As gold is refined through fire, we will also be tested through fire at various points in our Christian faith.
The purpose of these tests is not to fall by the wayside or sin but for us to become the believers God has called us to be.
We must pass these tests, but for you to do so, you have to recognize the signs God is testing you. God’s tests are not the same as the Devil’s temptations; the bible says in the Book of James that God will not tempt us to sin.
Instead, he will test us to see where our hearts truly are. God’s tests are not harmful; in fact, they are for our own good, and we should view them as blessings because, at the end of these tests, you will receive a crown of glory.
Therefore, knowing the signs God is testing you is critical because this is the only way to overcome these tests.
James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
What Does God Test Us On?
What does God test us on? There are at least six major areas where God will put us to the test.
God will sometimes put our faith or patience to the test to enhance our character and trust in him.
He does this so that we can progress spiritually and become mature. When you pass the tests listed below; you are on your way to becoming a spiritual giant. When you recognize the signs God is testing you, you will be able to conquer any of these six tests
1. Test Of Obedience
The first thing God can put to the test is our obedience. This is when God tests us to see how well we can follow his word and keep his commandments.
1 Samuel 15: 23 tells us that the sin of disobedience and rebellion is similar to sorcery. God expects us to obey his word.
2. Test Of Faith/Trust
The second area in which God might put us to the test is our faith; he wants to know how much we trust and believe in him.
3. Test Of Patience
Another area where God can put us to the test is our patience and endurance.
When we confront difficult situations, God puts us to the test in terms of our ability to wait on his word.
4. Test Of The Word
God can test us on his word. He wants to know how much of the scriptures you have stored in your heart.
When you have the word of God in your heart, it will be challenging to sin against God.
So psalms 119:11 NIV says: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
5. Test Of Sacrifice
God certainly puts us to the test regarding our willingness to sacrifice. It could be people, assets, or money. He wants to know if we can make him a priority.
6. Test Of The Heart
God can test the content of our hearts to know our thoughts Psalms 139:23 NIV says. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Who Was Tested By God In The Bible?
If you’ve ever wondered who was tested by God in the Bible, then you should read the story of Abraham. Abraham was a powerful father of faith who successfully passed the test of sacrifice.
Job, Daniel, Joseph, and the Israelites are some examples of people who were also tested by God.
As we study the nine signs that God is testing us, we will also consider examples of people who have been tested by God.
God promised Abraham that he would make him into a great nation when he was 75 years old, but God did not give Abraham the promised child Isaac until he was 100 years old.
Abraham had to rely solely on God’s promises for twenty-five years without seeing any fulfillment; it was a test of patience.
Knowing and acknowledging the signs God is testing you is the first step towards overcoming these tests.
When you realize you are tested by God, you will learn how best to reject the lies of the Devil and focus on God and prayer.
Nine Obvious Signs God Is Testing You
I have highlighted nine apparent signs to watch out for when you think God is testing you in this post.
1. Sign One: You Are Led To Obey God’s Word
One of the first signs that God is putting you to the test is when you are led to obey God’s will.
Choosing to heed God’s direction and leadership demonstrates your faith in him and belief in his sovereign authority.
The manna test God gave to the Israelites is an excellent example of the trial or test of obedience.
Exodus 16:4 says,” Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way, I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions
God put the Israelites through the manna test to see if they could trust and obey him. God gave the Israelites a clear and straightforward order: they were to pick only what they needed for a day’s food and nothing more.
Instead of accepting God’s direction, they chose to follow their human wisdom and take far more than was necessary so they could eat it the next day.
They did this because they questioned God’s capacity to provide them with manna the next day. It was foolish because the manna had spoiled by the next day.
God knows what is best for you; when offered the choice between obeying God’s will and disregarding his instructions, choose obedience. Keep the Lord’s commands if you love him.
2. Sign Two: You Need Complete Trust In God
God is putting you to the test when you are presented with a situation that requires you to have complete and entire trust in him.
