Testing of your faith defines the meaning of a trial for the Christian: as Jesus was “tested” in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–13), so believers are tested. The Greek dokimion (“testing”) denotes a positive test intended to make one’s faith “genuine” (cf. 1 Pet. 1:7). The result is steadfastness, a life of faithful endurance amid troubles and afflictions.

Steadfastness leads ultimately to perfection. Believers grow in holiness but are not yet perfected in it; such perfection will be realized only when Jesus returns.

7

 Trials and testing are a part of life. Clinical trials determine the safety and effectiveness of medications. Math tests help teachers and students know what areas they need to review. Jewelers use tests to determine the purity of gold and whether a stone is a diamond or cubic zirconia.

Similarly, God uses trials and difficult times to test our faith and develop spiritual maturity. As we go through times of trial and testing, we develop patient endurance and become steadfast in our belief in God.

James 1:2-3 boldly states that believers should, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." This is quite a remarkable admonition.

Valuing times of trials and testing with joy isn't easy. We are more likely to fixate on our pain and disappointment. This scripture encourages us to shift our focus from our discomfort and suffering to the benefits of perseverance.

Trials in this passage come from the Greek word "peirasmos," which means an experiment, attempt, trial, and proving. The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon explains that times of testing can be a "the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy.”

Trials can also include "an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances."

A trial can also be a time of adversity and affliction that tests or proves one's character, faith, and holiness. James 1:3 includes the Greek word “dokimion” often translated “testing” and is related to proving genuineness and goodness.

Why Do Christians Face Trials and Temptations?

Challenging times reveal our character and what is inside our hearts. Just as being a student means taking tests, being a Christian means facing trials and temptations. Often, we think of temptations as moral challenges and trials as physical problems. However, in the Bible, both are used to prove faith and obedience.

1 Peter 1:6 encourages believers to rejoice even when for "a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials." Our perspective on a "little while" often differs from God's eternal timeline.

Just as pharmaceutical trials take years before a new medicine is approved and a jury trial takes weeks, times of spiritual trial and testing also have a beginning and an end, whether for 40 days or 40 years.

Reading the Bible provides a long-term perspective on God's timing and purpose during trying times. For instance, Jesus was tested by Satan after 40 days in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11.

• Jesus was tested by the Pharisees on multiple occasions (John 8:2-11; Matthew 22:15-22).
• Abraham was tested at Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22).
• Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:6-20).

Since trials and temptations are a part of the Christian journey, it is natural to wonder, "Where do tests and trials come from?”

Does God Tempt People?

God doesn't tempt people, but he allows people to be tempted because trials and temptations reveal what is in our hearts and draw us closer to Christ.

James 1:13-14 answers the question, "Does God tempt people?" It states, "When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

In Job 1, God gave permission for Satan to test Job’s character.   In Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Simon Peter that Satan demanded to sift him like wheat.

Satan also tempted Jesus three different times in Matthew 4:1-11. Temptations do not always lead to sin. Though Jesus was tempted in every way (Hebrews 4:15), he never sinned because in him there was no sin (1 John 3:5).

Times of trial prove our faith and test our integrity. When the Pharisees tested Jesus with a question about paying taxes, they started by commenting on Jesus's integrity.

"Teacher," they said, "we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth" (Matthew 22:16).

Not all people in the Bible passed the tests during times of temptation:

• Adam and Eve gave into temptation in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3.
• The Israelites did not pass the tests in the wilderness at Massah and Meribah in Exodus 17:7.
• Simon Peter denied Christ three times in Luke 22:54-62.

People are tempted by their own desires and inclination to sin. Just as Satan tempted Jesus with a desire for food and earthly glory after fasting for 40 days, we are often tempted in places of weakness.

Unfortunately, satisfying our pride, unrighteousness, and selfish desires can lead to foolish choices. Trials reveal places of spiritual disconnect in our lives just as a calculus test reveals gaps in our understanding of derivatives — likewise, times of testing and temptation show holes in our faith and knowledge of God's character.

As Deuteronomy 8:2 explains, "Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands” (NLT).

God allows us to go through times of trial to test our faith and prove our character. Based on his personal experience being tested, the Apostle Peter linked trials to integrity and genuineness of faith.

1 Peter 1:7 explains that the various trials believers go through test the genuineness of their faith, which is “more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Tests pinpoint how much we know and what we still need to learn. Even when we don't pass the test, there are still benefits. Times of tribulation and testing keep us from succumbing to pride and help us give grace to others in their struggles.

Going through trials and temptation expands our ability to minister to others in places of affliction and helps us become more like Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-6).

How Can We Have Joy When We Face Trials of Many Kinds?

Trials and temptations prove our faith and result in blessing. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

The crown of life mentioned in this passage is not a kingly crown but the laurels given to a victor after a battle.  The victor receiving the crown was recognized and publicly honored.

After we have come through times of trial and temptation, we will be more like Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:6 explains, “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”

Like the immense joy that comes after finishing a marathon, by sharing Christ's sufferings, you will also see his glory.

