Why Does God Test Us? Scriptures on Testing & Trials

BY MARTHA MAC / SO4J.com / SO4J-TV

WHY DOES GOD TEST US? – Scriptures on Tests & Trials – 6 Reasons Why God Tests Us. According to God’s Word, the Lord is Examining us, and Allowing True Believer’s to be Tested, and or Tried. God uses Tests & Trials to (now or later) Reward the Believer for Obeying God’s Word (James 1:12), and to Prove their Faith was Genuine (1 Peter 1:7) and more! He will also use Tests to someday PUNISH the Unsaved (Great White Throne Judgment)— those who Refuse to Obey Him (Rom 2:6-10, Eph 5:6). At the bottom of this page is a Summed-Up – Why Does God Test Us . Also check out: Life Is A Test and Why Does God Allow Evil?

Jeremiah 17:10 (NASB) “I, the Lord, SEARCH (EXAMINE) the HEART, I TEST the MIND, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his DEEDS.”
Job 23:10 (NASB) “But HE knows the way I take; when HE has TRIED ME [TESTED], I shall come forth as GOLD.”
1 Peter 1:6-9 (NASB) “In this you GREATLY REJOICE, even though now for a LITTLE WHILE, if NECESSARY, you have been DISTRESSED by VARIOUS TRIALS, so that the PROOF of your FAITH, being more precious than GOLD which is PERISHABLE, even though TESTED BY FIRE, may be found to result in PRAISE and GLORY and HONOR at the REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST; and though you have NOT SEEN HIM, you LOVE HIM, and though you do NOT SEE HIM NOW, but BELIEVE in HIM, you GREATLY REJOICE with JOY INEXPRESSIBLE and FULL of GLORY, obtaining as the outcome of your FAITH the SALVATION of your SOULS.“
- QUOTE BY MARTYN LLOYD-JONES: “It is very DIFFICULT to be HUMBLE if you are always SUCCESSFUL, so GOD CHASTISES us with FAILURE (so to speak) at times in order to HUMBLE us, to keep us in a STATE of HUMILITY.” [2 Corinthians 12:7-10]

This is Part 3 in an SO4J Article Series regarding the “Storms of Life”

ON THIS PAGE:

GOD TESTS & EXAMINES US ALL THE TIME
SCRIPTURES ON TESTING
GREAT TIME OF TESTING
GOD’S FIRST TEST – ADAM & EVE
OPEN BOOK TEST – USING GOD’S WORD
CHOICES – MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS / TRUE & FALSE
6 REASONS WHY GOD IS TESTING US
GOD TESTS OUR CHARACTER & INTEGRITY – TO SEE IF WE WILL LOVINGLY OBEY HIM
THOSE WHO OVERCOME (SIN, TRIALS, TESTS) WILL INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE & MORE!
TO REVEAL WHAT IS PRESENTLY IN OUR HEARTS, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD
TO FIND OUT IF YOU WILL YOU DO THINGS FOR GOD’S GLORY OR FOR MERE FAME & FORTUNE?
TO PRODUCE FRUITS OF PATIENCE, LEADING TO— SANCTIFICATION & CONFORMITY TO CHRIST
REVEAL & SHOW HIS FAITHFULNESS, MERCIES, LOVE, AND COMFORT TO HIS HOLY PEOPLE
MAKE US WORTHY OF HIS KINGDOM— TO REWARD OVERCOMERS WITH THE CROWN OF LIFE
JESUS IS OUR ULTIMATE EXAMPLE— WHEN WE ARE TESTED & TEMPTED
WE SHOULD ALWAYS STICK TO GODS WRITTEN WORD FOR DIRECTION
TEST & EXAMINE YOUR FAITH – 2 COR 13:5
CONCLUSION
WHY DOES GOD TEST US? SUMMED UP – BY GOT QUESTIONS

RELATED ARTICLES:

AUDIOS ON THIS TOPIC BY OUR PASTOR: JOHN MACARTHUR ON GTY.org:

AUDIO – HOW GOD USES SUFFERING – PART 1&2 JOHN MACARTHUR – 2 Cor 12:7-10
AUDIO – SUFFICIENT GRACE FOR HUMBLING CIRCUMSTANCES – PART 1&2 – JOHN MACARTHUR
AUDIO: DELIVERED TO SATAN – PART 1&2 – JOHN MACARTHUR – 1 Tim 1:19-20

God Tests & Examines Us – Some Facts About Testings

Why Does God Test Us? Scriptures on How God Tests us - SO4J-TV - SO4J.com

1 – According to God’s Word, the Lord is EXAMINING us, and Allowing Our Hearts & Minds to be TESTED, and/or Tried

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NKJV) “We speak as men Approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. We are Not trying to Please men but GOD, who TESTS our HEARTS.”
Jeremiah 17:10 (NASB) “I, the Lord, search (EXAMINE) the HEART, I TEST the MIND“

2 – God is Examining & Allowing us to be TESTED ALL the Time

Job 7:18 “You EXAMINE us every Morning & TEST us every moment”

3 – God will use these Tests & Trials to REWARD Believers for Obeying God’s Word

James 1:12 “God blesses those who Patiently Endure TESTING and TEMPTATION. Afterward they will receive the CROWN OF LIFE that God has promised to those who love Him.”

