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What is testing?
Even reviewing the definition in Miriam Webster seemed to verify this. IE: the procedure of submitting a statement to such conditions or operations as will lead to its proof or disproof or to its acceptance or rejection. an ordeal or oath required as proof of conformity with a set of beliefs.
However I asked myself what exactly does a test do? If a teacher grades our papers, they know whether we know the subject or not. When they say there will be a test, we start cramming so we can pass it. We begin to increase our knowledge of the subject. Our score then shows us where we need more study.
The first definition supplied by Google though lends another great description: a procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, especially before it is taken into widespread use.
To establish the quality, etc. before it is taken into widespread use. ;-)
Testing is the only way we're made ready and established for God to greatly use us.
I thought perhaps posting this as a blog and yet I'd like to get some feedback on any other aspects of testing and if you've seen testing improve your spiritual life and in what ways.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary O on
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Hi Seek, God bless!
This is my perspective on it. Sometimes I have the same thing happen over and over. If something keeps happening to you, change what you are doing, how you react to it. If you don't know how to react, you could look up some Bible verses on the subject. Or we could say something like...Lord I don't understand please tell me more. The goal is to pass the test. What is it God wants me to learn? As soon as I figure out the answer, it stops. Maybe there's a more Biblical way to react than I've tried so far. God wants me to learn more than one thing, so I get some quizzes coming my way. I can tell when I get the lesson. It's like a line. The test/lesson stops. It's times like this that I'm very aware of God's presence. He's so big and I'm a little termite, but He cares. There's something so important to Him that He wants me to understand and get it.
For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:12 NLT)
If you are on a boat and it's going in the wrong direction, you would set about correcting the course. Don't we all get excited when God gives us some new insight?
I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure. (Psalm 119:162 NLT)
Love,
Mary
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Permalink Reply by Seek on
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People can't just change their reactions overnight though. Part of what caused me so many issues was people saying stop doing this or doing that (IE: don't react emotionally to bad news). But our reactions are often ingrained into our personality, shaped by years of wrong thinking, and it may take time for that to change. No one got there overnight and won't get out overnight. But what I had thought is that things kept happening to force me to change something I could find no way to change. But that would mean God is putting these things into my life...punishing me for getting it wrong. And yet God doesn't bring chaos in our lives but He does work them to our good. But it was because of believing I would keep going through all this until I learned whatever it was I was supposed to learn that made me feel like I'd never make it or be as good as what God was expecting me to be...it was putting Him out of reach rather than IN my reach. Kinda like Job's friends pointing out every reason as to why he was likely going through his ordeal...and all of them wrong. While the real reason was God was using it to take him to a new level of understanding.
Knowing that the testing isn't to punish someone because of things ingrained that need worked out, enables people to approach God more boldly, rather than timidly believing He's always angry with them.
But what I liked so well on that definition was how it alludes to testing being the thing that establishes us for widespread use. Some people feel like they're useless to God during testing. And this is one definition they should write down and keep.
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Yeah, I finally got something that God's been trying to show me for a while. About 3 years of coaching. How slow can I be? Then I forget and He showed it to me all over again. He's probably saying...Finally! I thought she'd never get it. I wouldn't blame Him if He did think that. I thought...Okay, obviously my approach is wrong...I'm missing something here. Personal opinion, just make sure you aren't stuck in a rut and doing the same thing over and over. We can bust out of the same old actions and take a chance.
Sometimes I think about the situation, my reaction and what are the different ways I could react. What if God never talked to us at all. What if He stopped teaching us completely?
(Jeremiah 18:1-6) The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Have you ever thought about Ephesians? That standard of excellence. When you just know who you are, God's child and you claim His promises. I wish I could live up to that standard. I'm working on it. Ephesians 6 is a lofty standard.
(Philippians 3:13,14) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (It's like this diamond.)
I would have thought the Apostle Paul had arrived.
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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The testing IMO is for us, to help us see if we are true and faithful with the goal to increase our trust in God. It's what I see throughout Christ's ministry on earth. For instance, when Jesus told Peter he would deny Him, some will say 'the look' Jesus gave Peter afterwards was one of disappointment and sadness, but I don't see it that way. I imagine Christ looking at Peter with forgiveness, not a 'See, I told you so,' but a 'This was for your benefit.'
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Even that ties into that definition. Because of the testing, Peter went on to be used greatly by God.
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Yes, and with Luke 22:32, regarding Peter's faith not failing. Peter failed but his faith didn't fail. It increased. Then Peter was able to strengthen and help others.
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Permalink Reply by Tammy on
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1 Pet 4:12-13 (NIV) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. - I believe this is for one being persecuted not the testing of everyday life.
Deut 8:2-3 (NIV) Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you... to teach you that man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. - This one seems to teach humility
Ex 20:20 (NIV) Moses said to the people, "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." - This is so you will realize the fear we should have in God to keep from sinning
Ps 66:8-12 (NIV) Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard; He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. - These trials seem to be used to purify us. Spurgeon says, “God had one son without sin, but he never had a son without trial. Why ought we to complain if we are subjected to the rule which is common to all the family, and from which so much benefit has flowed to them?”
Need to run & move furniture or would add more. Maybe later.
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Definitely, testing changes us more to the image of God and strengthens us. But the definition of testing to make something ready for use is I think a hopeful definition. When we look at being tested as being just to transform us we may feel bleak in thinking is changing worth this much trouble? Or we wonder how we can ever be useful for anything if always mired in continued stress and trials. I think this definition gives a way for one to keep hopeful in trials in knowing that it's preparing them to be used for something greater. In order to be used for something greater we have to know there's something better after the test and not just think life will mean constant trials. We have to believe there's a mountain top we will be on at some point where we will experience the fruit of the trials, rather than believing the valley is all there is.
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