to go through testing not only to make us grow and to enable us to
The Testing of Faith
That the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire. (1 Peter 1.7a)
We will now turn to the testing of faith. The Scriptures show us that there is not a time when faith will not be tested. All faith must be proven. The reasons for the testing of faith are as follows:
1. That We May Grow. God tests our faith in order that we may grow. No Christian can advance without his faith being tested. Christians all over the world have their faith challenged. I have no reservation in making such a statement, because the only way for faith to grow is to have it proven. In leading us into growth, God uses the only method available: He allows our faith to go through testing. We come to God and accept His grace through faith. And hence, when our faith is tested, we just naturally grow.
2. That God's Heart May be Satisfied. God puts our faith to the test not only to cause us to grow but also to satisfy His own heart. No one in the world is exempt from having his faith tried after he has believed in the Lord and received God's grace. The reason for such testing is to prove that your faith is real. The realness of your faith in turn satisfies God's heart. Such tested faith glorifies His name. Through whatever tribulation or persecution or opposition or darkness you are being tested, if you believe without faltering, then that faith of yours gives glory to God's name.
3. That the Mouth of Satan May Be Stopped. God causes our faith to go through testing not only to make us grow and to enable us to satisfy His heart, but also to stop Satan's mouth. God's enemy is deadly opposed to our saying that we have believed. He tries to hinder us from claiming that we have received in faith. He always