4 – God will use Tests & Trials to Prove that our Faith was Genuine

1 Peter 1:6-7 “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many TRIALS for a little while. These TRIALS will show that your Faith is Genuine. It is being TESTED as fire TESTS and purifies GOLD—though your Faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your Faith remains strong through MANY TRIALS, it will bring you much Praise and Glory and Honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the Whole World.”

5 – God will use TESTS to PUNISH the Unsaved— those Refusing to Obey Him – Rom 2:6-10,Eph 5:6

Jeremiah 17:10 (NASB) “I, the Lord, search (EXAMINE) the HEART, I TEST THE MIND, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his DEEDS.”

6 – God does Not Tempt us. He cannot Be Tempted, and He Tempts No One

God However ALLOWS Us to be Tested and/or Tempted

James 1:13-16 (NASB) “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.”

7 – People In The Bible Who God Allowed To Be Tested / Tempted

– God allowed ABRAHAM’s Obedience to be Tested – Gen 22:1-2

– ISRAEL was Tested in the Wilderness – Deut 8:2-20

The Lord allowed the man named JOB to be Tempted by the Devil, Tested & Tried – Job 1:12

– JESUS Himself was Allowed to be Tempted by the Devil & Tested – Matt 4:1, Luke 4:2

– Jesus Tested the Disciple PHILIP – John 6:5-6 (NASB & NKJV)

– God Tested or Tried JOSEPH’s Character – Psalm 105:19 “Until the time came to fulfill his Dreams, the Lord (the Word of the Lord) TESTED Joseph’s character.”

8 – God allows us to Overcome Sin & Problems through Obedience & Trust in God’s Word— this is what Faith is— Believing & Obeying God’s Word despite what our Circumstances & Feelings say.

Like Jesus, we are to Overcome Sin & Temptation through Christ & God’s Word. (Heb 4:15, Heb 2:18, Luke 4:4, Matt 4:4)

9 – Those who Overcome (Sin, Trials, Tests) will Inherit Eternal Life & More!

8 SCRIPTURES FOR BEING AN OVERCOMER – REWARDS FOR OVERCOMERS & THE VICTORIOUS

Video: You Must Overcome!

8 SCRIPTURE PROMISES FROM JESUS IN REVELATION FOR BEING AN OVERCOMER – REWARDS FOR OVERCOMERS & THE VICTORIOUS
Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:26, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:12, Rev 3:21, Rev 21:7 MORE: 1 John 5:4-5, John 16:33

1 – Revelation 2:7 (NASB) Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. To him who OVERCOMES, I will give to eat from the TREE OF LIFE which is in the the Paradise of God.”

2 – Revelation 2:11 (NASB) Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. He who OVERCOMES will NOT be hurt by the SECOND DEATH.”

3 – Revelation 2:17 (NASB) Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. To him who OVERCOMES, to him I will give some of the HIDDEN MANNA, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.”

4 – Revelation 2:26 (NASB) Jesus says, “He who OVERCOMES, and KEEPS MY DEEDS until the END, to him I will give POWER over the NATIONS.”

5 – Revelation 3:5 (NASB) Jesus says, “He who OVERCOMES will thus be CLOTHED in WHITE GARMENTS, and I will NOT ERASE his Name from the BOOK OF LIFE; and I will CONFESS his name before My Father and before His Angels.” (What does Revelation 3:5 mean? Is it Possible for a Person’s Name to be Erased from the Book Of Life?)

6 – Revelation 3:12 (NASB) Jesus says, “He who OVERCOMES, I will make him a PILLAR in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the Name of My God and the Name of the City of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God.”

7 – Revelation 3:21 (NASB) Jesus says, “He who OVERCOMES, I will grant to SIT with ME on MY THRONE, as I also OVERCAME and sat down with My Father on His Throne.”

8 – Revelation 21:7 (NASB) Jesus says, “He who OVERCOMES will INHERIT THESE THINGS, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”

– 1 John 5:4-5 (NASB) “For whatever is BORN OF GOD (Born Again) OVERCOMES the WORLD; and this is the VICTORY that has OVERCOME the WORLD— our FAITH. Who is he who OVERCOMES the WORLD, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

– John 16:33 (NASB) Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have Peace. In the WORLD you will have TRIBULATION, but take courage; I have OVERCOME the WORLD.”

10 – God Sees & Hears EVERYTHING we DO

Below is an Example of how God sees Everything we all do right now. Jesus (below) is talking about ALL that He Sees a one of the seven Churches in Revelation doing.

We are being Judged and Tested on our: Obedience to God’s Word out of our Love for Jesus (John 14:15): our Love, Faith, Service, Patient Endurance, Not Tolerating False Teachings & False Teachers, etc. We can hide nothing from Him (Heb 4:13).

Revelation 2:2-7 Jesus says, “I Know ALL the Things you DO. I have SEEN your HARD WORK and your PATIENT ENDURANCE. I know you DON’T TOLERATE EVIL PEOPLE. You have EXAMINED THE CLAIMS of Those who SAY they are APOSTLES BUT ARE NOT. You have Discovered they are Liars. You have PATIENTLY SUFFERED FOR ME WITHOUT QUITTING. “But I have this COMPLAINT AGAINST YOU. You DON’T LOVE ME or EACH OTHER as you did at First! Look how far you have Fallen! Turn back to Me and DO the Works you did at First. If you Don’t Repent, I will Come and Remove your Lampstand from its place among the Churches. But this is in your Favor: You HATE THE EVIL DEEDS OF THE NICOLAITANS, just as I do. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the Churches. To everyone who is VICTORIOUS (OVER SIN THRU CHRIST) I will give Fruit from the TREE OF LIFE in the PARADISE OF GOD“
Revelation 2:19-20 Jesus says, “I know ALL the things you DO. I have SEEN your LOVE, your FAITH, your SERVICE, and your PATIENT ENDURANCE. And I can SEE your Constant Improvement in all these things….”
Revelation 3:15-17 Jesus says, “I Know ALL the Things you DO, that you are Neither Hot nor Cold (Good Water). I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like Lukewarm Water (Bad Water), neither Hot nor Cold, I will spit you out of My mouth!…”
Hebrews 4:13 (NKJV) “And there is NO creature HIDDEN from His sight, but ALL things are NAKED and OPEN to the EYES of HIM to whom we must GIVE ACCOUNT.”

