Imagine being put to the test by Jesus
Imagine being put to the test by Jesus.
We read about it in John 6:6: ‘Jesus asked this only to test Philip, for he himself knew what he was going to do.’ (NIV)
It’s just a small sentence, almost in passing, but it holds a deeper meaning.
That’s quite an interesting thought. Why did Jesus actually want to test Philip’s faith? Why is your faith actually put to the test? And in what way does that happen? It’s a question we can all imagine, because we all deal with it. It’s good to pause and consider what this can mean for us.
We see in John 6:6 that Jesus asks Philip a question to see if he believed that Jesus could do something that seemed impossible to people. We encounter situations more often in the Bible where people’s faith is really put to the test. Just think of Abraham, who had to wait so long for a son. Or the story of Job. And Israel in the desert, where the people were tested again and again: would they rebel, or would they be obedient to what God said through Moses? Through this, their faith and their character became clear, and that also applies to us. It’s a kind of training for your faith.
We also read that Jesus himself was tested. He was tempted by the devil to do all sorts of things, as you can read for yourself in the Bible. But He resisted the devil again and again.
There is a way out
Fortunately, we read in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God always offers a way out in such a trial: ‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide1 a way out so that you can endure it.’ (NIV) He gives us answers, wisdom, strength, insight, and faith to understand the situation and resist temptations.
In Philip’s case, it was different; the question was asked not to lead him to wrong actions, but to a higher level of trust. Jesus tests his faith, whether he trusts that with God the impossible is possible. So these tests, this putting to the test, is a kind of teaching. Just as Jesus wanted to teach Philip something, God can also now allow situations in our lives that challenge us to trust Him and grow in our faith.
It is important to see the difference between testing and tempting:
Testing (Greek: ‘peirazo’) often has a positive meaning. It’s about trying, putting to the test, examining with the aim of showing someone’s good qualities, faith, or obedience.
Tempting (Greek: also often ‘peirazo’ in the sense of enticement to sin) has a negative aim. It’s about luring into evil, inciting to sin.
Our situation
Looking at the story of Philip, we can conclude that God and Jesus can still test us today to strengthen our faith and character. The goal is never to make us sin, but to shape us and bring us closer to Him. In such situations, it’s important to pray for wisdom and strength, and to trust in God’s promise that He will never test us beyond what we can bear.
In daily life, there are plenty of examples of how we might encounter this; I’ll mention a few:
- A misunderstanding causes an argument with a friend or family member. Do you remain stubborn and insist on being right, or are you willing to listen, apologize, and forgive?
- You get the chance to make a lot of money quickly in a way that doesn’t feel entirely honest. Do you go for the quick money, or do you stick to your principles and trust that God will help you in an honest way?
- You apply for a job you really want, but you keep getting rejected. Do you trust that God has a better plan for you, or do you become discouraged and settle for less?
- You are tempted on social media by gossip and false accusations. Do you give in and react angrily, or do you ask God for help to resist and keep your thoughts under control?
- Even in church or your faith community, you might encounter things you don’t agree with. How do you deal with that? Do you rebel, or do you ask God for wisdom on how to act? You don’t want to cause conflict, but you do hope for a good solution.
Philip faced a challenge, and we also encounter challenges every day. What choice do we make then? It’s not always easy. Trials can be difficult and painful, and it’s okay to struggle with them and ask God for help. Ultimately, it’s important in every situation to pray for wisdom and insight, so that we can recognize the trials and respond to them in a way that honors God and helps us grow in our faith.
Wishing you strength and wisdom.
@wimvanputten