This is Only A Test

“This is Only a Test”

Sister Sharon

Today Sister Sharon gives us a powerful message titled “This is Only a Test,” about how and why God tests us for his purposes.

One reason for a test: HEART CONDITION AND HUMILITY

            What is your heart condition? Are you going to remain humble?

Deuteronomy 8:2 “2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” This is talking about the children Israel of when they were supposed to go into the promise land. Earlier, Moses delivered Israel from Egypt but the children of Israel after delivered by God from slavery continuously complained and grumbling. Their complaining got so bad to the point where God killed out an entire generation of Israel whom was complaining about their situation even though God gave them manna (food), water, and protection. Once you get the blessings will you start to take credit for the work of the Lord. Will you stay humble?

PATIENCE (ENDURANCE):

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

There is a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is about being happy about what’s happening, being glad about your external situations. Joy is about having peace in the midst of your circumstances it is believing and knowing God is always in control. As a Christian we must know we will encounter hardships, being in Christ does not guarantee safe passage from evil but even when the world is falling apart God is still there. Faith produces patience or endurance when a trial is going on it means life is beyond you, this is why people who do not know God find life is the hardest, because they do not know Him to lean on Him.

REFINEMENT (PURIFYING):

Job 23:10 “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Psalm 66:10 (NKJV), “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.” The idea is fire or testing purifies us, it takes out the impurities, for gold when it is at its purest is rarer and greater. God desires for us to be perfect and holy as He is holy. We represent the Lord God and our character must have the likeness and bearing of His Son Jesus. God is refining us, we should be translucent the best, most refined liquid gold people can see through, so God tests us to removes the sinfulness that keeps us from being transparent. So if we want to be used by God our human nature has to be removed, pulled out, and to be the right witness for God, we should surrender to the sanctification of our Lord. Be mindful of what the Lord God shines his light upon, He’ll put a light on what we need to work on ourselves. When you start to be aware of your sin it means God is gracing you to be able to handle it and overcome the sin and no longer be tempted by it.

OBEDIENCE:

Exodus 16: 4b “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.”

           

In this verse, Sister Sharon references this story because it tests the obedience of the Israelites who were delivered from the hand of Pharaoh. The Israelites as they were headed to the promise complained to Moses about not having any food. Moses spoke to God and God said you will have the manna for 6 days and on the 6^th day you will have a double amount, so on the 7^th day you will rest. The instructions though simple to understand and do, God was using this opportunity to test their obedience to Him. Above all else what makes a happy God is God who sees His children obeying Him. For the Israelites some did obey, while others took more than what they needed and it became moldy, and those who took little on the 6^th day were hungry on the 7^th. This is why it is better to pass the test the first time around, it is better to be obedient, because disobedience has unintended consequences that are not necessarily for us.

REAL OR A COUNTERFEIT:

1 Peter 1:6-7 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”

Do you really believe what you say you believe? Are you real? Do you stand for holiness or this world? It has often been said, “you are the only bible some people are going to read,” people are watching you and many decide if they are going to be Christians from how we are. This is why we have to be purified and obedient and as Christians we should be representing Christ. We have to continuously examine ourselves as to not come off as fake Christians or believers making God look bad.

TO HAVE A TESTIMONY:

Revelation 12:1

            “And a great sign [warning of an ominous and frightening future event] appeared in heaven: a [a]woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

            Your testimony is your appeal or testimony in court. Satan will come up against you to testify against you, but your testimony will bring you out of it. Admit when your wrong, say Lord your sorry and to ask God for forgiveness and to let it go. The end result is a testimony.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN I PASS THE TEST? You will know if you pass it—if you don’t have to take the test again. Satan doesn’t know everything you’re going through or dealing with. Satan will bother you a little bit longer with it—at the end God will get the glory. The true purpose of a saint is to bring glory to God and to broadcast who God is to the world. So as you’re going through your test and weathering the storm—don’t falter keep your eyes on God, and soon the shadow of your valley shall pass.

Are you going through a test? How do you know? What are some prayers or verses that help you when you are being tested? Let us know down below!