8832 testing
God allows his people to pass through certain experiences, so that he may see, and prove to them, that their faith in him is genuine. Believers sometimes doubt God and test him, to see if he is true to his word, but this is forbidden in Scripture.
God tests his people
Jas 1:2-3; 1Pe 1:7 See also Job 7:17-18; Job 23:10; Ps 11:5; Isa 1:25; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:3; Jas 1:12
Examples of God testing his people collectively
Ex 16:4; Dt 8:2-3 See also Ex 20:20 at the giving of the law; Dt 8:16 over the gathering of manna; Dt 13:3-4 by their attitude to a false prophet; Jdg 2:20-3:4 by leaving nations in the promised land
Examples of God testing his people individually
Ge 22:1-2 See also Jdg 7:4-7 Gideon; 2Ch 32:31 Hezekiah; 2Co 12:7-9 Paul
Jesus Christ tested the faith of people when he was on earth
Jn 6:5-6 See also Mt 15:22-28 pp Mk 7:25-30 a Canaanite woman; Mk 8:17-21 his disciples
Believers have a responsibility to test the quality of their lives
Ro 12:2 See also Ps 17:3 David prayed to God to test him: Ps 26:2; Ps 139:23
La 3:40; 2Co 13:5; Gal 6:4; 1Th 5:21
God will make a final test of believers’lives and service
People may test God as an expression of faith and obedience
People must not test God as an expression of doubt and disobedience
Ex 17:2 See also Ex 17:7 fn; Nu 14:22-23; Dt 6:16; Dt 33:8; Ps 78:18,41,56; Ps 95:8 fn; Mt 4:7 pp Lk 4:12; Dt 6:16; Mt 19:3 pp Mk 10:2; Ac 5:9; Ac 15:10; Heb 3:8-9
The command to test the spirits
See also
| 4351 | refining |
| 4645 | fleece |
| 5473 | proof through testing |
| 5593 | trial |
| 8027 | faith, testing of |
| 8104 | assurance |
| 8124 | guidance |
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