Scriptures on Testing

God has an Eternal Sovereign Plan & Purpose for Examining us Daily, and allowing us to be Tested. Take a look at these Many Scriptures on Testing— then we’ll look more at: How, When, & Why God Tests us

Genesis 22:1-2 (NASB) “Now it came about after these things, that God TESTED Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”
Deuteronomy 8:2-20 “Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, HUMBLING you and TESTING you to PROVE your CHARACTER, and to find out whether or not you would OBEY HIS COMMANDS. Yes, he Humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 8:16 “He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your Ancestors. He did this to HUMBLE you and TEST YOU FOR YOUR OWN GOOD.”
Deuteronomy 13:3 “The Lord your God is TESTING you to see if you TRULY LOVE HIM with ALL YOUR HEART and SOUL.”
Judges 2:22 “I did this to TEST Israel—to see whether or not they would FOLLOW THE WAYS OF THE LORD as their Ancestors did.”
Judges 3:1 “Now these are the nations which the Lord left, that He might TEST Israel by them, that is, all who had not known any of the wars in Canaan
Judges 3:4 “And they were left, that He might TEST Israel by them, to know whether they would OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers..”
2 Chronicles 32:31 “God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to TEST HIM and to see what was REALLY in his Heart.”
Job 1:12 “All right, you may TEST him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.”
Job 7:18 “For you EXAMINE us every MORNING and TEST US EVERY MOMENT.”
Job 23:10 “He knows where I am going. When He TESTS ME, I will come out as Pure as Gold”
Psalm 11:4-5 (NASB) “His eyes behold, His eyelids TEST the sons of men. The Lord TESTS the Righteous and the Wicked…”
Psalm 17:3 “You have TESTED MY THOUGHTS and EXAMINED my HEART in the Night. You have SCRUTINIZED me and found NOTHING WRONG. I am determined NOT to Sin in what I say.”
Psalm 26:2 “Put me on TRIAL, Lord, & CROSS EXAMINE ME. TEST MY MOTIVES & MY HEART.”
Psalm 66:10 “You have TESTED US, O God; you have PURIFIED us like silver.”
Psalm 105:19 “Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord TESTED JOSEPH’SCHARACTER.”
Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, & know my heart; TEST ME & know my Anxious Thoughts.”
Proverbs 17:3 “Fire TESTS the purity of silver & gold, but the LORD TESTS the HEART.”
Proverbs 27:21 “Fire TESTS the purity of silver & gold, but a person is TESTED BY BEING PRAISED.”
Isaiah 48:10 (NASB) “Behold, I have Refined you, but not as silver; I have TESTED you in the Furnace of Affliction.”
Jerermiah 11:20 “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you make righteous Judgments, and YOU EXAMINE the DEEPEST THOUGHTS and SECRETS.”
Jeremiah 12:3 “Lord, you know my Heart. You see me and TEST my THOUGHTS.”
Jeremiah 17:10 “I, the Lord, SEARCH ALL HEARTS and EXAMINE (TEST) SECRET MOTIVES. I give all people their DUE REWARDS, according to what their ACTIONS DESERVE.”
Jeremiah 20:12 “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you TEST those who are RIGHTEOUS, and you EXAMINE the DEEPEST THOUGHTS and SECRETS.”
Romans 5:4 “Because of our Faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into PROBLEMS AND TRIALS, for we know that they help us DEVELOP ENDURANCE. And ENDURANCE DEVELOPS STRENGTH OF CHARACTER, and CHARACTER STRENGHTENS our Confident HOPE of SALVATION. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how DEARLY GOD LOVES US, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
2 Corinthians 2:9 “For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the TEST, whether you are Obedient in All things.”
2 Corinthians 8:2 “They are being TESTED by many TROUBLES, and they are VERY POOR. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NKJV) “On the contrary, we speak as men Approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel. We are Not trying to Please men but GOD, WHO TESTS OUR HEARTS.”
Hebrews 2:18 “Since he himself (JESUS) as gone through SUFFERING and TESTING, He is able to help us WHEN WE ARE BEING TESTED.“
Hebrews 11:17 “It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was TESTING HIM. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac”
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 (result), that you may be PERFECT and COMPLETE, LACKING IN NOTHING.”
James 1:12 “God blesses those who patiently endure TESTING and TEMPTATION. Afterward they will receive the Crown of Life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
1 Peter 1:7 “These TRIALS will show that your FAITH IS GENUINE. It is being TESTED as fire TESTS and purifies Gold—though your FAITH is far more precious than mere Gold. So when your FAITH remains strong through many TRIALS, it will bring you much PRAISE and GLORY and HONOR on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the Whole World.”
1 Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the FIREY TRIALS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, as if something strange were happening to you.”
Revelation 3:10 Jesus says, “Because you have OBEYED MY COMMAND TO PERSEVERE, I will protect you from the GREAT TIME OF TESTING that will come upon the WHOLE WORLD to TEST those who belong to this World.”

