Being Tested

Are you going through a test today?  How can we know the difference between a test and temptation?  I think temptation comes from within a person or it is from the evil one and is meant to destroy the person he is tempting.  On the other hand, I think testing comes from the Lord to show us the areas in our lives that we need to grow in.

It says this in James 1:13-15, “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  

Tests are never to destroy us; they come so that we can be strengthened in the weak areas of our spiritual lives such as our faith and other areas of weaknesses we have to overcome.  In Job’s case, the tests showed the evil one that a man could be faithful to God even under severe testing and still not curse God.  Even though Job experienced the loss of most of his family and many other things he never sinned by cursing God even though the evil one said that he would.

The Word says this in Job 1:1-12, “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.

His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”

Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

This was Job’s response after losing most everything he owned, it is found in Job 1:20-22, “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:

‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

    and naked I will depart.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

    may the name of the Lord be praised.’

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”

Even when the evil one was allowed to destroy Job’s health, Job responded this way in 2:9-10, “His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’  He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’  In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.”

After it was all said and done Job did not sin, but he did learn some things through the experience and one of the things Job learned was this, it is found in the later part of the book of Job in 42:5-6, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.  Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

We can learn a lesson from Job.  Even though God may allow us to go through some severe testing at times, God never uses these things to destroy us and if we are faithful in these tests we will, in the end, be blessed if we don’t faint and give up.  Remember the Word says this in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”    The Word also says this in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

So, if you are going through a test, or you feel like you have been being tested for a while, stay faithful and honor God and this too shall pass and if you are steadfast and faithful you will come through it a better and stronger person, praise the Lord.  And be encouraged in knowing that God is going through it with you.  Something to think about!  May God bless you and yours.  Have a super day!!