Why does God test us?

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Do you feel as though as you have been tested lately?

  • Yes

    Votes: 12 70.6%
  • No

    Votes: 2 11.8%
  • Where am I?

    Votes: 3 17.6%

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Tone

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makes me consider who is the accuser? Luke 23:12-14 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves. [13] And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, [14] Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:


John 5:45-47 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. [46] For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. [47] But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?


John 8:5-9 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? [6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. [7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. [8] And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. [9] And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Ongoing debate of what did he write on the ground...whatever it was he wrote on the ground ...miraculous “they heard” what was written on the ground where? Within ...what ground did he write on that they heard what he wrote within? Their conscience heard what was written. he speaks of “ground” even gives a parable of the difference in that ground where the word is sown.

Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. [11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Just thinking on the topic which is a good one but when “test” “tried” or “tempted” that it might be found unto the praise and glory of God in “the accuser of our brethren is cast (brought) down, which accused them before our God day and night.”


Yeah, this brings to mind another reason...

We are being conformed to the image of our Lord, Savior, and Elder Brother--so that we may come boldly before His Throne of Grace on that day...and make the accuser tremble at our feet.

If the Messiah was tested, tried, and brought through the fire...how much more must we, to see Him as He Is?

*1 John 3:2
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
 

VictoryinJesus

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*1 John 3:2
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

reminds me of Galatians 4:12-14 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am ; for I am as ye are : ye have not injured me at all. [13] Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. [14] And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
 
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amadeus

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"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I don't understand. Why are we tested? Wouldn't God already know the end result? Why do we have to get so stressed out?
What is the whole plan of God with regard to mankind? That really is your question. I agree that God already knows the end result, but He wants those who make it to the end of their course on His side to have a memory of an experience or set of experiences on which, what they themselves are... is based! Have we built what He wanted us to build? Are we building what He wants us to build in the Way He wants it built?

If for God there is really no time, then He established time [natural life span] itself for each of us to allow us a course [a natural limit time wise to grow into the perfectly fitted part] during which we are given tools and opportunities. As someone has already mentioned one of Jesus' parables gets into this growth and improvement thing. Then in the following verse Jesus speaks of the course with its trials using what each of us has been provided. What is it we do with what we have?

"But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:48
 
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marks

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"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I don't understand. Why are we tested? Wouldn't God already know the end result? Why do we have to get so stressed out?
God knows, but we don't. He tests us to prove to us that we are truly His. He also tests us to train us.

Romans 5:1-4 KJV
1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Afflictions work endurance, and endurance works experience, and experience, hope.

That is, our difficulties press us to trust in God, if God's we are. Facing our difficulties as we trust God, we have to just wait for it to be over, for Him to do His work. This "experience", it the proof of a thing in our past. As we find God carries us through every affliction, we begin to expect that He will in the future, and that is Hope. The looking ahead towards what is promised.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

This "way to escape", the word used there was used to describe a "safe haven out of a stormy sea". A harbor you can find shelter in. The way it's used in this verse, there is the idea that this is a particular way to escape. So God lets us be afflicted so that we'll go a certain direction, in our lives, in our thoughts, whatever needs a little tweaking to move us into the faith walk we need.

Much love!
 
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April_Rose

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Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
After you are saved the salvation that you work out is the walk with Christ....that is life with Christ by your side.

View attachment 14135





I love that poem it is probably my favorite too. :)
 

Ronald Nolette

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"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I don't understand. Why are we tested? Wouldn't God already know the end result? Why do we have to get so stressed out?


Gods testing is not what you think. This is an old English word which means to purify and strengthen.

When a goldsmith "tests" gold, they heat it till melting, all the dross comes to teh surface, they skim it off and let it cool and the result is a more pure bar of God. That is how God "tests" us.
 
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Behold

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"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I don't understand. Why are we tested? Wouldn't God already know the end result? Why do we have to get so stressed out?

Your verse does not say that God is testing anyone.
You verse says that you will be tested by a faith trial.
What test is that?
Its called "LIFE".
See, life is a test.
Its a test.
And it brings you situations as tests, no matter if you are saved or not.
So, its how we behave in the currents of life, how we deal with them, AS "New Creations".
Thats the testing of our faith.
Will we face them as Faithful and diligent and filled with faith......????
This is what God notices,.. He notices if we are facing them in His power, or in ours.
Are we in the state of receiving deliverance by God, or are we in the state of trying to work it all out in our self effort?
Are we waking out our salvation daily, in our flesh, or are we walking out our salvation in God's Grace.
It can't be both.