The Great Time of Testing

During the Great Tribulation (Rev 7:14, Matt 24:21), there is going to be a Great Time of Testing that is going to come upon the World to TEST those who belong to this World. Go to: End Times Events

Revelation 3:10-11 Jesus says, “Because you have Obeyed my command to Persevere, I will protect you from the GREAT TIME OF TESTING that will come upon the WHOLE WORLD TO TEST those who belong to this world.I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your Crown.”

We however are actually undergoing a Great Time of Testings RIGHT now— it’s not the Tribulation, but this time of Testing started in the Book of Genesis with Adam & Eve, and it will finish up in the Book of Revelation.

This Time of Testing (that started in the Garden of Eden until now) has been a LOVE TEST (so to speak) for all mankind. God will use these TESTINGS, TRIALS, & TEMPTATIONS for God’s own Eternal Glory, and for the Glory of His Son. God will use these Testing’s & Trials to either Reward those who persevered through the Hard Times & Obeyed God’s Word, out of a Love for Jesus (John 14:15, John 14:21)— Or He will Punish those who Rebelled, and did not Obey God’s Word (2 Thess 1:7-11).

For Info on Rewards go to: Rewards in Heaven – Who Will be the Greatest in the Kingdom of God?

Let’s now take a quick look at God’s First Test of Love & Obedience, in the Story of Adam & Eve.

God’s First Test – Adam & Eve

The Testing & Trials that God allows in all of our lives started in the Garden of Eden, when God Tested Adam & Eve, the first two people, by offering them a Choice(Gen 3:1-24). The Test was actually a Love Test of whether they would lovingly Obey God’s Voice (John 10:27-28) to NOT eat the Fruit off the Forbidden Tree (Gen 2:16-17)— OR would they listen to the Voice of a Stranger (John 10:4-5)— Satan, the Evil fallen Angel (Gen 3:1, Isa 14:12-16, Ezek 28:12-19).

God had given them One Commandment to NOT eat off this Tree— He later gave us in the Old Testament the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:3-17), and in the New Testament Jesus summed up ALL the Commandments by giving us the TWO Greatest Commandments in Mark 12:30-31.

Adam & Eve failed the First Love Test (so to speak), and the result was: Sin & Death. They were then ushered out of God’s Presence, and kicked out of the Garden of Eden (Paradise) never to return again (Gen 3:23-24).

Ever since this First Test, the Whole World as I mentioned, has been under a Great Time of Testing (Rev 3:10-11), and we too have failed our Tests miserably (Rom 3:23). Once again the Result is Eternal Death (Rom 6:23, Ezek 18:20). We’re ALL in trouble, and we need a Savior. That Savior is Jesus, who was God, and who came to Earth to endure many Trials & Testings (a torturous death). He did this to Demonstrate & Display to all His Infinite Love & Mercy (Rom 5:8) against the backdrop of Evil, so that He can point to Us, in Future Ages to come, as His Examples of His Incredible Wealth of Grace & Kindness to us Sinners (See Eph 2:7). He now is asking us to Demonstrate & Display our Love too— for Him (John 14:15, 21), and for one another (John 15:13). We too, like Jesus, must Humble Ourselves (Phil 2:5-11).

We must Turn from our Sin, Pick up our Cross (Matt 10:37-39) and Follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). Please Go to the Gospel of Jesus Christ – Video & Bible Study for more Info.

Open Book Test – Using God’s Word

Like Adam & Eve, we too are Being Tested every day as well. The Lord however graciously gives us an OPEN BOOK TEST (so to speak), and so we are to Open God’s Word daily, and Study Life’s Tests.

When we were in Elementary or High School, our Teacher Tested our Growth on a certain topic, by giving us a TEST to see how much we had: Learned, how much we Know, or do Not Know. If we Passed our Test we received the Reward of a Passing Grade. If we Failed our Test, we needed to GO BACK, and RE-STUDY the Material that we Failed until we hopefully understood it, or we might Fail to Advance and be able to go forward.

James 1:2-4 “Dear Brothers and Sisters, when Troubles come your way, Consider it an Opportunity for Great Joy. For you know that when your FAITH IS TESTED, your Endurance has a Chance to GROW. So let it GROW, for when your Endurance is Fully Developed, you will be Perfect and Complete, needing Nothing.”

God Patiently & Graciously gives us Time in this Life to Overcome & Pass Life’s Test through God’s Word.

2 Peter 3:9 (NASB) “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to Perish (Hell) but for all to come to Repentance.”

If we Love Jesus we will want to Obey God’s Commandments (John 14:15, 21, John 15:10, John 8:31, 1 John 2:3-6), and apply His Word to our lives Daily, and apply it to all of our Tests & Trials.

We are constantly being Tested & Tempted by being offered CHOICES. So we need God’s Word to Guide us, with all of our “MULTIPLE CHOICE” Questions, and “TRUE & FALSE” Questions as well.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to Teach us what is True and to make us realize what is Wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and Teaches us to do what is right.”
2 Timothy 2:15 “STUDY to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD OF TRUTH.”

Choices – Multiple Choice / True & False Questions

These MULTIPLE CHOICE/TRUE & FALSE Questions in our “Open Book Test” are Choices of:

How Do You Spend Your: TIME, TALENT, AND MONEY— and with WHOM or WHAT are you choosing to Spend your Time with. Are you going to TOLERATE FALSE TEACHERS or Follow good Sound Doctrine?

Will you SIN or NOT SIN AGAINST GOD when offered a Choice? Joseph, in the Old Testament was Tested and did NOT Sin against God. (Psa 105:19, Gen 39:9-10)

God will Test you to find out what is in your Heart— What Are Your True MOTIVES & AGENDA.

We will all have to give an Account of what we did in this lifetime. God uses these many Testings & Trials to determine our REWARDS IN HEAVEN FOREVER (getting an A+), our LOSS OF ETERNAL REWARDS (1 Cor 3:11-13,14-15), OR will we FAIL our “Open Book Test” and receive PUNISHMENT (an F)— FOREVER as well. Matt 25:30; 25:45-46. (Judgment Scriptures – 2 Cor 5:10-11, Matt 16:27, Rom 2:5-11, Rom 14:10-12)

Now let’s look at just SOME of the many Reasons for WHY GOD TESTS US:

6 Reasons Why God Tests Us – Links

GOD TESTS OUR CHARACTER & INTEGRITY – TO SEE IF WE WILL LOVINGLY OBEY HIM
TO REVEAL WHAT IS PRESENTLY IN OUR HEARTS, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD
TO FIND OUT IF YOU WILL YOU DO THINGS FOR GOD’S GLORY OR FOR MERE FAME & FORTUNE?
TO PRODUCE FRUITS OF PATIENCE, LEADING TO— SANCTIFICATION & CONFORMITY TO CHRIST
REVEAL & SHOW HIS FAITHFULNESS, MERCIES, LOVE, AND COMFORT TO HIS HOLY PEOPLE
MAKE US WORTHY OF HIS KINGDOM— TO REWARD OVERCOMERS WITH THE CROWN OF LIFE

1 – God Tests Our Character & Integrity- Do We Lovingly Obey Him? Is He First Place?

God Tests our Character & Integrity & Do We Put Jesus First Place? SO4J-TV - SO4J.com

GOD TESTS US TO— See if we Truly Love Him with all of our Heart & Soul. He Tests Our Character.

If you and I say that we love Jesus, and we say that we are a Followers of Jesus, and we call ourselves Christians, guess what? Our love for Him will be Tested, and many of these Tests are a Test of our Integrity.

2 Corinthians 2:9 (NASB) “For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the TEST, whether you are Obedient in All things.”

For instance: God Tested Judas, the Disciple who betrayed Jesus. Judas, just so happen to be put in Charge of the Finances of the Ministry of Jesus. Judas did NOT pass his small daily Integrity Tests. We know this because it says that He OFTEN STOLE SOME (MONEY) FOR HIMSELF. Judas was proven by the TESTINGS OF GOD to be a THIEF. Judas did not Obey God’s Word out of a Love for God— He did not truly Love Jesus. (John 14:15, John 14:21)

John 12:6 says, “Not that he (Judas) cared for the Poor—he was a Thief (John 10:10), and since he was in charge of the Disciples’ Money, he OFTEN STOLE SOME FOR HIMSELF.”

Joseph, in the Old Testament, was a man of incredible Integrity, and Character. He loved God, and God loved Him. God was with Joseph (Gen 39:2). God however wanted to Test Joseph’s Love for Him, to see if it was genuine. If it was truly Genuine, he was about to be Promoted to a Great Leadership Position.

Psalm 105:19 “Until the time came to fulfill his Dreams, the Lord TESTED JOSEPHS CHARACTER.”

Joseph was about to encounter a series of Temptations, Testings, & Trials, and one of those Tests was the Integrity Test, just like Judas encountered. Joseph however Passed his Test, as well as his many others. Gen 39:1-20 (Whole Story of Joseph Gen 30 thru 50).

God Tested Joseph’s Character by allowing him to be Tempted to Lust & Sin against God, through allowing Joseph to be Tempted by the Evil Wife of the Captain of the Palace Guard. Day after Day she would constantly come up to Joseph, and pressure him to sleep with her, but he refused her every time (Gen 39:9-10). Joseph feared the Lord, and because he had the FEAR OF GOD the Lord, Joseph passed his Integrity Test. He was later Promoted to be Second in Command next to Pharaoh himself, in Egypt.

More Scriptures on God Testing Our Love, Our Obedience & Character:

Deuteronomy 13:3, Deuteronomy 8:2-20, Deuteronomy 8:16, Deuteronomy 13:3, Judges 2:22

2 – To Reveal What is Presently in our Hearts, whether Good or Bad

GOD TESTS US TO— Reveal what is presently in our Hearts & Lives— whether Good or Bad. He Tests us by appearing to Withdraw from us. One Example of a Test like that was when God WITHDREW from Hezekiah, as a TEST, to reveal to Hezekiah what was really in his Heart.

2 Chronicles 32:31 “GOD WITHDREW from Hezekiah in order to TEST HIM and to see what was REALLY in his Heart.”

Of course the Lord knows what is in all our Heart’s, he knows our Motives, and the reasons WHY we do WHAT we do, even before we do it. The Trials & the Testings of this life for a True Believer, is from God, and the end result is for our Good.

Romans 8:28 “We know that God causes ALL THINGS to work together for the GOOD of those who LOVE GOD and are CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE for them.”