As 1 Peter 4:12-13 states, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

What Does the Bible Say about Trials and Perseverance?

Times of testing will produce steadfastness, perseverance, and endurance in us (James 1:3). We will be able to have endurance during hard times like Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2).

Steadfastness is also a character trait of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 3:5; Revelation 1:9). Perseverance will result in our being complete and mature (James 1:4).

We will be able to experience the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives, including peace, joy, and patience. Romans 5:3-4explains that tribulation will lead to patience in the lives of believers. Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and a character trait of God (2 Peter 3:9).

We are to rejoice in our suffering because it produces endurance; endurance develops character, and character leads to hope.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:4-5).

For further reading:

How Can We Test the Spirits to Know if They Are from God?

What Does it Mean Patience is a Virtue?

How Is Self-Control a Fruit of the Spirit?

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6–7)

Intense, prolonged suffering can bring believers to the point of despair; filled with protest and, like Job, wishing they had been carried directly from the womb to the tomb (Job 10:19). This is the constant reality of suffering. The Apostle Peter understood this and counseled his afflicted readers with the above encouragement. From these verses you should be encouraged by five truths. 

First, trials are temporary. They are “for a little while” in contrast to eternity with Jesus. More than that, your “light momentary affliction is preparing for [you] and eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Remember, the “sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed” to you (Romans 8:18).

Second, trials only come to us if they are “necessary.” God, in his infinite wisdom, knows exactly what kinds of trials must be designed to stimulate the growth necessary for our own spiritual health. For example, God permitted Satan to give Paul a “thorn in the flesh.” But it was for his own good, and for a specific purpose, to stunt the growth of cancerous pride (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). 

Third, trials are distressing. The word “grieved” does not refer merely to sorrow in trials, but to the mental effects of suffering. The psalmist knew and admitted this: “Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20). 

Fourth, trials are diverse; they are “various” in form. They come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they afflict our bodies and other times our minds. Sometimes they disturb our comfort zones and other times our loved ones. No matter their source, trials provide opportunities to be trained in godliness as God uses them to discipline us toward Christlikeness (Hebrews 12:6, 11).

Fifth, trials are refining to your faith, “though it is tested by fire.” God does not ordain trials to set you up for failure, but to prove the “genuineness” of your faith. Trials heat up the furnace of your faith, giving God the opportunity to purify it, and prove to you that it is “more precious than gold” (Cf. Job 23:10). As this process takes place, and you continue to believe in him whom you cannot see, the ultimate outcome of your faith is your salvation (1 Peter 1:8-9).

Trials not only prepare you for eternity. They make you ache for it. And that is a good thing.

be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6-7, NLT

A trial is a test of our faith. Surprisingly, Peter said to be glad, since we can look forward to a wonderful joy that is the fruit of enduring many temporary trials. The deeper the pain the greater the joy. He goes on: trials reveal the genuineness of our faith. Selfish motives and ambition burn away under the heat of adversity. The sincerity of what we say we believe is validated when we are called to live out our faith. When we are mistreated or suffer from injustice, we still trust the ultimate judge, the Lord Jesus Christ. We glory in God when the going gets rough.

Trials can come in various types. It may be a trial we bring on ourselves through a string of bad decisions. We reap what we sow. A trial may be the result of a person or circumstance out of our control. Sin is indiscriminate. Or, a trial may be a test of the integrity of our faith. Interestingly, three people in the Scriptures, Jonah, Joseph and Job illustrate each type of these trials:

Jonah: Trials Resulting from Our Choices 

“The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are. But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord” (Jonah 1:1-3).

Jonah disobeyed the Lord’s call to reprimand the wicked behavior in Nineveh, instead he ran away from the Lord and thought he could hide on a ship. In the moment we may feel like we are getting away with something because the consequences of disobedience are not always immediate. But for sure, like the rising of the sun burns away the darkness and shrinks back the shadows, so the light of God’s love reveals distorted loves. When we choose to turn our back on the Lord’s best we suffer from mediocrity, and at the worst, brokenness. Trials of our making are a wakeup call to change.

When things went from bad to worse, Jonah realized his change of circumstances did not cure his dilemma—it only compounded his problems. He delayed his obedience, and others were hurt in the wake of his wandering away from God. We put our faith at risk by not being faithful. We let down those closest to us and rupture our relationships. Unless we wake up to the reality of being the problem—problems will persist. Owning our wrongs helps us make things right. Trials can bring us back to trust the Lord and earn back the trust of others, if we ask forgiveness and repent. 

Joseph: Trials Resulting from Another’s Choices 

“So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern” (Genesis 37:23). “Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So, he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained” (Genesis 39:19-20).

The Lord was with Joseph is a phrase used each time Joseph encountered a new trial which was initiated by someone else’s decision. The jealousy of his brothers boiled over into anger and the violent act of tossing Joseph into a pit to die, but they decided to make money instead, selling him as a slave to a traveling band of traders. But the Lord was with Joseph. The hardworking, handsome young man was sold to Potiphar to manage his household. Joseph worked with spectacular success. Driven by lust from abandonment, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph but failed, so she falsely accused him. Her husband sent him to prison, but the Lord was with Joseph. 

