The Testing of Faith

I. How are we tested?

A. We are tested by temptations to do what is wrong.

B. We are tested by temptations to not do what is right.

C. We are tested by trials that would tempt us to give up.

D. We are tested by persecution that would tempt us to be quiet or to give up our faith to save our lives.

II. What good is the testing of our faith?

A. To develop endurance, James 1:2-4.

B. We are able to endure future trials by passing today’s trials.

C. An endurance runner prepares for a long time before a race.

D. He passes many smaller trials, with increasing difficulty, before entering the race. By enduring today’s trials, we have strength to endure the trials of tomorrow. I recently saw a segment on a T.V. show about a young college football player who had a terrible break to his leg during a game. It looked like a career ending injury and the doctors told him as much. He began a rigorous physical therapy regimen to learn how to walk. He was so dedicated, he was able to play again before his graduation and hoped for a professional football career. In the interview he said, “When I was laying in the hospital bed, I knew that I would find out what kind of person I am.” He was able to overcome adversity. I wonder how many were in that same hospital, in similar situations, who gave up or were content to not try their hardest. This young man’s physical body was tested and he found strength to overcome and was able to play football again because he endured the daily pain and trials of learning to walk.

E. To identify our weaknesses

F. Peter thought his faith and dedication was strong, Luke 22:31 (“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.”).But he was tested and his weakness was found, Matt. 26:69-75. Discovering his weakness helped him defend it, 2 Peter 3:17-18.

G. To identify our strengths

H. Abraham Gen 22:1-20.

I. Abraham really knew the strength of his faith in God by his willingness to sacrifice his son. He was confident that God could bring him back from the dead though he had never seen it done, Hebrews 11:17-19. We learn how strong we are by testing (i.e., stress testing)

J. To give us confidence.

K. Why was young David, a shepherd, not a warrior, so confident in God’s ability to deliver Goliath into his hand? He endured other trials that proved it, 1 Samuel 17:34-36.

L. We can gain confidence by overcoming tests and trials.

M. Someone who is fearful of approaching others about the gospel when they finally do so gain confidence to approach someone else. When you take your stand for God once, it is easier to take a stand for Him again.

N. Because Satan wants to destroy us, 1 Peter 5:8-11.

O. He is prowling like a lion, seeking to devour us. We can resist him and overcome by faith.

P. Satan tried Jesus but Jesus overcame, Matt. 4:1-11.

Q. Jesus overcame because of His faith in His Father. Jesus overcame with the word of God, “It is written…” We can be tested because we put ourselves in positions where Satan can tempt us easily (drinking-wrong friends, bar, etc.) He enraptures some with the world so they will fail (rich young ruler).

R. Because God wants to save us.

S. Hebrews 12:6-11 – We are His children whom He chastens in love.

T. 1 Peter 1:6-9

U. Our faith is more precious than gold but it must be purified.

V. Our faith is shown to be genuine by trials.

W. Some will follow only for what they can gain, or to please others.

X. Daniel 11:33-35 – Maccabean revolt

Y. Some would join for glory and the initial success. God would allow even some of the faithful to fall to test the commitment of the rest. Some would give up when those of prominence fell. True faith will endure though we lose everything and all forsake us. True faith will endure though people who we respect die or become unfaithful. If we endure the testing on this earth, we are purified for living eternally with God.

III. Jesus’ example

A. We studied earlier how He overcame Satan by putting confidence in the Father and answering Satan with the word of God.

B. Hebrews 1:1-5

C. Consider Jesus, what He endured for our salvation. His example should motivate us to run with endurance for the crown.

IV. How to prepare for testing

A. Study – Jesus was able to overcome Satan because He knew the word of God.

B. Beware! Satan also knew the word of God and could misquote it.

C. Here in the temptation. Garden of Eden: “You shall not surely die.” False teachers will also use the scriptures but teach false things. Scriptures provide examples of those who have endured to motivate us to be faithful.

D. Dedication – Let nothing hinder us from overcoming when tested.

E. Hebrews 12:1 – Lay aside every weight and snare to run. We cannot run our best when we allow sin to weigh us down. Sin provides occasion for failure and other sins. We should give no place to the Devil in our lives.

F. Prayer – That we may not undergo unnecessary tests and will overcome when tempted.

G. Jesus prayed for 40 days and nights before being tempted by the Devil. Jesus taught us to pray not to enter into temptation, Matt. 6:13. God can deliver us from temptations, 2 Peter 2:9. God can bear us up in trials and persecutions, Romans 8:31-32; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:11-13.

H. Confidence – We can overcome with God’s help.

I. Let us not be beaten down by trials but look at the end results: endurance, joy (James), genuine faith, perfection, weaknesses exposed so they may be defended, strengths identified so we may build on them. God is with us: Consider Paul’s example in 2 Timothy 4:16-18.“If God is for us who can be against us?” (Romans 8) When we overcome, we gain confidence to overcome again. When we give in, it is easier to succumb or give up later.

J. Fellow brethren

K. Galatians 6:2-5 – We must bear our own load but our brethren can help us. As read before, our brethren in the world experience the temptations of Satan; we resist him together and separately.

L. Awareness of our tests

M. All tests are not so dramatic and obvious as Satan’s temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4. Many tests are small, seemingly inconsequential. Our response to the small tests will prepare us for the big tests. We must realize the consequences of our actions—consequences that may be far reaching, so we will act wisely in the small things.

V. Conclusion:

VI. You face a test right now. Will you be faithful to God’s commands or not? He commands every man to repent and obey Him. He commands His children to be faithful to Him. In judgment, He will determine if we have passed or failed. He gives us guidance through His word, strength through His power, and salvation through His Son. It is up to us to obey and serve Him. If we endure, we will have a heavenly reward.