-8).

Testing What We Read and Hear

Just as we are not to be gullible about the things we encounter in life, neither are we to naively accept every teaching, opinion or claim that comes labelled as ‘Christian’ or ‘spiritual’. Scripture warns, “The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps” (Prov 14:15, 22:3). Not everyone who speaks in God’s name is speaking for God, for Satan masquerades as an angel of light and his servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (2 Cor 11:14-15). Jesus cautioned that false prophets would come in sheep’s clothing, and that even the elect can be deceived if they are not watching (Mt 7:15; Mk 13:22; Act 20:29-30). Paul commanded believers to “test everything; hold fast what is good” and John to “not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 Thes 5:20-21; 1 Jn 4:1). Even an angel from heaven preaching a different gospel is to be rejected (Gal 1:8-9).

Be selective: you don't need to accept every piece of advice

The standard by which everything is to be tested is the Bible itself – God’s Word is truth (Jn 17:17), a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps 119:105), and any message that does not agree with it has no light in it (Isa 8:20). The believers in Berea are commended as fair-minded because “they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Act 17:10-12) – they listened eagerly, yet verified what they heard against Scripture before embracing it. Useful questions when testing a message include: Does it agree with the whole counsel of Scripture rather than a verse taken out of context (Act 20:27)? Does it exalt Christ or draw attention to a person or experience (Jn 16:14; 1 Jn 4:2-3)? Does it produce godly fruit in those who embrace it (Mt 7:16-18; Gal 5:22-23)? Does it encourage holiness and dependence on God, or license and self-indulgence (Jude 1:4; 2 Pet 2:1-2)?

Testing what we hear is not a spirit of criticism or cynicism that refuses to believe anything; it is the noble-minded habit of weighing every message against the Word of God, holding fast what is good and rejecting what is false. The same applies to what we read, watch and forward – books, media and online content are to be screened by Scripture too.

Do I test what I hear and read against the Bible? – Acts 17:11

This discernment is not automatic; it is developed. “Solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:13-14), and we are to present ourselves to God as workmen who correctly handle the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). Those who neglect the Scriptures are easily “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14), captivated by hollow and deceptive philosophy (Col 2:8), and vulnerable to teachers who say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Tim 4:3-4). The remedy is to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (Col 3:16), so that like Jesus we can respond to every deception with “It is written” (Mt 4:4,7,10), and to pray for the discernment to know what is best (Phil 1:9-10; Ps 119:18).

Reflection and Application

When tested, pray “Search me, O God” and submit to His corrective hand rather than resist it.
Respond to trials by drawing closer to God, confident He is working them for your good.
Test every teaching, message and media you encounter against the Word of God before embracing it.
View each trial as God’s instrument to refine your character, not to break you.