Your trial may be the outcome from a disease you did not see coming, but you live in a fallen world. Storms sometimes blow through uprooting trees that fall causing great damage to homes, or tragically cause fatalities. A fallen world can be cruel and severe in its disruption of lives and destruction of property. But the Lord is still with you. Fortunately, one day Jesus will restore to His followers a new earth, flourishing without sin. Another person’s foolish decisions may have you financially strapped or emotionally trapped. Either way, the Lord is with you, forgive him as God has forgiven you—totally. Allow trials from another’s choices to make your faith stronger.

Job: Trials as a Test of Integrity  

Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil” (Job 1:8). “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically” (Job 1:12).

Job was a man of integrity who feared God and avoided evil—blameless. Remarkably, he did not curse God or blame the devil despite his dire circumstances. His family died, his business went bust, his fortune evaporated and his wife and closest friends lost faith in him. Certainly, there must be sin in his life because of the horrific circumstances that had ambushed him. But Job endured his hellish condition, never losing hope in God to bring healing and restoration. The blessing of continuing to trust in the Lord during his deep trial meant the deeper his intimacy grew with God. Job learned things about God’s love and power he may have missed in less severe days. He passed the test of integrity by patiently processing in prayer and leaning into the Lord.

You may experience a test of your own integrity. Will you continue to do the right thing when you have been treated wrongly? Is your faith contingent on everything going well, or on the unchanging love of Christ for you? You are still his beloved, especially during the most difficult of days. He will never leave or forsake you. Lean into the Father’s love, the Spirit’s fullness, and the Son’s friendship. A test of your integrity is meant to grow your intimate love with the Lord. The noisy opinions from others of what you need to do will grow silent the quieter you become in stillness and solitude. Embrace the superior identity of who you are in Christ and let go of the inferior identities of work, status and money. Passing your test of integrity will prosper you with the true riches of your loving relationship with God and others. 

“People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed” (Proverbs 10:9, NLT).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I trust you in the middle of my trials to grow my love for you and others, through Christ’s love, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Faith … is the great blessing—the eye that sees, the ear that hears, the feet that run, the hand that grasps. It is the means, not the end.” In Heavenly Places, 104.

If your faith is a conviction, you will not be swayed and all that you do will be Christlike. You will be living your life for the Lord. You can honestly say, “For to me to live is Christ.” Philippians 1:21.

If your faith is just a preference, a choice depending on the circumstances, you will be swayed and double minded. You will abandon your faith because it will not be convenient at all times and places to represent Christ.

It is a terrible thought that any of us would abandon our faith for any reason. We do not know what is in our hearts.

God wants you and me to be part of the heavenly family so He allows trials to alert us to the danger we are in. Without the testing we may be unaware of some shortcoming that may cause us to lose out on heaven.

He says in 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

I thank God for testing my character. I want Him to search me and to know my heart to prepare me for heavenly places. I so enjoy walking with Him that I would like to walk through the heavenly gates with Him.

The whole universe is watching us this moment. May God be praised in all that we say, hear and do under all circumstances. I pray that your spiritual muscle will increase.

“It is coming in contact with difficulties that will give you spiritual muscle and sinew. You will become strong in Christ if you endure the testing process and the proving of God. … Remember when trials come that you are a spectacle to angels and to men, and that every time you fail to bear the proving of the Lord you are lessening your spiritual strength. You should hold your peace from complaining, and take your burden to Jesus, and lay your whole soul open before Him. Do not carry it to a third person. … Say, ‘I will not gratify the enemy by murmuring. I will lay my care at the feet of Jesus. I will tell it to Him in faith.’ If you do this you will receive help from above; you will realize the fulfillment of the promise, ‘He is on my right hand that I should not be moved’ (Psalm 16:8). ” That I May Know Him, 282.

Heavenly Father, Try me so that I may know whether my faith is a conviction, or just a preference. I pray that I will never abandon my faith because of inconvenience. I choose to always have time for you in my life that I may have peace in the midst of everyday responsibilities and trials. Amen.

PETER 4:12 ESV 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Don't be surprised when your faith is tested! And don't be afraid! Jesus -- who promised to never forsake you -- is still there to help you.

The test of faith is the devil trying to steal your faith. The devil wants you to believe something other than God's Word.

MARK 4:15 ESV 15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

The devil wants to steal God's Word out of your life, to stop your faith. So you have to hang on to your faith! You have to say "NO!" to the devil!

Our enemy could never steal faith in God's Word away from us unless at some point it seems like God's Word is wrong. Or that God has forgotten us and forsaken us. This will happen to you sometime! When it does, trust God and His faithfulness more than you trust your present circumstances.

HEBREWS 10:23 ESV 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

HEBREWS 4:14 NLT 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.

