Topical Bible: Faith: Trial of

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The concept of the trial of faith is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the testing and refining of a believer's trust in God. This process is often depicted as a necessary part of spiritual growth and maturity, serving to strengthen and purify one's faith.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Abraham's Test of Faith: One of the most profound examples of faith being tested is found in the account of Abraham. In Genesis 22, God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Despite the seemingly impossible demand, Abraham's willingness to obey demonstrates his unwavering faith. Hebrews 11:17-19 reflects on this event: "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.' Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death."

2. Job's Endurance: The Book of Job provides another profound narrative of faith under trial. Job, a righteous man, faces immense suffering and loss, yet he maintains his faith in God. Job 23:10 states, "Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Job's account illustrates the belief that trials can lead to a deeper understanding and relationship with God.

3. New Testament Teachings: The New Testament continues to emphasize the trial of faith. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." This passage highlights the purpose of trials in developing spiritual maturity.

4. Peter's Exhortation: The Apostle Peter also addresses the trial of faith in 1 Peter 1:6-7 : "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Peter likens the testing of faith to the refining of gold, emphasizing its value and the ultimate reward.

5. Paul's Perspective: The Apostle Paul frequently writes about the trials faced by believers. In Romans 5:3-5 , he states, "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Paul underscores the transformative power of trials in the life of a believer.

Purpose and Outcome

The trial of faith serves several purposes in the life of a believer. It acts as a means of purification, removing impurities and strengthening one's reliance on God. Trials also serve to demonstrate the authenticity of one's faith, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Abraham and Job. Moreover, they are instrumental in developing perseverance, character, and hope, as taught by James and Paul.

Ultimately, the trial of faith is portrayed as a divine tool used by God to prepare believers for greater service and to bring glory to His name. Through these trials, believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, knowing that their faith, once tested, will emerge stronger and more resilient.

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1 Chronicles 29:17
I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy your people, which are present here, to offer willingly to you.
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Psalm 26:2
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
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Psalm 81:7
You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder: I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
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Matthew 13:19-22
When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
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Matthew 24:21-25
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
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Luke 8:13,14
They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
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2 Thessalonians 1:3-5
We are bound to thank God always for you, brothers, as it is meet, because that your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounds;
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Hebrews 6:13-15
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,
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James 1:3,12
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.
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1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
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Library

September 28. "The Trial of Your Faith Being Much More Precious ...
... "The trial of your faith being much more precious than gold" (I. Peter i. 7). "The
trial of your faith being much more precious than gold" (I. Peter i.7). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 28 the trial of.htm

Faith Tested and Crowned
... Near the end, and after many years of peaceful, uneventful life, he had to take
a yet higher degree in the school of faith. Sharp trial means increased ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/faith tested and crowned.htm

The Trial at Caesarea
... harmony with the plain teaching of the Scriptures, he held the faith of the ... his visit
to Jerusalem, and the circumstances of his arrest and trial: "Now after ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 39 the trial at.htm

The Trial by Fire
... Clearly we must suppose that in all the ordering of this sublime trial by fire,
Elijah had ... us draw on Him; but to suspend our own or other people's faith in Him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the trial by fire.htm

The Beecher Trial
... In many ways it became evident how keenly he felt the trial. ... admissions by letter
were exceptionally large, as were also those by confession of their faith. ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/the beecher trial.htm

The Triumph of Faith
... It may be best studied as an illustration of the trial of faith, its refuge,
its pleading, and its deliverance. I. Note the trial of faith. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the triumph of faith.htm

The Crowning Test and Triumph of Faith
... It is ever so. The trial has 'its perfect work.' Faith is led to the edge
of the precipice, one step farther and all is over. Then ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the crowning test and triumph.htm

The Trial of Saul.
... the Philistines, but had faith in God. Oh that he had continued in his faith!
but his faith gave way when his trial was prolonged. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iii the trial of.htm

Days of Toil and Trial
... Lesson 28 Days of Toil and Trial. [This chapter is based on Acts 19:21-41; 20:1.] ...
This gala season was a trying time for those who had newly come to the faith. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 28 days of toil.htm

The True Gold and Its Testing
... But in the text, according to our Authorised Version, it looks at first sight as
if it were not the faith, but the trial of the faith that the Apostle regards ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the true gold and its.htm