Day Forty-six

“Do not test the Lord your God.” (Deut. 6:16)

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:10–19; Luke 4:9–12

In both the Old and New Testaments, Scripture firmly warns us not to put God to the test. We may be unknowingly offending the heart of God because we do not understand the meaning of the commandment. The meaning of the word test, regarding our actions toward God, is similar in both Testaments.

The Greek word used in the New Testament is ekpeirazo. It means “refusing to believe Him or His Word until He has manifested His power.”12 Faith is the opposite of putting God to a test. The essence of faith is believing God prior to “proof.” Testing is demanding proof or a manifestation of the Spirit prior to belief.

Not coincidentally, each time Scripture forbids testing God, the commandment is directed toward His own people. Do you see why God is so offended by being tested? He has proven Himself faithful. If we’ve known Him long, who among us could claim God has not faithfully revealed Himself in many ways? So when we ask Him to keep proving what He has already revealed, we both test and insult Him.

God our Father is a giver by nature. He grants us full permission to make our petitions known, but He also asks that we check our motives (James 4:3). If our motive is to see proof, according to Scripture we’re testing God.

Our attempts to test God take many forms, but let me cite one fairly common example from people who would never knowingly offend God. A precious believer said to me recently, “Beth, I really want to receive the gift of tongues, and I wonder how you feel about it.”

I responded that in matters of God and His Word, opinions mean absolutely nothing—but I did pose a question. “Why do you desire this particular gift?”

I could tell she was truly thinking about the question. I sensed the direct leadership of the Holy Spirit to continue. “Is it because you feel this gift would help you to more effectively edify the body of Christ, or is there any possibility you want a physical manifestation of the Spirit for further proof God exists and has chosen you?”

The question applies to many other situations as well. Have you ever asked God to act, not for His glory but to settle your doubts? Think of some possible examples.

As we grow in Christ, let’s not only be more cautious about the things we ask but also about our motives. Do we ask for a miracle to increase our ability to bring God glory, or do we want proof He exists and loves us? Food for thought.

Today let’s thank Him for the many ways He has proven Himself in our lives apart from our demands. Let’s ask Him to make us people who do not put Him to the test.

Great is His faithfulness!