David is an example of someone who passed the trust test. When he faced the giant Goliath, he had full faith in God to deliver him from the hands of the Philistines.
If David had fled from this position, he would have failed the test and would not have succeeded Saul as King of Israel. But, on the other hand, Saul had failed the test of obedience, and as a result, God had rejected him.
3. Sign Three: You Are Led To Sacrifice
Another clue that God is testing you is that you are led to sacrifice. It might be your belongings or anything else. God wants to know that you love and adore him.
The story of Abraham and Isaac is an example of the test of sacrifice. According to the Bible, Abraham loved Isaac.
Genesis 22:2 NIV says Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love Isaac and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Abraham had waited a long time for his wife Sarah to bear a child, and God had finally opened her womb and given her a son. Now God was telling Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the promised child.
Abraham did not argue with God or ask him why he chose him despite his affection for Isaac. Abraham even got up early the next day to sacrifice his son.
I’m not sure if Abraham told his wife about this, but he ignored the repercussions and followed God’s command. He had faith in God that even though he was sacrificing his son, God’s promises to him would be fulfilled.
God is a jealous God, and he does not want you to create anything to take his place in your life.
So when you’re faced with a scenario where you have to give up something you care about, remember that God is putting you through a test, and when you pass, he has something far bigger in store for you.
4. Sign Four: Your Christian Faith Is Tried
Another sign God is testing you is when your faith is tried. You are going through a test of faith when faced with a situation that tempts you to abandon your belief in Christ.
The Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is an example of faith being put to the test.
They were told to bow down before a golden statue but refused, and even when they knew they would be thrown into the fire, they refused to abandon their faith in God.
Don’t compromise your faith because of anything, no matter how important it seems. Instead, adhere to your convictions because God will certainly reward you when you sacrifice something for him.
5. Sign Five: Your Relationship With God Is Better
When you face a situation that humbles you and draws you closer to God, you know you are facing a time of test.
You realize that you can’t solve your problems with your strength or human wisdom, and you rest entirely on God because he is the only one who can do it for you. Lay all your problems at his feet; he is the only one who can solve them.
6. Sign Six: You Learn Patience
Another sign that God is putting you to the test is when you go through a period of patience.
Joseph had seen in dreams that he would be great, so great that his brothers and fathers would one day bow down to him.
Now that Joseph was a prisoner in a strange land, it seemed as if those promises would never be fulfilled.
Joseph was 17 years old when his brothers sold him as an enslaved person, but he did not become Egypt’s prime minister until he was 30. Joseph’s patience was tested between the ages of 17 and 30.
7. Sign Seven: You Learn To Endure
Endurance is another sign that God tests you; he assesses your ability to persevere through difficult situations and emerge refined.
These difficulties are often a stepping stone to your breakthrough. For example, if Joseph had not been imprisoned, he would not have become Egypt’s Prime Minister.
The job was also tested for endurance; he lost everything, his possessions, and even his family, but he never cursed God. Furthermore, God multiplied everything he had lost when he passed this test.
8. Sign Eight: When It Seems God Is Not There
God is testing you when it appears that he is not present or has turned a deaf ear to you.
This season is a time for refining, and if you pass the test, you will emerge as pure gold, a firebrand believer.
God is always listening and is always available to you. His word even tells us that he will answer whenever we call, so keep the faith and pray without ceasing during these trials, and you will soon receive what he has promised.
Matthew 13:20-21 NIV The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no roots, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
9. Sign Nine: When Your Integrity Is Tried
When your integrity and commitment to God are put to the test, you know that is one of the signs God is testing you.
God searches the heart to learn about our complex thoughts and who we indeed are.
He wants to know if we are committed to him both when things are going well and tough. If you love God, you will continue to follow his commandments and his word even when trials and tribulations arise.
Conclusion
God will never test us beyond what we can bear. For example, in Job’s story, God told the Devil to make sure he never touches Jobs’s life while he went through these tests.
God is aware of all difficulties we might face, but he promises to always be there as you encounter them all
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What an awesome article! I loved it! Thank you.