No matter what it seems like -- Jesus is faithful. He cannot lie! Our problem is our limited perspective. We don't know the future, but God does.

1 PETER 1:7 ESV 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Genuine faith is very precious to the Lord. When you overcome tests you grow spiritually, which causes joy in Heaven, and should encourage you to rejoice, too.

JAMES 1:2-4 ESV 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

LUKE 22:32 ESV 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

SAY THIS: When my faith is tested, the Lord will help me pass the test.

True Christian life has too many paradoxical experiences. Death for life, giving to receive, going down to go up and weakness in strength etc! Such an apparently contradictory statement is found in 1Peter. 1:6, 7:- “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials”. Manifold trials, and great joy. For a normal human being, it’s very hard to greatly rejoice, while going through fierce trials. But a Christian believer finds it normal to rejoice in trials and tribulations. 

When Apostle Peter and companions were whipped and threatened, they went rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for Christ. Acts.5:40, 41. On another occasion when Paul and Silas were severely beaten and threw in to the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks they began to pray and sing hymns of praise to the Lord.. Acts.16:24, 25. Later Paul wrote, “We also exult in our tribulations”. (Romans.5:3) “As sorrowful yet always rejoicing”. (2Corinthias.10). What an irony to the common man:- rejoicing at trials. Yes, that’s exactly what Jesus said in His beatitude; “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness….rejoice and be glad.”. Matthew.5:10-12.

Why do they rejoice at suffering? 

Many reasons could be found in the scripture for such Christian joy, but the most important one that Peter mentions is worthy of consideration; “that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth”. 1Peter.1:7.(KJV). They realize that these trials are testing time for their faith. It is like a student who is under much stress and tension during time of exam yet facing it joyfully and boldly, knowing that this brief period will result in approval and promotion. 

In a Christian’s life too, trials are very much essential for the furtherance of his faith as well as fruitfulness. Peter further says that, “Beloved do not be surprised the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing as though some strange thing were happening to you”. 1 Peter.4:12. Trials for the men of faith are not a strange, isolated phenomenon, but a universal fact.

Consider the saints in the past. Always God tests the godly ones of their faith. When the Abraham who is known as the father of believers was called upon by God to sacrifice his only son, it was a test of his faith on a higher level. Hebrews.11:17. He tested the faith of the Israelites with a very strange strategy to pull down the wall of Jericho. Joshua.6. When Elijah was being fed by the ravens and the water from the brook of Cherith, the Lord tested his faith by stopping the provision all of a sudden. 1Kings. 17: 7. Job the blameless, upright, God fearing man also was not spared! He allowed Satan to touch his body and everything else except the life. Job.1:12. It was truly a fiery trial. 

Often we fail to fathom such test of faith. Nevertheless, one thing is certain, God in His sovereign will and wisdom does try the faith of the saints, and it’s for our good and He makes it perfectly with out any error. With that conviction they all faced it with joy and came out of it with flying colors.

The reasons

Why does God try our faith? Doesn’t He know all about us exactly? Certainly, God knows who we are and what kind of life we lead. Then why should He test our faith. I think two main reasons are there 
A. To show me who I am. 
By going through the trial of faith successfully, I will come to know of my own state. That will affect our faith - life enormously. 
B. To show to others as a testimony.

Then the next question is why God should deal with our faith in such a painful manner to teach me or others. Why can’t He choose some other way? Questions are many. Certainly, we can be assured that there is no error in His purposes and dealings with us. He does everything well, with a definite intention. Let us consider few possible reasons why the Lord Almighty tests our faith.

1. Because of the importance of faith.

Notice, Peter compared faith with gold. The more gold is purified, more costly it becomes. Faith is costly and precious for a Christian. It’s fundamental. The total Christian life depends upon faith. From regeneration to the end of our pilgrim journey we need to live by faith. “All these died in faith…” Hebrews.11:13. By faith alone we are forgiven, saved, justified and given eternal life. Cf. Acts.10:43; Romans.3:25, 28; 5:1; John.20:31 etc. Not only that our spiritual edification and preservation also is based upon our faith. 1Timothy.1:4; 1Peter.1:5. 

Paul says he lives and walks by faith. Galatians.2:20; 2Corinthians.5:7. It is by faith that we pray receive answers for our prayers. Without faith the word of God will have no effect in our life. 1 Thessalonians.2:13. Hebrews. 4:2. The only thing that God requires us is faith. John. 6:29. God is pleased, when we are able to trust Him fully and take His word as true. Hebrews.11:6. He has no pleasure in those who fail to trust Him. Heb.10:38. Nothing is impossible with the one who believes the Lord. 
While seeing the plight of the saints and the injustice among the gentiles, Habakkuk puzzled and troubled in his mind, God answered and admonished him, “..the righteous shall live by his faith’. Habakuk.2:4 

Thus the total life of a saint is based on faith. The quality of our spiritual life is in proportion to the quality to our faith. Our salvation, fruitfulness, our boldness, joy & peace and our victory, every thing is based on faith. That’s why Paul admonishes the Corinthians, “Stand firm in the faith”. (1 Corinthians.16:13) and “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2Corinthinas.13:5) More than anybody else the Lord knows the importance of faith and allows various ways to test, prove and improve our faith. 

