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Seven Examples of Testing in the Bible

Tom Shepherd


One of the metaphors that the Bible says about life is that it is a test. God continually tests people’s character, faith obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty (Job 23:8-10). Character is both developed and revealed by testing.


And the truth of the matter is — all of life is a test. You are always being tested. God is constantly watching how you respond to people, problems, success, conflict, illness, and disappointment.


There are several ways God’s people have been tested:


A Test of Patience


Trials and tribulation can be a test of patience. We go through severe trials and tribulations and they seem to last forever. These seasons are tests of our patience. Can we wait on the Lord (James 1:2). Job’s life was a test of patience. In fact the Bible says in book of James, “Remember the patience of Job” (5:11).


A Test of Faith


Trials can be a test of our faith. Do we believe in God even in the midst of pain and suffering? Do we believe in the promises of God even when everything looks impossible? Do we trust in God even if He does not deliver us? Do we trust in God even when we do not understand His ways and working in our lives? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were tested and showed their faith (Daniel 3:16-18). “It’s not that we can’t do it; it’s that we won’t do it.” How do you know if you’re faithful unless you are tempted with unfaithfulness?


A Test of Love


Trials can test our love. They can reveal whom or what we love most in our lives. They reveal our priorities and desires. The Lord wants us to love Him more than anybody else or anything else. The depth of our love to God is revealed during the seasons of trials. Peter is an example of this test in John 21:15-17.


A Test of Endurance


Trials can be a test of our endurance. How much are we willing to endure for the Lord? Will we give up easily from following the Lord? Will we endure till the end? The life of Paul is an example of endurance (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).


A Test of Humility


Trials can be a test of humility. The Lord humbles us by allowing us to go through seasons of trials. The Lord wants us to have the mind of Christ who humbled Himself to take the form of a servant and became obedient even to the death of the cross. Mosses went through times of trial and his humility was on great display (Numbers 12:1-3). Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.


A Test of Sacrifice


Trials can be a test of our sacrifice. Are we willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord? Are we clinging to the possessions and treasures of this world? Are we crucified to the world? When we lay ourselves on the altar and die to ourselves then we can bear a lot of fruit for the Lord. The Lord leads us to total surrender by leading us through the path of trials. He tests the level of our willingness to sacrifice for Him. He tested Abraham in this way (Genesis 22:7-8). Then the two of them walked on together.


A Test of Obedience


Trials can be a test of our obedience to God. Are we willing to obey God even when He commands us to do what we do not like or what we wish to avoid? The Lord teaches us obedience by leading us through trails. Jesus is the prime example of obedience (Matthew 26:39; Philippians 2:8).

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