Dear Family and Friends,

Our youngest grandson is growing up right before our eyes. The normally well-behaved little one recently threw his first tantrum.

For a reason only he would know, he threw himself on the floor and started sobbing. Briefly stopping only to see if anyone would pick him up.

I don’t want to say this (because he may read this one day) but he was hilarious.

He was testing us, preparing for his soon to come Terrible Two’s.

We test him too. Colors, parts of the body, animal sounds, etc. And he’ll be tested even more once he starts school.

If we stop to think about it – testing doesn’t stop at graduation. We are constantly testing or being tested.

We try on shoes then walk around. Taste test the new food items at Costco. How about that first free session at the gym.

And lest we forget, we know that people evaluate us all the time. We know this because we do the same…

Despite all this testing going on in our daily lives, have you noticed that we rarely stop to test the spiritual aspects of our lives?

I suspect most of us just mosey along assuming that part of our lives is just fine.

There is a Greek word – dokimazo – that was used quite extensively in the New Testament. It means to put to the test, prove, examine, distinguish by testing or approve after testing.

Here is a sampling of the tests we are called to do as we follow Christ.

Test Ourselves

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”  Galatians 6:4 NIV

Paul tells us to examine ourselves and our actions against God’s word, not others.

It’s only when we measure ourselves against the objective and impartial word of God that we are able to see ourselves as we truly are.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”  2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV

If our faith is genuine, we would know that Jesus lives in us.

We would sense the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) growing steadily within.

Let’s make this self-test a normal routine. Done in all honesty. No cheating. And no rationalizing away the results.

And I say this with all sincerity – if you feel that you’ve failed the exam, ask for help.

Test Others

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  1 John 4:1 NIV

The Apostles warned against false teachers and prophets. We live in a similar era today. Many Christians are being led astray.

The best way to ‘test’ is by knowing and understanding God’s word. Then if it doesn’t sound familiar or sounds too good to be true… perhaps it’s not to be believed. 

Be Tested by God

“On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.”  1 Thessalonians 2:4 NIV

It’s important to understand why God tests our hearts. He does not test to have us fail. He tests so we may succeed.

He tests so we may see our shortcomings. To reveal areas requiring our attention. To guide us back to the righteous path.

He tests because He loves us.

You may be asking by now – why spend all this time to a subject like tests.

Paul said it better than I ever could.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”  ‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let me end by being totally transparent – I failed my test. I broke down and picked up my grandson.

In love always,