Central Truth

Testing is part of growing spiritully and learning to live victoriously!

Reflections

Do you like being tested?  Testing is necessary for growth, but seldom something we seek.   

During Jesus' wilderness experience He was tested.  Luke tells us that Jesus was tempted by the devil for forty days. Then, in His most vulnerable condition, Satan approached Jesus for the final three tests. Jesus did not resist Satan’s temptation of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life based on His physical strength, His personal wisdom, or the emotion of the moment. Jesus went to the bedrock of God's promise: His Father's Holy Word. He may have felt alone, physically weak, or emotionally drained, but He did not let that be an excuse for falling to Satan’s temptations. In victory, Jesus experienced the Holy Spirit's power.    

In 2003, I set out to achieve the rank of "Wilderness" in a Christian re-enactment organization. Testing started on a cold fall morning by requiring a demonstration of proficiency in frontiersman skills such as black powder shooting, knife throwing, and fire starting with flint and steel. The second phase required an overnight stay in a remote location in the woods - ALONE! I didn't sleep that night and beyond the flicker of the firelight were threatening shadows, unknown footsteps, and frightening sounds. During that night, when all the distractions of life were removed, prayer and the words of Psalm 91 gave me peace and drew me closer to God! What looked like an earthly test, was really my spiritual “Wilderness” experience.

Testing is always a part of growing spiritually and God allows us to experience temptation so we can learn to overcome it. Each time God gives us victory over temptation, we are stronger in our faith and better prepared to overcome temptation in the future. In this life, when you are tested or tempted to sin, don't fight in your own strength, fight with God's Holy Word. Then like Jesus, you will live victoriously in The Spirit!

Discussion Questions

1. What is the one verse you believe is God's promise directly to you? Why?

2. Describe a test you went through and how God gave you victory.

3. Identify five new verses that you can commit to memory.