“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him,

‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you

love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a

burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’

“Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt

offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the

third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.”

“He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and

then we will come back to you.’ Abraham took the wood for the burnt

offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried

the fire and the knife.”

“As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes,

my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘The fire and wood are here,’ Isaac said, ‘but

where is the lamb for the burnt offering?’ Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two

of them went on together.”

“When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to

slay his son.”

“But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven,

‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. ‘Do not lay a

hand on the boy,’ he said. ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your

son, your only son.’”

“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The

LORD Will Provide.’ And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the

LORD it will be provided.’”(Gen 22:1-14 NIV)

3 Traits of Spiritual Tests1. Demanding

“Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice

him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell

you about.” (Gen. 22:2)

3 Traits of Spiritual Tests2. Meaningful

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the

testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking

anything.” (James 1:2-4)

3 Traits of Spiritual Tests2. Meaningful

“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 NIV)

3 Traits of Spiritual Tests3. Passable

“…God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you

can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a

way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

3 Types of Spiritual Tests1. Cause-and-Effect Test

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will

reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit

will reap eternal life.” (Gal 6:7-8)

3 Types of Spiritual Tests2. Christian Faith Test

“Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his

master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also…”

(John 15:20)

3 Types of Spiritual Tests2. Christian Faith Test

“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,

but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:16)

3 Types of Spiritual Tests3. Mystery Test

“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.

This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” (Job 1:1 NIV)

3 Benefits of Spiritual Tests1. Consistent Trust

“Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him

about.” (Gen. 22:3 NIV)

3 Benefits of Spiritual Tests2. Unwavering Obedience

“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it

was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God's friend. You see

that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”

(James 2:23-24 NIV)

3 Benefits of Spiritual Tests3. A Mature Faith

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all

wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”

(Col. 2:28 NIV)

3 Benefits of Spiritual Tests3. A Mature Faith

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

3 Steps for Passing Spiritual Tests1. Apply the Truth

3 Steps for Passing Spiritual Tests2. Become Accountable

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

(Prov. 27:17 NIV)

3 Steps for Passing Spiritual Tests3. Invite God’s Help

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help

those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18 NIV)