Job 23:10

What is the difference between temptation and testing? Is there really a difference? Does God tempt us? Does God test us? And if he does, why is it necessary for believers to experience this?

Our study of the book of Job has introduced us to a man grappling with the darkest period of his life. He has lost everything. Friends try to persuade him that he has committed a grave sin. Meanwhile, Job is seeking to understand what God is doing.

In Job 23, Job expresses his frustration with God’s silence, stating, “I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him” (23:8). Job resigns himself to trusting that God is at work and will “complete what he appoints for me” (23:14). Despite his suffering, Job remains steadfast in his faith. He affirms, “I have not departed from the commandment of [God’s] lips; I have treasured the words of [God’s] mouth more than my portion of food” (23:12). Amid his wretched circumstances and intolerable pain, Job confesses his devotion to God with this remarkable statement:

Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

The word “tried” (Heb: bahana) literally means “to test metals by melting.” Refining metals through fire is known as smelting, in which the ore is heated to extremely high temperatures, separating the metals from impurities. Job, of course, uses the term figuratively to mean “to put to the test” or “to examine.” He feels he is in a smelting furnace, and the process will burn away any impurities in his life. He will emerge from the test refined, like purified gold.

Let’s return to our original question: Is temptation and being “put to the test” the same thing? We will look at temptation first.

Temptation is the lure or urge to say, think, or do something wrong. It entices us to disregard God’s guidance and follow our own desires. This pull stems from negative influences in our environment, pressures from people or culture, internal struggles, or even Satan himself. We typically describe temptations as arising from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Although these three sources are not explicitly mentioned in a single passage, we infer them from verses like 1 John 2:16 and Ephesians 2:2-3.

We can know with complete confidence that God does not tempt us.

James 1:13-14
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

The word translated as “tempted” comes from the Greek term peirazo, which means “to act against our judgment.” While we may be tempted by the world, the flesh, or the devil, ultimately, yielding to temptation is entirely our choice. We must take responsibility for our actions and not blame others, our circumstances, or Satan. James clearly states that we are “lured and enticed by [our] own desire.”

One more thing about temptation: God will never let us be tempted beyond our ability to resist. We have this promise:

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

While temptation serves as an enticement, testing encompasses the situations or circumstances that challenge our character and faith. Through the interaction between God and Satan, we learn that God may permit Satan to test us. God showcases Job as a trophy of grace, while Satan argues that Job is akin to a kept woman. God is sovereign over all but allows Satan to execute his devious work. Therefore, we can draw this conclusion: at times, God allows testing through Satan’s actions; other times, God tests us directly. This raises an important question: Why? What is the purpose of testing?

1. Testing proves our faith.

God knows all things. He knows whether our faith is genuine or not. However, testing proves to us that we are indeed his children and that the inevitable trials of life will not lead us to abandon our faith. In the parable of the sower, Jesus illustrates that when testing arises, those who lack true faith will fall away (Matt. 13:1-23). James states, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). Do you recall Job’s response to his trials? “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong” (Job 1:22). He remained steadfast.

2. Testing develops our faith.

An athlete exercises to develop their body. Weightlifting, running, and training may be painful, but they are essential for building muscle, stamina, and the mental strength necessary to compete. The testing of our faith serves as spiritual training that deepens our faith. As James puts it,

James 1:2-4
“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.”

James says that the believer experiences “trials of various kinds.” Sometimes, trials may show up in seemingly small ways through daily frustrations. Sometimes, they come in the form of severe conditions (Isa. 48:10). We have learned from Job that there are times when God allows Satan to deliver trials (Job 2:7).

Testing develops and refines us (Ps. 66:10; 1 Pet. 1:6-7). Trials cause us to grow in our trust by what we know, not by what we see (2 Cor. 5:7).

3. Testing focuses our faith.

Testing refocuses our spiritual eyes on Jesus. It keeps us humble and dependent. The apostle Paul said that his trials (his “thorn in the flesh”) was “a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being conceited” (2 Cor. 12:7). Paul pleaded with God three times to remove his thorn. But God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Here’s Paul’s conclusion:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Testing is unpleasant and painful. Paul prayed for God to end his trials. However, God used them to keep Paul focused on him. C. S. Lewis provides this perspective on the purpose of testing: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”[1]

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Job 23:10 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. What do you learn from these passages regarding God’s purposes in your trials?

Talking to God
Ask God to use your trials to prove and develop your faith and keep you focused on him.

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as you explore God’s Word. Submit your question below, and we’ll reply soon.

[1] C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (HarperOne, 1940. Restored 1996), 91.