Test everything. Hold on to the good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV)

You would be hard pressed to find a verse that American Christians do a worse job of applying that the one above.  This results in part from living in a culture that tells us we don’t have the right to judge anyone or anything, unless that person or thing isn’t tolerant, then you can judge it all you want!

Past that we don’t like to test because it isn’t nice. And if there one word to describe Christian Culture in America today, that word would be nice! In passing allow me to note it’s not a word found much in the Bible.

Moving on…

The New Testament has quite a bit to say about testing. Let’s take a quick and incomplete survey.

According to Scripture we test to see if we’re saved – 2 Cor. 13: 5-6 and to see if we’re right with God – 1 Cor. 11:28.

When Christians do this they usually get it wrong. Why? Because the Bible is also clear that our testing is not to done in comparison to others. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Galatians 6:3-5 (NIV)

Since we live in such a self-centered society we generally do compare ourselves with others. Of course that is a deadly trap. Paul wisely counsels us to test ourselves according to the timeless standard of the Word of God instead.

The final thing that sets Biblical testing apart from what we normally hear about is that it is God Who should do the testing!

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; Psalm 26:2 (NIV)

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)

After all, Who but God alone truly knows our hearts and minds? He alone knows us, and also knows what we really need in our lives. So according to the Bible it’s to Him that we turn for an accurate picture of ourselves.

That picture can be pretty ugly sometimes. But it’s far better to know what it is, than to live in abysmal ignorance of our true spiritual state.

So instead of trying to avoid the tests of life, why not be different – and Biblical – and invite God to test you today?

Just remember, if you don’t like your test results, don’t say I didn’t warn you!