2. Because of the possibility of having a false faith. 

Faith is one of the most commonly misunderstood biblical terms. There are different ideas behind the same word.
a. The creed. 2 Peter.1:1. Jude.v.3. “faith that was once for all delivered unto the saints”. Cp. V.20. Here Jude refers to the body of truth, the doctrine revealed in the word of God. Saying yes to such creed, belief will not transform any body. It’s not saving faith. 
b. Intellectual belief. James. 2:19. Mere mental knowledge of anything, even things concerning the Lord has no regenerative value. Even devil has such knowledge. James says emphatically that faith that doesn’t affect our life is dead. Jam.2:26.
c. Secular faith. John.2:23-25. Every one believes something or some body in his everyday life. He believes a doctor and quietly lies before him for a surgery! He believes a driver and sits in the vehicle to reach the destination. Such every day practical faith is very much temporary in nature and it has nothing to do with spiritual life or salvation. 

That is what happened to the Jews whom we find in John.2:23—25. They believed Christ just because of the miracles performed. It was not true faith. The Lord knew the merit of their faith. That’s why though they believed Him, He did not believe them. Later on we will notice them, leaving Christ. Still many misunderstand their secular faith as a spiritual faith. As the days go by either they will show their reality or the Lord will make it public. 1Thessalonians.3:2; 1John. 2:19; Matthew.7:22, 23. 

d. Spiritual faith. Romans.12:3; Ephesians.2:8; Romans. 5:1. Then what is true, biblical faith? It is the God given ability to trust God’s word as true and yield fully at His disposal. Faith is God’s gift through regeneration. Ephesians.2:8 say that even the faith we exercised at conversion is also God’s gift. According to the Hebrew writer, the Lord Jesus Christ is the one who implanted faith in us and it is He who shall perfect faith in our heart. Hebrews.12:1

By such supernatural faith we see things that are unseen to the normal man. Faith substantiates the invisible things as true. Hebrtews.11:1.The Hebrew writer goes on to explain the possibilities of faith, using the Old Testament illustrations. 

This spiritual faith is what saves us, helps us to continue to trust and take God for His word. So this faith can be called ‘scriptural faith’ or ‘saving faith’. Make no mistake, faith in itself is has no merit. It is by faith we accept all what is said about the Lord Jesus Christ and accept the salvation and other blessings that He offers. The more we grow in our faith, the more of divine work will be done in and through us. 

So God allows suffering to examine what kind of faith we have. He wants us to make sure whether we have intellectual faith, secular faith or spiritual faith. Thus trials help us to reflect and make amendments in faith life. 

3. Because of the variations in the level of our faith. 

Matthew.6:30; 15:28; Luke.17:5. Our level of faith could go up and down. Some have little faith and others greater faith. To grow in our Christian life we need to continue in our faith and be strong as the days go by. If faith is compared to a pipe that flow God’s life & blessings, the more wide the pipe is, the more blessings and life will flow down. 

An occasional check in the will and wisdom of God helps us to find out the real stage of our faith and make corrections. So, because of the fluctuating faith trials are essential to scrutinize and reinforce our faith. 2Corinthians.8:7. 

4. Because of the satanic attack on our faith. Luke.22:31. cp. Ephesians. 6:16. 

We have seen already that how much important faith is in a Christian’s life. The effectiveness and productivity of his spiritual life depend upon His faith. That exactly is the reason why the enemy is focusing on our faith. Evil forces are aiming at a believer’s faith. Satan wanted to swift Peter like wheat. Luke 22:31. The Lord prayed for his faith. So, because our enemy targets our faith the Lord who knows us exactly helps us in various ways to make our faith stronger, including trials! 

Of course there are many ways to examine, enlarge and build up our faith. For example regular study of God’s word helps us in growing our faith. (Romans.10:17) also our prayers for more faith also are answered by the Lord. (Lk.17:5). Listening to the exhortations of Godly men also encourages in our faith. (Acts.14:22). However in this study our focus is on the trials that God uses to test and strengthen our faith. 1 Peter.1:6, 7; James.1:3.

5. Because of the effect of our faith in others lives. 2Corinthians. 1:6. 

The quality of our faith not only affects our life but also of others. Failure as well as success in our faith gives a lasting impression in other believers. Our faith life could be a challenging example to other Christians. As we successfully face trials and succeed, it is a pattern to others. Our testimony will give comfort and consolation to those who go through similar difficulties. That’s why Paul finds comfort in his difficulties realizing that it is for Corinthians consolation. 

Who can forget the impact of the faith life of George Muller or Fanny Crosby etc? Faith of such saints in the midst of difficult situations always challenges Christians to trust God and patiently suffer. 

