To determine what you have learned, testing or proof is required. In fact, the goal is to show your level of faith to yourself, not to God. Also, the more we know about our Supreme Father the smaller our faith has to be. Likewise, our great God requires small-mustard seed faith. So, do not worry, you can pass!

Testing: Your Faith Is Being Tested; You Can Pass!

STM Bible Lesson – Testing your faith

Lesson focus: James 1:2-4. Bible lesson background James 1:2-8: Bible Background Commentary – The specific trials he addresses in this letter are the poverty and oppression experienced by the poor (James 1:9-11, 5:1-6, and compare James 2:5-6).

James 1:2-4 [read James 1:2-8 (2-4)]

My brothers and sisters [fellow believers], when you have many kinds of troubles [trials; testing], you should be full of joy [consider it all/pure joy], 3 because you know that these troubles test your faith**, and this will give you patience [perserverance; endurance]. 4 [And] Let your patience [perserverance; endurance] show itself perfectly in what you do [have its full effect; finish its work]. Then you will be perfect and complete [mature and whole; or completely mature] and will have everything you need [lack nothing]. (EXB)

KJV: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

NOTE: verse 3 **test your faith, the KJV uses “trying of your faith.” The word, ‘trying’, comes from the Greek word δοκίμιον dokimion (dok-im’-ee-on) n. 1. a testing; 1) the proving; 2) that by which something is tried or proved, a test.

Your faith is being proved!

Is your faith being tested by something or someone? I ask because there are moments when it seems like there is no hope left and we want to give up. However, keep in mind that “the proving or trial of your faith” is necessary.

James says that the testing of your faith is a cause for celebration. Especially when you see the benefit of your diligence, patience, and endurance (James 1:2-3). So be glad when your faith is tested, it will teach you patience for hardship.

The New Life Version says “these tests prove your faith and help you not to give up.” Keep in mind, that there is a greater reward waiting for you, Jesus says in Matthew 24:13:

Matthew 24:13 [read Matthew 24:3-14 (13); compare Mark 3:3-13 (13) and Luke 21:7-19 (19)]

But the one who remains strong in the faith will be saved. (NIRV)

KJV: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

So we should be inspired by this. His message was not only to the disciples who walked with him, but to all of his followers.

Sorrows and trials come…

1 Peter 1:6-9 [read 1 Peter 1:3-12 (6-9)]

I know the thought of that is exciting, even if you must suffer through different kinds of troubles for a short time now. 7 These troubles test your faith and prove that it is pure. And such faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. When your faith is proven to be pure, the result will be praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes.
8 You have not seen Christ, but still, you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained. 9 Your faith has a goal, and you are reaching that goal—your salvation. (ERV)

KJV

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Do not give in to temptation(s) to sin

James 1:13 [read James 1:12-18 (13)]

No one who is tested should say, “God is tempting me!” This is because God is not tempted by any form of evil, nor does he tempt anyone [to sin]. (CEB)

KJV: Let no man say when he is tempted^G3985, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth^G3985 he any man:

Peirasmos – temptation

G3985 πειράζω peirazo (pei-ra’-zō) v. to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin; hence, according to the context equivalent to, to solicit to sin, to tempt.

You Can Pass the test!

Just know that the Lord will keep you safe during the testing. And if you don’t give up, you can pass the test!

2 Peter 2:9 [read 2 Peter 2:4-11 (9)]

The Lord knows how to save (rescue) good people out of the trouble that tests them. And he knows how to keep bad people until the day when he will judge them. And they are being punished even now.

KJV: The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations^G3985, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

G3986 πειρασμός peirasmos (pei-raz-mos’) n. adversity, affliction, trouble (cf. our trial), sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s faith, holiness, character.

Peirazo – tempted and tempteth

NOTE: While Peter spoke of God’s judgment, he also pointed out his rescue of Noah and Lot, whom he kept safe (2 Peter 2:4-11). He will do the same for you.

By Faith They Overcame

So many have endured testing of all sorts by faith and so can you!

Hebrews 11:36-40 [read Hebrews 11:30-40 (36-40)]

Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail. 37 Still others were stoned to death or sawed in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, mistreated, and tortured. 38 The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts, and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground.
39 All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still, they died without being given what had been promised. 40 This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us. (CEV)

KJV

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Be patient and go through

No matter how long the testing of your faith lasts, be patient, go through it, and remember, you can pass the faith tests.

Psalms 66:10 and 19-20 [read Psalms 66:8-12 and 16-20 (10 and 19-20)]

You have put us to the test, God; as silver is purified by fire, so you have tested us.
19 But God has indeed heard me; he has listened to my prayer. 20 I praise God, because he did not reject my prayer or keep back his constant love from me. (GNT)

KJV: For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

James gives us three keys (from James 1:2-4) to encourage us:

1. Be full of joy, i.e., think of the various tests you encounter as reasons to be happy. Because they help you grow and mature spiritually (from James 1:2).
2. You’ll learn to be patient. In fact, many translations say testing produces endurance. It’s like saying you can make it or you will pass/last. Don’t give up (from James 1:3)!
3. The result of your patience is, you become stronger, fully equipped, and mature (from James 1:4).

Sharing Christ’s sufferings

1 Peter 4:12-13 [read 1 Peter 4:12-19 (12-13)]

“My friends, don’t be surprised at the painful things that you are now suffering, which are testing your faith. Don’t think that something strange is happening to you. 13 But you should be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings. You will be happy and full of joy when Christ shows his glory.” (ERV)

KJV: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Hold on, patiently go through while the Lord is testing your faith. Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible lesson. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:

Better Life Through Christ Becomes Eternal Life With Christ – an estimated 5-minute read.

Faith Tests Teach You; Endure the Storms of Life – an estimated 9-minute read.

By Faith Watch Your Faith Work in Jesus Name – an estimated 4-minute read.

Joyful; Endure Your Life Tests; Be Full Of Joy! – an estimated 19-minute read.

Joy from the Spirit; Now Make Heaven Your Hope – an estimated 24-minute read.

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing [email protected]. Have a fantabulous day!