But we must Examine our Heart and make sure that if God appears to be distancing Himself from you, that it isn’t because of a result of Sin in your Life. (2 Cor 13:5)

3 – To Find Out If You Will Do Things For God’s Glory, or For The Praise of Man

GOD TESTS US TO— Find out if we will do things for God’s Glory, or for mere the Praise of People

Proverbs 27:21 “Fire TESTS the purity of silver & gold, but a person is TESTED BY BEING PRAISED.“
1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you Eat or Drink, or Whatever you do, do it all for the GLORY OF GOD“
John 3:30 John the Baptist: “He must become GREATER and GREATER, and I must become LESS AND LESS”

4 – To Produce Fruits of Patience, Leading To— Sanctification & Conformity to Christ

GOD TESTS US TO— Give us a Need to Reach for Him. It reveals what is presently inside us, which in turn gives us a Need for Him, and it is developing Godly Character in us by Teaching us Patience & Endurance through Trusting more and more in God’s Word through the various Storms of Life. It leads us to produce more Fruit for Jesus. The end Result is that we might be conformed to Image of Jesus Christ.

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 (ENDURANCE) . But let PATIENCE (ENDURANCE) have its perfect work (result), that you may be PERFECT AND COMPLETE, LACKING IN NOTHING.”
Galatians 5:22-23 “The Holy Spirit PRODUCES THIS KIND OF FRUIT in our lives: Love, Joy, Peace, PATIENCE, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.”
John 15:8 Jesus says, “My True Disciples Produce MUCH FRUIT.”
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be MIRRORS that BRIGHTLY REFLECT the GLORY OF THE LORD. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become MORE AND MORE LIKE HIM (JESUS) and REFLECT HIS GLORY EVEN MORE.”
Matthew 5:48 Jesus says, “But you are to be PERFECT, even as your Father in Heaven is PERFECT.”

5 – To Reveal & Show His Faithfulness, Mercies, Love, and Comfort To His Holy People

GOD TESTS US TO— Reveal & Display (Eph 2:7) His Eternal Faithfulness, Grace, & Mercies of God to His Holy People, His Children for all future Generations to come!

Ephesians 2:7 “So God can point to us in ALL FUTURE AGES AS EXAMPLES OF THE INCREDIBLE WEALTH OF GRACE & KINDNESS TOWARDS US, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.”

Leading us to Trust God the Father More & More, and in turn want to be like Christ to one another. We are to show the same Comfort, Grace, & Mercy to Others, as Christ has done for us.

Hebrews 2:18 “Since He Himself (JESUS) has gone through SUFFERING and TESTING, He is able to help us when WE are being TESTED.”
2 Corinthians 1:1-12 “I am writing to God’s Church in Corinth and to all of His HOLY PEOPLE throughout Greece. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you GRACE and PEACE. All Praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our MERCIFUL FATHER and the source of ALL COMFORT. He COMFORTS US in ALL our TROUBLES so that WE can COMFORT OTHERS. When they are TROUBLED, we will be able to give them the SAME COMFORT GOD HAS GIVEN US. For the MORE we SUFFER FOR CHRIST, the MORE God will SHOWER US WITH HIS COMFORT THROUGH CHRIST. Even when we are WEIGHED DOWN WITH TROUBLES, it is for YOUR COMFORT and SALVATION! For when we ourselves are COMFORTED, we will certainly COMFORT YOU. Then you can PATIENTLY ENDURE THE SAME THINGS WE SUFFER. We are confident that as you SHARE IN OUR SUFFERINGS, you will also SHARE in the COMFORT GOD GIVES US. We think you ought to know, dear Brothers and Sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we STOPPED RELYING ON OURSELVES AND LEARNED TO RELY ONLY ON GOD, who raises the dead. And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by Praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because GOD HAS GRACIOUSLY ANSWERED SO MANY PRAYERS FOR OUR SAFETY. We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a GOD-GIVEN HOLINESS AND SINCERITY IN ALL OUR DEALINGS. We have DEPENDED ON GOD’S GRACE, NOT ON OUR OWN HUMAN WISDOM.”

6 – Make us Worthy of His Kingdom— To Reward Overcomers With the Crown of Life

MORE BIBLE TEACHINGS ON REWARDS:

GOD TESTS US TO— Make us Worthy of His Eternal Kingdom— He Rewards those who Suffered (gave up their Sin (1 Peter 4:1), endured harsh treatment (Matt 10:22), Sacrificed, and Endured with Great Patience the Great Time of Testing that is upon this World.

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 “We proudly tell God’s other Churches about your ENDURANCE and FAITHFULNESS in all the PERSECUTIONS and HARDSHIPS YOU ARE SUFFERING. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you WORTHY OF HIS KINGDOM, for which you are SUFFERING. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.”
James 1:12 “God blesses those who patiently endure TESTING and TEMPTATION. Afterward they will receive the Crown of Life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV) “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 & ETERNAL WEIGHT of GLORY, while we do NOT LOOK at the things which are SEEN, but at the things which are NOT SEEN. For the things which are SEEN are TEMPORARY, but the things which are NOT SEEN are ETERNAL.”