The result.

From the above points itself we get the results of sufferings a believer’s life. Trials under God will lead a Christian to brokenness but never to depression and discouragement. “All discipline for the moment seem not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness”. Hebrews.12:11. Testing always produces positive results in a child of God. Job, the one who suffered the worst affirmed, “Though He slay me, I will hope He knows the way I take, in Him...” “When He has tried me I shall come forth as gold”. Job.13:15; 23:10.

A metal goes through the various stages of melting and heating, before it becomes pure and strong. So is a Christian, he becomes more clean, pure and strong as he goes through various trials. Jeremiah.9:7; 1 Peter.1:7; James.1:3. 

a. Christ - likeness. Romans. 5:3.

One of the best results of suffering is the Christ like character that will be produced in us. His life and qualities will begin to reflect in us. Paul’s words are noteworthy; “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death works in us.” 2Cor. 4:8-12. 

b. Usefulness. 2Corinthians. 1:4. 

They will be able to understand others who suffer and empathize with them. Thus their ministry for suffering Christians will be more effective. There will be increased zeal and commitment in a beliers’ life. 

c. Promotion. Daniel. 3:30
Apart from character building and quality growth, God will also reward and promote the saints who patiently undergo trials. Dan.3:30. 

c. Glory of God. Daniel. 3:23, 29. 

God will begin to use such saints for His glory. The fiery trials of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego made Nebuchadnezzar to see the glory of God. In John 11:4ff we see how the Lord allowed not only sickness but even death for the glory of God. There are number of believers in the past who, along with their infirmity glorified the Lord. No trials and tribulations stopped them from witnessing for the Lord. As Paul said their weakness was their strength. 2Corinthians. 12:9, 10. 

Our response.

Then, what should be our response to trial of our faith- suffering? It must be very much positive. Yes, even we must be willing to welcome trials! 

Three things are important:-

a. Accept trails. Face it with joy. Realize that whatever God permits is for our good. He will not allow in thing beyond our ability. 1Corinthians. 10:13. cp. Isaiah.28:27. He will grant the needed grace and a way out as well. 2Corinthians.12:9. Even in the midst of difficulties our Lord is close to us. He does not forsake or forget us when we suffer. Isiah. 43:2

b. Wait patiently. Isiah.28:24. 1 Peter.5:10; 1Corinthians.4:7. No trial is for ever. There will be an end. It’s temporary. After a while he will begin to bless, use and strengthen us. Never throw away confidence which has great reward. Heb. 10:35, 36. 

c. Yield to His will. Take time to examine self and try to learn the lessons the Lord is trying to teach us. Voluntarily and joyfully surrender self to the purposes of God, whatever may be the situation now or later.

Habakkuk’s resolution may be a fitting conclusion to this study; “Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation”.Habkkuk.3:17, 18.

Christianity Is a Life of Painful Joy

The Old Testament commands us to delight ourselves in the Lord (Psalm 37:4) and to serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2) and to rejoice before the Lord our God in all our undertakings (Deuteronomy 12:18).

Jesus commands us, "Rejoice and leap for joy for your reward is great in heaven" (Luke 6:23), and he tells us, "These things I have spoken to you that my joy might be in you and your joy might be full" (John 15:11).

The apostle Paul commands us, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). He tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22). He says that he is a worker with us for our joy (2 Corinthians 1:24) and that he lives for the advancement and joy of our faith (Philippians 1:25), and that God loves a cheerful giver.

And on and on. And so it is with the other writers of Scripture. The message is: Christianity is a life of tremendous and abiding joy.

Now Peter picks up this great theme in verse 6 and shows us two great reasons for joy, and in the process, why it is painful joy. The first one we have spent two weeks on already. The second one is new in verses 6 and 7.

Two Reasons Why Christians Can Be Joyful

1. The Promise of a Great Future

Let me just remind you of the first reason since that's what Peter does at the beginning of verse 6. He says, "In this you greatly rejoice." The word "this" refers to the first reason for great joy. It refers back to what we've seen in verses 3–5.

• Verse 3: God caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection from the dead.
• Verse 4: God is keeping an inheritance for us in heaven that can't perish or soil or fade.
• Verse 5: God is keeping us for that inheritance.

There's an inheritance and there's an inheritor. And the first basis of our joy is that God is keeping both: he is keeping the inheritance perfect for us; and he is keeping us in faith so that we will in fact not make shipwreck of our faith and lose the inheritance.

Then in verse 6 Peter says, "In THIS you greatly rejoice." The first reason for our joy is the great future God promises us and his unswerving commitment to keep it for us and us for it. In other words, our joy is based on the happiness of our future with God and the certainty that we will make it there. Christian joy is almost synonymous with Christian hope. That's why Peter says in verse 3 that we were born again into a living hope; then verses 4 and 5 describe the content of that hope; and then verse 6 begins, "in THIS you rejoice." In this you have living, vital, life-changing hope; and in this you rejoice. Our hope is our joy.

