How can we allow God to test us?
Discussion question for February 19, 2010.
Moses tried to encourage the Israelites at Mt. Sinai by saying: “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” How does God test you? In what ways does His testing keep you from sinning?
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
The first step is to take on a humble attitude. This is spoken in Deuteronomy 8:2-3 and 14. The test(s) humble us and allow us to see what is in our heart. When we are proud, then we are unwilling to review the information in our heart and become subject to false beliefs. God is the one that allows, even sets up, the tests and He does so for our good.
The second point is to accept the test with full assurance that God is doing it with pure love in His motive. He does not test us to prove us wrong, or to provide an opportunity to punish us. He tests in a manner that brings us closer to Him in our relationship. Paying attention to the nature of the test will give us a great deal of insight and information about the corrupt nature in our heart that God wants to heal next.
We discussed the difference in the terms “fear” in Exodus 20:20. The first occurrence is when Moses tells the people not to fear. This fear is a negative response to a frightening situation, and describes an emotion of anxiety, helplessness, and pending harm. The second occurrence is when Moses promises that the fear of God will be with you. This fear has a lot more to do with reverence and awe, and does not have that negative connotation. The primary difference between the two uses of the word comes on the point of relationship. It is appropriate for someone that does not know God’s mercy and forgiveness to be in fear (trepidation) of Him. However, once we experience His compassion and love we will revere Him instead.
The accuser of the brethren (satan) is always trying to deceive us into believing that God is not loving and compassionate. Since Eve, where he denied God’s authority and questioned His intentions, the enemy implies that God is withholding good and punishing us for being evil. Jesus introduced us to a different Father – One that knows how to give good gifts (The Spirit) to His children.
The tests come so that we will be changed in our heart. When we realize what God is after then we can make a choice to be changed (transformed) in that area. It may require forgiveness. It may require a renewed mind. It may require a change of habits and actions. But God’s purpose in putting us through it is that we will be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ.