The Mind
"I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10
Last week we looked at Abraham, Philip and the Israelite children. In Abraham’s case God tested actions. In Philip’s case He tested his response through words. With the Israelites God tested both their obedience in action as well as their response in love. Now, let’s move to us for a moment. In Jeremiah God is testing our mind, our thoughts. Before we can ever be obedient in action our mind has to first line up with God’s word.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:15
We must test our thoughts to make sure they line up with God’s word. If they do not we are called to take those particular thoughts captive, to lock them up and throw away the key. We must make our thoughts obedient to Christ, knowing that he will test our minds.
Our Hearts
“On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4
1 Thessalonians Paul says, God tests our hearts. Obedience first starts in the mind, then settles in the heart before it turns into action. “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34) In other words, God will test our hearts to see if what we have stored up inside will come out as a blessing or not.
“For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” Psalm 66:10
I love this test, "refined us like silver". Silver is only refined (made pure) one way and that is through the fire. Each time through the fire the impurities float to the top and that layer gets scraped off. Each time through the fire (the testing) we are losing our impurities and keeping the pure heart that God has given us. Our fires are not meant for harm, but for good. They are meant to show us the sin we need to purge so the righteousness can shine.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
Peter reminds first off, that we should not be surprised when we go through the fire and are tested. This is going to happen. It is part of God’s refining in your life. Peter also instructs us to rejoice when those testings come by doing so we are taking part in Christ’s walk to Calvary. We are picking up our cross of the testing just as Christ has picked up the cross of His testing.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
Like Peter, James also reminds us to consider our trials and testing joy, but James uses a stronger language here. He says, consider it pure joy. James also goes on to tell us why we can have the ability to consider or testings pure joy. Our testings produce perseverance and when we persevere through the entire test we will be made mature and complete, not lacking anything! How exciting is that! To be able to look back on all of the trials and testings in our lifetime and say that we are now mature and complete, not lacking anything. What an amazing perspective.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Knowing what we have just seen from Paul and James, this is how we can see God working all things together for our good. The trials and testings are not fun, they are not pretty and sometimes we would even say they are not fair, but what are we learning as we are walking? If we look at the chaos of everything happening around us we will inevitably become discouraged. However, if we take our eyes off the chaos and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), we will be able to say that our faith has been made mature and complete, not lacking a single solitary thing (James 1:2-4)! Now that is pure joy!
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you test us in our hearts and minds so that we can come out refined like pure silver. Help us to remember that in the midst of our trials you are forming us into your likeness, making us mature and complete not lacking anything! Thank you for working all things together for our good, because you love us. We know that our trials, while painful at the moment, will bring pure joy if we allow you to teach and mold us to become more like you. Continue to have your way in our lives and help us to find the joy in the midst of the testing. We pray this in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
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