Testing Examples and Applications with Scripture for Alignment
The concept of "testing" in a biblical context often refers to a process of examination or proving, applied to individuals, their faith, or their actions, to reveal their true nature or quality. This testing can come from God, from others, or be self-imposed, and it serves various purposes within the biblical narrative and theological understanding.
One significant aspect of testing involves God examining humanity. The Psalmist prays, "Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart" (Psalm 26:2 NASB) [2]. John Gill interprets this as a request for God to examine his integrity and trust, much like precious metals are tested by a touchstone, which he identifies as the "word of God" [6]. This suggests that divine testing is a means to prove the genuineness of faith and practice against a divine standard [6]. Similarly, the prophet Daniel speaks of God as the one "in whose hand is your breath and whose are all your ways" (Daniel 5:23), implying a constant divine oversight and evaluation of human life [4].
Testing can also be a means by which individuals assess their own spiritual state. Paul encourages believers to "prove his own work" by examining their conduct against the "words and example of Christ" (Galatians 6:4) [7]. Adam Clarke explains that this self-examination allows a person to find rejoicing in themselves if their actions align with Christ, rather than comparing themselves to others [7]. This internal scrutiny is a way to ensure alignment with Christian principles and to avoid self-deception. The book of Lamentations also touches on self-reflection in the face of suffering, asking, "Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?" (Lamentations 3:39), which cross-references passages about acknowledging one's transgressions and God's justice [1].
The New Testament also warns against "testing Christ" or "the Lord." Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:9, "Nor... put Christ to the test" [9]. This echoes Old Testament warnings against challenging God's authority or provision, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:16 and Psalm 78:18-20 [9]. Such testing implies a lack of faith or a rebellious attitude, rather than a sincere desire for examination.
Furthermore, the concept of proving or testing is linked to discerning what is acceptable to God. In Ephesians 5:10, believers are exhorted to be "proving what is acceptable unto the Lord" [8]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary suggests that this "proving" is connected to how believers "walk" (Ephesians 5:8) and involves "accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial" [8]. This process, they argue, is the function of "light," which reveals the true nature of things [8].
The biblical understanding of testing is not always about finding fault, but often about refinement and growth. For instance, 1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" [3]. This passage, while not explicitly using the word "test," implies a process of acknowledging imperfection and seeking purification, which is a form of spiritual examination leading to restoration [3]. Similarly, Mark 2:5, where Jesus forgives the paralytic's sins, highlights God's power to address the root of human brokenness, which often becomes evident through various trials [5].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Lamentations 3:39 cross-references: Genesis 4:5, Genesis 4:13, Leviticus 26:41, Leviticus 26:43, Numbers 11:11, Numbers 16:41, Numbers 17:12, Joshua 7:6, 2 Samuel 6:7, 2 Kings 3:13, 2 Kings 6:32, 2 Kings 6:33, Ezra 9:13, Job 11:6, Job 15:13, Proverbs 19:3, Isaiah 38:17, Isaiah 51:20, Jeremiah 10:19, Jeremiah 30:15, Lamentations 3:22, Jonah 2:3, Jonah 4:8, Micah 7:9, Hebrews 12:5, Revelation 16:9”
- Psalms “Psalms 26:2 (NASB) — Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 John 1:9 cross-references: Leviticus 26:40, Deuteronomy 7:9, 1 Kings 8:47, 2 Chronicles 6:37, Nehemiah 1:6, Nehemiah 9:2, Job 33:27, Psalms 19:12, Psalms 32:5, Psalms 51:2, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 45:21, Jeremiah 33:8, Lamentations 3:23, Ezekiel 36:25, Ezekiel 37:23, Daniel 9:4, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 3:6, Mark 1:5, Luke 22:57, Acts 19:18, Romans 3:26, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Ephesians 5:26, 1 Timothy 1:15, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 10:23, Hebrews 11:11, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 15:3”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Daniel 5:23 cross-references: Genesis 2:7, Genesis 14:19, Judges 16:23, 1 Samuel 5:1, 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36, 2 Kings 14:10, Job 12:10, Job 31:4, Job 34:14, Psalms 104:29, Psalms 115:4, Psalms 115:16, Psalms 135:15, Psalms 139:3, Psalms 146:4, Proverbs 20:24, Isaiah 2:12, Isaiah 33:10, Isaiah 37:19, Isaiah 37:23, Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 46:6, Jeremiah 10:23, Jeremiah 50:28, Jeremiah 50:29, Ezekiel 28:2, Ezekiel 28:5, Ezekiel 28:17, Ezekiel 31:10, Daniel 4:37, Daniel 5:2, Daniel 8:11, Daniel 11:12, Habakkuk 2:4, Habakkuk 2:18, Acts 17:25, Acts 17:28, Romans 1:21, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Timoth”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Mark 2:5 cross-references: Genesis 22:12, Job 33:17, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 90:7, Psalms 103:3, Isaiah 38:17, Isaiah 53:11, Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22, Mark 2:9, Mark 5:34, Luke 5:20, Luke 7:47, Luke 8:48, John 2:25, John 5:14, Acts 5:31, Acts 11:23, Acts 14:9, 1 Corinthians 11:30, 2 Corinthians 2:10, Ephesians 2:8, Colossians 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, James 2:18, James 5:15”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 26:2: Examine me, O Lord,.... His cause, his integrity, and trust in the Lord, as silver and gold are examined by the touchstone, the word of God, which is the standard of faith and practice; and prove me; or "tempt me" (r); as Abraham was tempted by the Lord; and his faith in him, and fear of him, and love to him, were proved to be true and genuine; try my reins and my heart; the thoughts, desires, and affections of it, as gold and silver are tried in the furnace; and so God sometimes tries the faith and patience of his people by afflictive providences; and this examin”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:10: Proving--construed with "walk" (Eph 5:8; Rom 12:1-2). As we prove a coin by the eye and the ear, and by using it, so by accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial, we may prove or test "what is acceptable unto the Lord." This is the office of "light," of which believers are "children," to manifest what each thing is, whether sightly or unsightly.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 10:9: 10:9 Nor . . . put Christ to the test: See Deut 6:16; Ps 78:18-20; Matt 4:7. • Christ: Some manuscripts read the Lord, which probably represents a scribe’s attempt to harmonize with the Old Testament context.”