# test #

## Definition: ##

The term "test" refers to a difficult or painful experience that reveals a person's strengths and weaknesses. 

* God tests people, but he does not tempt them. Satan, however, tempts people to sin.
* God sometimes uses tests to expose people's sin. A test helps a person to turn away from sin and to draw closer to God.
* Gold and other metals are tested with fire to find out how pure and strong they are. This is a picture of how God uses painful circumstances to test his people.
* To "put to the test" can mean, "challenge something or someone to prove its value." 
* In the context of putting God to the test, it means to keep disobeying him, taking advantage of his mercy.
* Jesus told Satan that it is wrong to put God to the test. He is the almighty, holy God who is above everything and everyone.

## Translation Suggestions: ##

* The term "to test" could also be translated as, "to challenge" or "to cause to experience difficulties" or "to prove."
* Ways to translate "a test" could be, "a challenge" or "a difficult experience."
* To "put to the test" could be translated as "to test" or "to set up a challenge" or "to force to prove oneself."
* In the context of testing God, this could be translated as, "trying to force God to prove his love."
* In some contexts, the term "test" can mean "tempt."

(See also: [tempt](../kt/tempt.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [1 John 04:1-3](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/1jn/04/01)
* [1 Thessalonians 05:19-22](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/1th/05/19)
* [Acts 15:10-11](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/act/15/10)
* [Genesis 22:1-3](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/gen/22/01)
* [Isaiah 07:13-15](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/isa/07/13)
* [James 01:12-13](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/jas/01/12)
* [Lamentations 03:40-43](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/lam/03/40)
* [Malachi 03:10-12](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/mal/03/10)
* [Philippians 01:9-11](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/php/01/09)
* [Psalm 026:1-3](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/psa/026/001)