DOCTRINE OF TESTING

June 15, 1980

  1. Testing by God and man is both good and necessary periodically, Lk.14:19.
    1. Of man by God, Gen.22:1 "God tested Abraham"; cp. 22:12 "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son (Abraham's Phase 2 blessing), your only son, from Me"; Ex.15:25 "and there He tested them (bitter waters of Marah)."
    2. Of man by man (academics, athletics); Gen.38:8,9 (Joseph tested her conscience; she sought to arouse his old sin nature; he sought to arouse her norms and standards neither was successful); 2Cor.8:8,22; 1Kgs.10:1, the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon.
    3. Of God by man, Heb.3:9 (not good).
  2. The reasons for testing in Phase 2.
    1. To reveal the believer's status spiritually, Job.23:10 "He has tested me, I shall come forth like gold"; Deut.8:2 "to test you to know what (is) in your heart"; 13:3; Ex.16:4; Judg.2:22; 3:1,4; Ps.95:9.
    2. To teach the believer to learn to rely on God's grace.
    3. To accelerate spiritual growth, Jam.1:2-4.
    4. Surpassing grace blessings in Phase 3 (SG3).
  3. Testing must be distinguished from temptation, Jam.1:13.
    1. God tests but does not tempt, Gen.22:1.
    2. Temptation is a solicitation to sin or evil.
    3. Temptation comes from one of three sources.
      1. The flesh the old sin nature.
      2. The world.
      3. The devil.
  4. Testing can be classified as:
    1. Too much.
    2. The wrong kind.
    3. None (3 water tests: Red Sea, Marah, Meribah).
  5. There is no test or temptation too great for God's grace, 2Cor.12:9.
    1. Therefore you will not face a test uncommon to man.
    2. God will not allow you to be tested beyond your ability to handle it.
    3. God will provide both the deliverance and the doctrine to handle the test, 1Cor.10:13.
  6. Surpassing grace blessings in Phase 2 (SG2) will be tested.
    1. Abraham, Gen.22.
    2. David (exile by Absalom).
    3. Paul (message rejected).
  7. Testing and divine good, Heb.10:32-36.
    1. Abraham, Gen.22:1-14.
    2. His production, Jam.2:21.
    3. His SG3, Gen.22:15-18 (innumerable descendants racial, spiritual, Christ).
    4. Further proof, Heb.6:12-15.
  8. Breakdowns of the grace apparatus for perception (GAP) is the reason tests are not passed.
    1. Stage 1 (hearing Bible Doctrine).
    2. Stage 2 (believing it).
    3. Stage 3 (applying it).
  9. God is also said to be tested.
    1. Absolute sovereignty cannot be tested, therefore this is an anthropopathism, Ps.78:41.
    2. Neither can God be tempted, since he is absolute righteousness, Jam.1:13,14.
    3. The reversionist seeks both to test and to tempt God (solicitation to do good versus solicitation to do evil).
    4. An illustration of an attempt to tempt God is found in Mt.4:5-7.
    5. An illustration of an attempt to solicit God to do good is found in the history of the Exodus generation.
    6. They consistently tested God to provide living grace (solicitation to do good), Heb.3:9 "When your fathers tried Me by testing Me and saw My works for 40 years."
    7. God consistently acquiesced.
    8. But instead of trusting God, they tested God, Ps.78:18,19 "And in their heart they tested God by demanding food according to their desire. And they spoke against God and they said, 'Can God prepare a table in the desert?"
    9. Testing of God is related to negative volition, Ps.78:56 "Yet they tested and revolted against the Most High God and did not keep His testimonies."
    10. Testing of God is the method of operation of the reversionist, Heb.3:9.
    11. He is also highly critical of God (scapegoat), Ex.16:7-12; 17:2,7; Ps.106:25 "But complained in their tents and they did not listen to the voice of the Lord."
    12. The reversionistic believer has said in his heart, "the Lord has forsaken us." Ex.17:7 "And there He (Moses) named the place Massah and Meribah because of the criticism of the sons of Israel and because they tested the Lord saying, 'Is the Lord among us or not?'" cp. Heb.13:5,6 "Let your manner of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said (quote Deut.31:6) 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say (Ps.118:6f), 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?'"
  10. Generations are said to be tested, Ex.17:14-16. Occupation with Christ leads to killing the "enemy" in each generation.

© Copyright 1999, Maranatha Church, Inc.