Now, it can be that God will give you something to do.
But that is not a Trial.
That's an obedience check.
 

Heart2Soul

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"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I don't understand. Why are we tested? Wouldn't God already know the end result? Why do we have to get so stressed out?
Who buys a car without test driving it first?
How can our Father expect us to do miracles without testing our faith first?
He tests our faith....is it strong enough to endure?
Will we give up or press on?
The book of Job is an excellent read about testing and faith.

Another analogy: how does a teacher know you have learned what you were taught? By giving you a test.
 

Mayflower

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I feel like I'm having some sort of testing today. I feel like I am failing maybe, but I'm really doing okay. Keep me in prayer. Could be my blood pressure/headaches messing with me. But feels like this Ted Dekker book. Absolute crazy.
 

Jostler

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Interesting.....Mayflower, I was just commenting on feeling odd today (and yesterday)....irritable, unsetled...
And no identifiable reason to be. I dunno....is something "stirred up" spiritually? I'm wondering....
 

DuckieLady

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It took me some time to read through these - and I honestly didn't know it would sprout up overnight because I posted it so late, but I'm glad it did! I appreciate all of your responses and I'm sorry I can't respond to all of them ...

Experience both reveals and builds character. Christianity would be easy if it weren't for all the SOB's in the world. That is, talk is cheap. Actually walking the walk is something to behold.

I think that might be my new favorite line.

When gold is heated, it is refined and purified. Have you ever noticed that when you're going through a fiery trial, nothing else matters but drawing closer to Jesus?

Romans 5:1-5 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.


I think this verse explains why fiery trials are necessary...

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”
— Revelation 3:18 (KJV)
Really good point ... It used to be the opposite for me though. I think usually I turned to fantasy like that Law of Attraction mess out of desperation. Really stupid, I know, but ... That's something I did so...

Gods testing is not what you think. This is an old English word which means to purify and strengthen.

When a goldsmith "tests" gold, they heat it till melting, all the dross comes to teh surface, they skim it off and let it cool and the result is a more pure bar of God. That is how God "tests" us.

OH ... Actually this make sense, too. That might make more sense ...


I feel like I'm having some sort of testing today. I feel like I am failing maybe, but I'm really doing okay. Keep me in prayer. Could be my blood pressure/headaches messing with me. But feels like this Ted Dekker book. Absolute crazy.

I will keep you in prayer @Mayflower and if you need anything don't be afraid to reach out and let me know! I never read Ted Dekker but now I just looked it up and now I'm interested. LOL This looks like something I'd like. OoooOOoooo....

Interesting.....Mayflower, I was just commenting on feeling odd today (and yesterday)....irritable, unsetled...
And no identifiable reason to be. I dunno....is something "stirred up" spiritually? I'm wondering....

Me too! I have been wondering the same thing and wondering if others are feeling that way. OOO Let's add a poll and see what happens with the things!
 

Pearl

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Interesting.....Mayflower, I was just commenting on feeling odd today (and yesterday)....irritable, unsetled...
And no identifiable reason to be. I dunno....is something "stirred up" spiritually? I'm wondering....
I had a day a couple of weeks ago when I just felt sad for no apparent reason. After I'd done all my tasks I sat down and played 'You Raise Me Up' on my Kindle and I just started to weep as the words washed over me and I thought of Jesus coming to 'sit a while' with me.
 

Jostler

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The more I try to think through what I'm feeling, the more it feels like something external...a "pressure "....an expectation (no idea what to be expecting....but feeling expectation)
 
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Jostler

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Me too! I have been wondering the same thing and wondering if others are feeling that way. OOO Let's add a poll and see what happens with the things!

I Didn't say so as clearly as you did...but I'm curious.if it's more than just me having an irritable, impatient day. :)
 
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DuckieLady

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I had a day a couple of weeks ago when I just felt sad for no apparent reason. After I'd done all my tasks I sat down and played 'You Raise Me Up' on my Kindle and I just started to weep as the words washed over me and I thought of Jesus coming to 'sit a while' with me.


