Psalms 105:19 Joseph remained a slave until his own words had come true, and the Lord had finished testing him.
Tests are measures, procedures and processes to establish the quality, performance or reliability of something or someone. No product will be available for use before it is tested and trademarked if it does not match the standards and yardsticks of a manufacturer. The protocol of “Quality Control” on products against the specifications is the most important stage of production. We understand the concept of test in the natural realm however, many struggle to comprehend the tests, trials and temptations in the spiritual realm.
Testing is the ‘character quality-control’ before promotion. We will pass the test of character when our trust in God’s compassion, benevolence and mercy remains unshakable even when things don’t go our way. The word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and in Him, when you also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). When we pass the test of trust, we will be sealed with the trademark of Godliness and Christlikeness. There is no promotion to the next spiritual growth without tests and trials. Joseph went through three tests that qualified him to power, position and the palace. We will be put through tests before we are promoted.
Three fundamental tests that every believer must go through:
1. Character: Character is the most important test. Truth of your character is expressed in the choices of your actions. True test of character is how we react to challenges, adversities and negative situations. Proverbs 24:10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. Sweet talk or sycophancy did not flatter or falter Joseph. Joseph’s choice of fidelity over disloyalty; prison over pleasure and morality over duplicity graded him with excellent character. We will pass the character test when we choose purity over pleasure.
2. Commemoration: Praise, celebration and admiration comes with a test of pride. Commemoration that is not celebrated with gratitude and humility will turn into arrogance. Pride is a pit that the proud dig for themselves. They don’t need evil doers to push them into it. They will fall into their own pit of pride and drown their talents, gifts and achievements in it. Every award comes the warning to remain humble. We will pass the pride-test when we turn our praise to the Provider of all blessings and talents.
3. Currency: The way we value, earn, spend and esteem money is the test of honesty. A person’s treatment of money is the most decisive test of his character, how they make it and how they spend it – James Moffat. We must be good stewards of money but love of money is the root of all evil. Joseph was a great economist, business analyst and financial expert without any formal training. Before he became the finance minister of Egypt, his character was tested in the pit, pothouse (Potiphar’s house) and the prison. We pass the cash, currency and money test when we prioritize God above our possession.
Girl, Gold and Glory; marriage, might and money; probity, praise and possession are tests that prove us worthy for promotion. In God’s training school, if we fail a test, we just have to keep repeating it until we pass.
Proverbs 10:9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me stop questioning about your integrity and validate my authenticity when tested. Help me to pass the spiritual test to be promoted to my next stage of growth. Amen
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