2. A Design for Our Distresses

The second reason is that God has a design for our distresses in this life. This is what verses 6 and 7 are about—God's design for our distress.

But now don't misunderstand me. The second reason for joy is essentially the same as the first one, namely, hope. But the difference is this:

1. In verses 3–5 the point is that the inheritance is out there waiting for us imperishable and unfading, and that we are being kept for it, so that no matter what distresses we face we can look beyond them to the sure future that is coming and take heart. It is going to be worth it all.
2. In verses 6–7 the point is different: namely, that the distresses themselves have a part in getting us ready to enjoy the inheritance to the fullest possible measure. We don't just look beyond the distresses to the sure hope; we look at God's design in the distresses—and see how God is working the distresses together for our good.

So Christianity is a life of tremendous joy first because we have a great and fail-safe future to look forward to beyond all our distresses, AND second because God has a design to increase our joy in that future by means of all our distresses.

Let's look at this design in verses 6 and 7.

God Has a Design for Our Distresses 

First, where do I get the idea that our distresses are designed by God for our good?

"If Necessary"

I get it from the phrase "if necessary" in verse 6 and the word "that" (or "so that") at the beginning of verse 7. Verse 6 says, "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials." What kind of necessity is this? Who or what is making the distress of these trials "necessary"?

The answer is God. Peter makes it plain that Christian distress only happens if God wills it. For example, in 3:17 he says, "It is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong." You might suffer for doing what is right; you might not. The ultimate choice is God's. "If God should will it so," we will or we won't. Or again in 4:19 he says, "Let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."

In other words, Peter is teaching that the sovereign will of God governs all the distresses that happen to us and, therefore the design in them is not ultimately the design of evil men or the design of Satan (which are real enough!), but is a design of God.

So when Peter says in verse 6, "If necessary, you have been distressed by various trials," he means, "If God deems it necessary."

"So That"

But why would God do that? This leads us to the word "that" or "so that" at the beginning of verse 7. This gives the reason why God would deem it necessary that we be distressed by various trials: "that [or so that] the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

What this verse does is spell out the design of our distresses. The design is that our distresses would refine the genuineness of our faith the way fire refines gold so that when Christ comes back, the quality of our faith would win praise and glory and honor.

So there is a design in your distresses as a Christian. God wills them, and he does so for your good.

Then Does God Will Our Suffering and Distress? 

Now I know that this raises a painful and troubling question. We are not playing games here. We are talking about your and my real life this very day. Does God will the break up of your marriage? Does God will your cancer, your homosexual orientation, the rebellion of your child, the loss of your job, the threatening chaos in Russia and Congo and Somalia and Guinea? I will give you my answer, which I believe to be the biblical one, based on texts like 1 Peter 3:17 and 4:19.

The answer is No, God does not will it, and Yes, he does. No, in the sense that he does not delight in pain for its own sake; he does not command sin or approve of sinning. But Yes, he does will that these things be, in the sense that he could prevent any of those things but sometimes does not, but rather guides them, because of higher designs than the destructiveness of sin or the deceitfulness of Satan or the painfulness of suffering.

When Christians suffer for doing right, sin is happening to them. But 1 Peter 3:17 says that sometimes God wills that this happen. He does not endorse or approve sinning, but he can and does will that sinful acts come about for his own holy designs. When Christ was murdered on the cross, it was sin, but God willed that it happen: "It was the will of the Lord to bruise him" (Isaiah 53:10). And by that will we are saved.

Five Elements of God's Design in Our Distresses

Now if there is a divine design in our distresses, we must ask what that is. Because knowing this is a means of tremendous joy in and through our distresses.

Peter mentions at least five elements of God's design in our distresses.

1. Various Trials

In God's design, our distresses are made up of various trials.

Verse 6b: "if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials." The NIV says "all kinds of trials." The point is that the variety of ways that we experience distress is great. So in God's design it is "necessary," he says, to use a wide range of trials. There is not just one kind of trial in view here. God paints with many colors. Many dark and many bright. And in the end the canvas of your life will be glorious, if you entrust your soul to a faithful Creator (4:19).

2. Brief Distresses

In God's design, my distresses are brief.

Verse 6 again: "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials." Brief is very relative, isn't it? If you say, "He can hold his breath a long time," you mean two or three minutes. That's long for breath-holding. But if you say, "He's been a pastor of the church for a long time," you mean perhaps 15 or 20 years.

So it is with the phrase "little while" in this verse. Compared to others and compared to a lifetime on earth, your distresses may last a long time not a little. But compared to eternity—compared to the inheritance imperishable, undefiled, unfading, kept in heaven for you—they are only for a little time. Peter shares James' perspective on this life: "You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). Compared to the length and greatness of the future God has planned for you, all the distresses of this life are very little in deed (cf. 5:10).

3. Grievous Trials

In God's design, our trials are grievous.