Your comment reminds me of a great book called "Fresh-Brewed Life: A Stirring Invitation to Wake Up Your Soul." @Mayflower would probably like it, too.

It's a book about waking up in the morning, grabbing a cup of coffee, and sitting down with a journal and writing out your very open and unfiltered prayer letters to God. It's supposed to be like you're waking up and having coffee with Jesus and making it a daily practice for a deeper relationship.

I read about it in Confessions of a Prayer Slacker by Diane Moody (one of my favorite authors) and instantly went after it. I think I'd like to get back into that. Although to be honest, I prefer Confessions of a Prayer Slacker, because Diane is a little bit more fun and quirky crazy and I have a low attention span.
 
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Pearl

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Your comment reminds me of a great book called "Fresh-Brewed Life: A Stirring Invitation to Wake Up Your Soul." @Mayflower would probably like it, too.

It's a book about waking up in the morning, grabbing a cup of coffee, and sitting down with a journal and writing out your very open and unfiltered prayer letters to God. It's supposed to be like you're waking up and having coffee with Jesus and making it a daily practice for a deeper relationship.

I read about it in Confessions of a Prayer Slacker by Diane Moody (one of my favorite authors) and instantly went after it. I think I'd like to get back into that. Although to be honest, I prefer Confessions of a Prayer Slacker, because Diane is a little bit more fun and quirky crazy and I have a low attention span.
I used to do something like that ages ago - like writing to God, but now before I do anything I have my coffee and read my bible and pray. I might start doing the writing again though as it seems easier to let my thoughts and thanks flow through my pen. I believe that Rita also does that.
 
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DuckieLady

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I used to do something like that ages ago - like writing to God, but now before I do anything I have my coffee and read my bible and pray. I might start doing the writing again though as it seems easier to let my thoughts and thanks flow through my pen. I believe that Rita also does that.
I think I will start again, too! I have a Rocketbook (erasable notebook) for that purpose. Once I'm done, I can wipe it clean and I don't have to worry about anyone reading it. Otherwise, I feel restricted and hold back quite a lot, because I know I don't have any privacy.
 
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liafailrock

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"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I don't understand. Why are we tested? Wouldn't God already know the end result? Why do we have to get so stressed out?

There are several reasons for testing, both positive and negative, but I'll concentrate on the positive today. I think you'll find to the same effect in the scriptures what I am about to say. In short, it's not for God's purpose, per se, other than to make you better. It's edification. The bible also talks about us being his "workmanship". For what? People ask this question not because they don't understand improvement and life in the Spirit, but rather they don't understand the vast role we will be performing as sons of God in eternity. We will be transferring our character and knowledge over there when we get a resurrected body. It's who we are an God will bring the same person back to life, albeit sinless. That's not to say we don't continue learning, but if we are not who God wants us to be "over here" we won't be "over there" either. You need to read your bible cover-to-cover and study it. When you are done, do it again. Because you will be tested over there one day, perhaps not in the same manner we think of knowing facts and can recall dates, etc like the history test, but how we applied what God gave to us with and through His Holy Spirit. Did we "get it"? or not? Because one day we will rule and reign with Christ so if we did not get it, we won't be there, or maybe at best, as I always joke I may end up ruling over the janitor's closet in the coming kingdom, but whether few (one city) or many (cities), He will give us a part to make this earth what it was supposed to be before the fall. For the rest that did not make the first resurrection, He may save them eventually, but not for this glorious task.

ANd that brings up this thought. If you are tested, as the bible says, then be happy. God is dealing with you as a child and not as a bastard. If one went through life today where everything was smooth and all we did was whistle a tune, then there is something terribly amiss, although they may not see it.

Back to the bible. I know with the feelings it's easier said than done, but you have to keep pounding away at bible study to get mind off of yourself, which is the devil's way of having us "skip class". I had some of those feelings, general anxiety disorder and whatnot as a kid and young man, but IT DOES get better but with study. Prayer is important too, but when you think of it, it's God talking through you ("mind of Christ"). But bible study is the written Word taking with us by which the Spirit comes. The problem with "prayer" is more times than not it's our flesh trying to persuade the Lord to do something that the flesh desires.
 
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