Hello Fam!
That's right, only God can ultimately test me. Nobody else. Not the devil nor demons. Sure, I'm tempted by all and especially myself, but the test is given by our Father. Everyone can claim to "judge" me, but their evaluations or grading system is still filled with error. Only God has the perfect grading scale and can evaluate me without imperfection or mistake. God is the Teacher.
Before I reference the Bible, let me provide clarity on the difference between "tested" and "tempted". A "test" is given to us with good intentions and by one who hopes we will pass (i.e. apply the knowledge taught with righteous purpose) to live a better life. A "temptation" is given to us with evil intentions, whether we realize the negative effect instantly or over a long period of time, and by one who either does not care about us or wants us to fail in our faith and obedience to God which degrades our life and living. This is why in James 1:14-15, I see that temptation can lead to death (i.e. the ultimate failure in life where there is no more room for degradation).
In 1 John 4, the Bible lets me know that even if people are used (or other animals with a spirit), I still need to understand that they are not the ones testing me but God is.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...".
In Genesis 12, God first test to Abram (i.e. Abraham) is to leave his home and go to a new place that will become his new home. In addition, God gives him a clear incentive for taking this test and passing it (by dwelling in his new land).
In Genesis 22, I see one of the greatest tests in the Bible and perhaps the greatest assigned to Abraham. God tests Abraham's faith in Him (in God himself) by asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.
In Job, I see another one of the greatest tests in the Bible. God is testing Job. Although the devil is given permission to put Job through trials and tribulations, God is the one who gave the devil this permission. Thus, God is testing Job and concludes this in the end of the Book of Job.
"And the Lord said to Satan, 'Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.' So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."
But here's where the beginning of all tests lie and is a great reminder that only our Father tests us, whether we realize it or not. And note, God is testing our faith in Him and our obedience to Him whether we are tempted or not.
In Genesis 2:16-17, there is no one around except for God and Adam. And of those two, only one gives a command which shows who the "tester" is. God commands Adam that he is free to do - anything, except to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In addition, God gives an incentive (or actually the opposite which is warning) that Adam will die if he chooses to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Think about that. I know I have and still do. And isn't it interesting that books are made from trees? (Hint: Tree of Life => Book of Life => Bible)
If I replace the tree with any other material of this world - a chair, a house, or even a person - and I disobey God by sitting in the chair, or throne, of 'the knowledge of good and evil', or I disobey God by living in a house, or place, of 'the knowledge of good and evil', or I disobey God by being with a person, or spouse, filled with 'the knowledge of good and evil', then I will die. And guess what? I did. I died. We live in a world of 'the knowledge of good and evil' ever since Adam bit the fruit from this tree. See, I already failed the ultimate test.
But praise God for giving us a second chance by another test! This comes in John 3:16-21, where all I have to do is let someone else take my test and believe in my substitute. By believing in my substitute (who dies for me to revive me), I have passed the ultimate test from God. It's kind of like failing the state standardize test, but then finding out that my school was exempted because the state heard of our positive contributions to society and how we are examples for other schools already. Yes, it feels that great! Even if I was the least to contribute from my exempted school, it still feels magnificent!
So, I conclude, there is no one who can test me like God our Father. Nobody else's tests matter. I only care about other people's tests because it is another way of God testing me.
I hope to meditate and be reminded of what James already summarized:
James 1:12-16
'Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.'