They are distresses. The word in verse 6 ("you have been distressed by various trials") means grieved, sorrowed. Mark this well. It's not double-talk when Peter says, "In this you are rejoicing, though now for a little while in this life you are grieved." You are rejoicing though you are grieved. We know this is not a mistake, because Paul said he experienced this very thing. In 2 Corinthians 6:10 he says he lives "as sorrowful [same word] yet always rejoicing."

In God's design for our trials there is a place for real, authentic grieving and distress. But this experience is fundamentally altered from the way the world experiences these things. We see a design in it all. And so our root stays planted even though the branches thrash in the wind. And the leaves remain green and the fruit keeps growing because our roots go down by the stream of God's sovereign grace—and we trust him for a good design.

4. Like Refining Fire 

In God's design, our distresses are like the fire that refines gold from its impurities.

Verse 7: "that the proof [or genuineness] of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

When gold is melted in the fire the impurities float to the top and can be removed. When the refining fire is over, the gold is even more valuable. So it is with your faith in God. You have faith. You trust his promises. But there are impurities in it. There are elements of murmuring and pessimism (I speak from painful experience). And there are tendencies to trust money and position and popularity alongside God—dirt mingled with the gold of faith.

These impurities in our faith hinder our fullest experience of the goodness and greatness of God. So God designs to refine our faith with the fires of trial and distress. His aim is that our faith be more pure and more genuine. That is, that it be more utterly dependent on him and not on things and other persons for our joy.

One of the best illustrations of how this works comes from the experience the apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians 1:8–9Paul described this very refining design of God in his distress. "We do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life [that's the fire]; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead [that's the gold]."

God took away from Paul an ordinary prop of safety and let him feel an almost overwhelming sense of human abandonment. This was the fire of 1 Peter 1:7. Not because God didn't love Paul. But because God saw Paul's faith as gold worthy of refining.

5. Our Faith Receiving Praise, Glory, and Honor 

Finally, in God's design, the result of this refining is that our faith will receive praise and honor and glory.

Verse 7: "that the proof of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

When Jesus appears in glory, two things are going to happen. His glory will be magnificently reflected in the mirror of our faith. He will be the trusted one and the hoped-for one and the rejoiced-in one. So his glory will shine in our faith and hope and joy. And the more pure and refined the gold of our faith, the more clearly his beauty and worth will be reflected.

But since God exalts all that exalts him, he will give praise and honor and glory to our faith. He will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." He will give us (as Peter says in 5:4) "the unfading crown of glory" (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:5).

And we will see finally that the design of God in our distress has been the extraordinary joy of sharing in the very glory and praise and honor of God himself.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold.” (1 Peter 1:7a NLT)

The Bible repeatedly says that God has promised to meet your needs: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

But the Bible also tells us that with every promise there is a condition. One of the conditions for this promise is that you have to trust him. The more you trust God, the more God is able to meet needs in your life.

So, how can you learn to trust God more so he can meet all of your needs? How can you learn to have greater faith?

You don’t get faith by sitting in a Bible study group or just talking about it. Faith is like a muscle; it develops by being used. The more you use your faith, the more it gets stretched. And the more it gets stretched, the more God is able to bless your life.

We call the circumstances that God creates to stretch our faith “trials”: “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold” (1 Peter 1:7a NLT).

There are four common trials that God uses to test our faith, and, chances are, you’re in one of these tests right now. When you go through them, you can know that it is an opportunity for you to develop your faith so you can trust God more. I’ll talk about the first two today and the next two tomorrow.

• The Pressure Test

The pressure test asks the question, “How will you handle stress?” Will you depend on yourself, or will you depend on God? Psalm 50:15 says, “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (NIV). Do you turn to God when you’re in trouble and not to other things?

• The People Test

God often uses people in your life to test and stretch and develop your faith. This test asks the question, “How will you handle disappointment?” Life is often disappointing. Careers, marriages, and even plans don’t turn out the way we planned them. But the most disappointing thing in life is people. Why? We get disappointed by people because we expect them to meet a need that only God himself can meet. This is a test!

Your problem is not the people in your life. Your problem is your response to the people in your life. People are not the problem, and they’re not the answer to the problem, either. The answer is God. When you expect other people to be your savior, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Jeremiah 17:7 says, “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence” (NLT). What happens if you trust in the Lord? Look at God’s promise in Isaiah 49:23: “Those who hope in me will not be disappointed” (NIV).

 Talk It Over

1. Which of these tests is God using in your life right now to stretch your faith?
2. How will you choose to respond to the stress and people in your life that are testing your faith?

Sally Cameron is a professional chef, author, recipe developer, educator, certified health coach and one of the contributors to The Daniel Plan Cookbook. Sally’s passion is to inspire people to create great tasting meals at home using healthy ingredients and easy techniques. Sally is the publisher of the popular food blog, A Food Centric Life. Sally works with clients, including professional athletes and public figures, to help them achieve their individual health goals through optimum food choices and culinary and nutritional coaching. She holds a culinary degree from The Art Institute and health coaching certification from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition.