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
James 1:2–3; 1 Peter 1:7 See also Job 7:17–18, Job 23:10; Psalm 11:5; Isaiah 1:25; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:3; James 1:12
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
so that the proven character of your faith — more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Examples of God testing his people collectively
Exodus 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:2–3 See also Exodus 20:20 at the giving of the law; Deuteronomy 8:16 over the gathering of manna; Deuteronomy 13:3–4 by their attitude to a false prophet; Judges 2:20–3:4 by leaving nations in the promised land
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.
Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.
Examples of God testing his people individually
Genesis 22:1–2 See also Judges 7:4–7 Gideon; 2 Chronicles 32:31 Hezekiah; 2 Corinthians 12:7–9 Paul
Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
Jesus Christ tested the faith of people when he was on earth
John 6:5–6 See also Matthew 15:22–28 parallel Mark 7:25–30 a Canaanite woman; Mark 8:17–21 his disciples
When Jesus looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” But He was asking this to test him, for He knew what He was about to do.
Believers have a responsibility to test the quality of their lives
Romans 12:2 See also Psalm 17:3PSA Psalm 26:2, Psalm 139:23 Lamentations 3:40; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
God will make a final test of believers' lives and service
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.
People may test God as an expression of faith and obedience
Malachi 3:10 See also Judges 6:39
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.
People must not test God as an expression of doubt and disobedience
Exodus 17:2 See also Exodus 17:7; Numbers 14:22–23; Deuteronomy 6:16, Deuteronomy 33:8; Psalm 78:18, Psalm 78:41, Psalm 78:56, Psalm 95:8; Matthew 4:7 parallel Luke 4:12; Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 19:3 parallel Mark 10:2; Acts 5:9, Acts 15:10; Hebrews 3:8–9
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”
The command to test the spirits
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.