Dictionary of Bible Themes 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. James 1:2-3God tests his people 1 Peter 1:7See also Job 7:17-18; 23:10Psalms 11:5 Isaiah 1:25 Zechariah 13:9 Malachi 3:3 James 1:12 Exodus 16:4 Examples of God testing his people collectively Deuteronomy 8:2-3See also Exodus 20:20Deuteronomy 8:16 at the giving of the law Deuteronomy 13:3-4over the gathering of manna Judges 2:20-3:4by their attitude to a false prophet by leaving nations in the promised land Genesis 22:1-2Examples of God testing his people individually See also Judges 7:4-72 Chronicles 32:31 Gideon 2 Corinthians 12:7-9Hezekiah Paul John 6:5-6Jesus Christ tested the faith of people when he was on earth See also Matthew 15:22-28Mark 8:17-21 pp Mk 7:25-30 a Canaanite woman his disciples Romans 12:2Believers have a responsibility to test the quality of their lives See also Psalms 17:3Psalms 26:2; 139:23 Lamentations 3:40 David prayed to God to test him: 2 Corinthians 13:5Galatians 6:4 1 Thessalonians 5:21 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 God will make a final test of believers' lives and service Malachi 3:10People may test God as an expression of faith and obedience See also Judges 6:39Exodus 17:2 People must not test God as an expression of doubt and disobedience See also Exodus 17:7 fnNumbers 14:22-23 Deuteronomy 6:16; 33:8 Psalms 78:18,41,56; 95:8 fn Matthew 4:7 Deuteronomy 6:16 Matthew 19:3 pp Lk 4:12 Acts 5:9; 15:10Hebrews 3:8-9 pp Mk 10:2 1 John 4:1The command to test the spirits See also 4354 rock4651 goat 5475 property 5594 tribute 8028 faith, body of beliefs 8105 assurance, basis of 8126 guidance, need for God's |
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