Overcomer Scriptures— Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:26, Rev 3:5, Rev 3:12, Rev 3:21, Rev 21:7, 1 John 5:4-5, John 16:33

Jesus Is Our Ultimate Example— When We Are Tested & Tempted

MORE ON HOW TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS HERE:

JESUS BECAME OUR ULTIMATE EXAMPLE of how we are to handle ourselves when we undergo the: Testings, Trials, and Temptations from the Evil one— when we go through the Dry Desert times when God seems distant, or when we are Emotionally & Physically drained, feel Lonely, and/or Depression has set in. (Phil 2:5-11)

Before Jesus died on the Cross for us, He too allowed Himself to undergo a series of Testings & Temptations. In Matt 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1-13 – Jesus was Tested & Tempted when he was in the Dry Desert Wilderness, alone for 40 days and Nights, going without Food. At the end of this 40 day period, Satan, who had observed a very Physically weak Jesus, took advantage of His Physical Weakness, and once again (like the Garden of Eden) tried to lie to Jesus by Twisting God’s Word, like he always does. Jesus simply stuck to God’s Written Word, in the Scriptures that God gave Moses, and quoted God’s Word back at Satan. He would give no place to the Devil.

Ephesians 4:27 says, “nor give place to the devil”.

Satan’s attempt to Test & Tempt the Son of God in Luke 4:1-13 had failed through the Lord Jesus’ Obedience to the Father & God’s Written Word. The Result of Jesus being able to pass these: Tests, Trials, and Temptations was he showed his Great Love for us, and for God the Father by being Obedient unto Death. (Phil 2:5-10) Love was shown to us by Demonstration of Jesus becoming a Sacrifice (payment) for our Sins, and Victory came through Humble Obedience to the God’s Word.

When Being Tested We Too Should Always Stick to God’s Written Word for Direction

Like Jesus, our Ultimate Example – A True Believer should always stick to God’s Word for Direction when undergoing the: Firey Tests, Trials, and Temptations of this Life.

Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by Hearing, and Hearing by the WORD OF GOD.”
Hebrews 11:6 “It is impossible to please God without FAITH. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

We are NOT to be led by voices you hear in your Head, or Peoples visions for your Life. You do not know for sure these words are 100% accurate, but you do know that God’s Word is 100% accurate. It is important to line up everything with the Word of God.

Jeremiah 17:9 says “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”
Proverbs 14:12 says, There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

Much of the Charismatic Craze these days is the giving of Personal Visions & Prophecies to one another, but MANY of these Personal Prophecies have later been proven False, so what we see these days are many False Prophets running around making big claims saying that “Thus says the Lord…or God has Spoken”, when God has NOT spoken. (Heb 1:1-2)

There are MANY more ways that God Tests Us— but now let’s look at how we are to Test & Examine Ourselves, then we will look at the various Scriptures on Testing.

Test & Examine Your Faith with God’s Word

Examine Your Faith - Test Yourself - SO4J-TV - SO4J.com

God’s Word tells a True Believer to: TEST & EXAMINE YOURSELVES to see if we are really in the Faith. Are we truly Born Again? Does our life Reflect God’s Word, and the Life of Jesus Christ? Do we Act like Jesus? Talk like Jesus? Think like Jesus More and More every day?— Being Conformed into the Image of Christ? (Rom 8:29-30, 2 Cor 3:16-18) If Not, and we are Practicing Sin (1 John 3:8-10, Heb 10:26-31) then we are Failing the Test.

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “EXAMINE YOURSELVES to see if your FAITH IS GENUINE. TEST YOURSELVES. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have FAILED THE TEST OF GENUINE FAITH.”

We need to take the time to EXAMINE OURSELVES NOW, and JUDGE OURSELVES NOW with God’s Word. We need to Turn from our Sins & Believe in the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, so we will not be Judged along with the rest of the World, and be found Guilty and Condemned (1 Cor 11:31-32).

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 “But if we would EXAMINE OURSELVES (now), we would not be JUDGED BY GOD in this way. Yet when we are JUDGED BY THE LORD, we are being DISCIPLINED so that we will NOT BE CONDEMNED ALONG WITH THE WORLD.”

Conclusion

I hope this Bible Study has opened your eyes some more to the Scriptures on Testing. This life is so short compared to Eternity— it is but a VAPOR (James 4:14). Let us remember that God will use these Testing’s & Trials for His Glory (1 Peter 1:7), to either REWARD True Believer’s (James 1:12)— those who persevered & Obeyed God’s Word despite the Hard Times when Tested— OR He will Punish those who Rebelled against His Word & Rejected Him (2 Thess 1:7-11).

Someday He will wipe away Evil, Death, Suffering, Sorrow, and Pain (Rev 21:4). Until then we must endure until the End (Matt 24:13), Having Faith & Trust in Jesus (Rev 14:12), and use all OPPORTUNITIES (Col 4:3)— (when we go through these Various Trials – James 1:2-3) for His Great Glory (1 Peter 1:7, 1 Cor 10:31)! All Praise & Honor to Jesus Forever (Jude 1:25, Rev 5:12)!

Summed-Up – Why Does God Test Us?

(Summed Up)

Below is a Summed Up Answer from GotQuestions.org regarding the Question: “Why Does God Test Us?”

Answer: When we ask why God tests us, or allows us to be tested, we are admitting that testing does indeed come from Him, as clearly taught in Scripture. Although we are forbidden to test Him (Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7), when God tests His children, He does a valuable thing. David sought God’s testing, asking Him to examine his heart and mind and see that they were true to Him (Psalm 26:2; 139:23). In both the Old and New Testaments, the words translated “test” mean to prove by trial. Therefore, when God tests His children, the purpose is to prove that our faith is real. Not that God needs to prove it to Himself since He knows all things; rather, He is proving to us that our faith is real, that we are truly His children, and that no trial or test will overcome that faith.

