You’re on trial, i.e., trying to prove that your trust is in God and that it is genuine. Now, people put their trust in many things, e.g., themselves, jobs, money, etc. However, let’s focus on faithful trust in God for this Bible lesson. I want you to know how to win your trials!
You’re On Trial, Know How To Win? It’s Faith!
STM Bible Lesson: You can win, here’s how!
Lesson focus: 1 Peter 1:3-12 (7). Bible lesson background: Just as fire reveals pure gold, hard times reveal genuine faith. So, the Lord allows trials of our faith to determine whether it is sincere and worthy of His praise and honor. We must be mindful of the fact that suffering is a necessary part of the process. As a result, we gain faith in God and bring glory to His name. It teaches us that genuine faith is valuable to our Savior as much as to ourselves.
Your troubles (trials) have come in order to prove that your faith is real. Your faith is worth more than gold. That’s because gold can pass away even when fire has made it pure. Your faith is meant to bring praise, honor, and glory to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ returns. 1 Peter 1:7 (NIRV)
- The KJV uses ‘trial’ instead of ‘troubles’ in 1 Peter 1:7
- The Greek word is dokimion (do-kē’-mē-on) meaning a test, trial, or trying.
The first to go on trial
During our lives, we face many trials. Some test our knowledge or our obedience, and others test our beliefs and level of faith. The first to stand trial was Adam in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve could eat freely of every tree in the garden except one—”do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. God told Adam what he could eat, but also what he should not eat. So did Adam win his trial [read Genesis 2:15-17 and Genesis 3:1-24 (12 and 17)]?
In Exodus 16, God told Moses His intent to put the children of Israel (the Israelites) on trial.
The Lord said to Moses, “I will send bread[a] down from heaven like rain. Tell the people to go out each day and gather only enough for that day. That’s how I will see [KJV: prove**] if they obey me. 5 But on the sixth day of each week, they must gather and cook twice as much.” Exodus 16:4-5 (CEV).
** The phrase ‘that I may prove’ in the KJV, is the Hebrew nacah (nä·sä’) meaning to test, try. So, the Lord tested the Israelites to see if they would obey him.
Consider this
When you feel like you’re on trial. Please do not be like the Israelites. Think of the simplicity of their test. Did they lack self-control or understanding? Consider this translation of James 1:2-4:
Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. James 1:2-4 (VOICE)
- The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary – trial
- Generally understood as the enticement of a person to commit sin by offering some seeming advantage. The sources of temptation are Satan, the world, and the flesh. We are exposed to them in every state, in every place, and in every time. The nearest approach to a definition of the process of temptation from within is given to us by James, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust” (James 1:14).
No matter the type of test or trial that you face, hold on, you can win (make it), never give up, and do not quit!
Loving God Under Trials
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial(A) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:12-15 (NIV) [(A) reference James 1:2]
You’re on trial
If you think you are standing firm you had better be careful that you do not fall. 13 Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (GNT)
Know how to win? It’s faith!
So the Lord knows how to save (rescue) those who serve him [the godly] when troubles come [from trial/testing/temptation]. He will hold evil people [the wicked/unrighteous] and punish them, while waiting for the judgment day [or while they wait for their punishment on judgment day]. 2 Peter 2:9 (EXB)
Use your faith in the faithful God to win!
Through faith you are being protected by God’s power for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of this era. 6 You greatly rejoice in this, even though you have to suffer various kinds of trials for a little while, 1 Peter 1:5-6 (ISV)
You can win your trial, any trial, if you rely on faith in the Lord Jesus. Temptations—things that appeal to your appetites/desires—are easy to resist when you learn to use self-control and stand firm in your faith in God. Hard times and seemingly difficult situations test your ability to endure, to hold on, to trust God, to not give up—you can make it through these times. So yes, you can win your trial—any trial by having genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible lesson. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺
Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:
♥ Question for ‘You’re On Trial, Know How To Win? It’s Faith!’: Are you embracing your problems and letting your faith help you?
Scriptures to read and study:
1 Peter 1:3-12 (5-7); Genesis 3:1-24 (12 and 17); and Exodus 16:1-36 (4-5). James 1:1-18 (1-4 and 12-15); 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (12-13); and 2 Peter 2:4-11 (9).
A surprising fact about faith
- The KJV OT mentions the word “faith” twice!
- With that in mind, it appears the Children of Israel were to obey God, but they were not required to trust or believe in Him. Thus, the basis of the OT was obedience.
- First, in Deuteronomy 32:20.
- Thayer’s lexicon translates it as “no trustworthiness” as opposed to “no faith”.
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon: בָּנִים לֹא אֵמֻן בָּם children in whom there is no trusting; Deuteronomy 32:20 (poetry).
- The Latin Vulgate “unfaithful”. CJB said untrustworthy and OJB had “no faithfulness”. WYC “unfaithful”. The other early modern English, including the KJV’s phrase, is “no faith”.
- Second, is in Habakkuk 2:4.
- Strong’s lexicon 1. (literally) firmness. 2. (morally) fidelity.
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon and Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon: “faithfulness“.
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