In His Parable of the Sower, Jesus identifies the ones who fall away as those who receive the seed of God’s Word with joy, but as soon as a time of testing comes along, they fall away. James clearly explains that the testing of our faith develops perseverance, which leads to maturity in our walk with God. Perseverance in times of trial and testing will result in our spiritual maturity, our completeness (James 1:3-4). James goes on to say that testing is a blessing, because when the testing is over and we have “stood the test,” we will “receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). Testing and trying come from our heavenly Father who works all things together for good for those who love Him and who are called to be the children of God (Romans 8:28).

The testing or trials we undergo come in various ways. Becoming a Christian will often require us to move out of our comfort zones and into areas we have never encountered before. We’ve perhaps heard the saying ‘No pain – no gain’ when exercising our physical bodies. The same applies to exercising our faith in God. This is why James wrote ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds’ (James 1:2). Testing our faith can be in small things like daily irritations; they may also be severe afflictions (Isaiah 48:10). Whatever the source of the testing from God, it is to our benefit to undergo the trials.

The account of Job is a perfect example of God allowing one of His saints to be tested by the devil. Job bore all his trials patiently and “did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22). However, the account of Job’s testing is proof that Satan’s ability to tempt us is limited by God’s sovereign control. No demon can test or afflict us with beyond what God has ordained for His perfect purpose and our benefit.

There are many examples that can be used to illustrate the positive results from our being tested. The Psalmist likens our testing to that of being refined like silver (Psalm 66:10). Elsewhere in Scripture we can read of our trials as that of gold being refined in order to remove all its impurities (1 Peter 1:7). By the testing of our faith, God causes us to grow and mature into strong disciples who truly live by faith in Him, not by what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7).

When testing and trials come our way, we should receive them with joy, because we know that it is God who allows them to strengthen our faith. When we are knocked about in the storms of life, like the tree that digs its roots ever deeper for a greater grip, we must dig our roots deeper into God’s Word so we can withstand whatever comes against us.

Most comforting of all, we know that God will never allow us to be tested beyond what we are able to handle and in all things will provide a way out of the test (1 Corinthians 10:13). This does not mean He will remove the trial from us. Why would He when He says trials are for our benefit? Rather, the “way out” is the way through. the trial, with Him ever faithful by our side, until we come out on the other side of it by His grace and power, stronger and more mature Christians.

SO4J -TV Scripture Spotlight on Suffering, Trials, & Trusting in Jesus—

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “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 thingI 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.” 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.”
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 “The PAIN caused you to REPENT and CHANGE your ways. It was the kind of SORROW God wants His people to have…For the kind of SORROW God wants us to experience leads us away from SIN and RESULTS IN SALVATION. There’s no regret for that kind of SORROW. But WORLDLY SORROW, which LACKS REPENTANCE, results in SPIRITUAL DEATH.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 “TRUST in the LORD with ALL your Heart, and lean NOT on your OWN UNDERSTANDING; In ALL your Ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, and He shall DIRECT YOUR PATHS. Do NOT be Wise in your own Eyes; Fear the LORD and DEPART FROM EVIL. It will be HEALTH to your Flesh, and STRENGTH to your Bones.”
1 Peter 1:6-9 “So be truly glad. There is WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD, even though you have to ENDURE MANY TRIALS for a little while. These TRIALS will show that your FAITH IS GENUINE. It is being TESTED AS FIRE TESTS and PURIFIES GOLD —though your FAITH is far more Precious than mere Gold. So when your FAITH remains STRONG through MANY TRIALS, it will bring you much PRAISE and GLORY and HONOR on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole World. You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you Rejoice with a Glorious, Inexpressible Joy. The Reward for trusting Him will be the Salvation of your Souls.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV) “Therefore we DO NOT LOSE HEART. Even though our OUTWARD MAN is PERISHING, yet the INWARD MAN is being RENEWEDDAY by DAY. For our LIGHT AFFLICTION, which is but for a MOMENT, is working for us a FAR more EXCEEDING & ETERNAL WEIGHT of GLORY, while we do NOT LOOK at the things which are SEEN, but at the things which are NOT SEEN. For the things which are SEEN are TEMPORARY, but the things which are NOT SEEN are ETERNAL”
Psalms 25:16-18 (NKJV) “Turn Yourself (LORD) to me, and have MERCY on me, For I am DESOLATE and AFFLICTED. The TROUBLES of my HEART have ENLARGED; Bring me out of my DISTRESSES! Look on my AFFLICTION & my PAIN, and FORGIVE all my SINS.”
Psalm 46:1 (NKJV) “GOD is our REFUGE and STRENGTH, a very present help in TROUBLE.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NASB) “CASTING ALL your ANXIETY on Him, because He CARES for you.”
Psalm 55:22 (NASB) “CAST YOUR BURDEN on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He will NEVER permit the RIGHTEOUS to be SHAKEN.”
Psalm 51:8-15 (NASB) “Make me to HEAR JOY and GLADNESS, Let the bones which You have broken REJOICE. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then MY TONGUE will JOYFULLY SING of YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. O Lord, OPEN MY LIPS, that MY MOUTH may DECLARE YOUR PRAISE.”
Psalm 46:1 (NKJV) “GOD is our REFUGE and STRENGTH, a very present help in TROUBLE.”

“WHY DOES GOD TEST US?”
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