Beth-El Baptist Church

12/02/2007

Greg Tomlinson


What is the difference between testing and tempting God?


The scriptures specifically state in Deuteronomy 6:16 “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God ...” and yet a common statement from Christians is that we ought to test God regarding some decision or activity. It is important for us to evaluate the testing and tempting of God that occurs in the scripture to see if there is any discernible difference and to gain an insight into what we should and should not be doing as a Christian in this regard.


  1. What do the words for testing and tempting actually mean?

Using the King James Version of the Bible, there is no word that is translated to any form of test or testing so there is little to go by there.


Genesis 22:1


One Hebrew word that is translated 'tempt' is 'nacah' and it means to test, try, prove, put to the proof or test. It is a word that indicates a desire to evaluate someone or something. To tempt God then is to test His value or His character. It can have positive and negative connotations.


Malachi 3:13-15


The other Hebrew word that is translated 'tempt' is 'bachan' which means to examine, try or prove. This would have a fairly similar use as 'nacah'.


Matthew 4:1-7


In the Greek, the words translated as 'tempt' comes from 'peirazo' which means to try whether a thing can be done, to attempt, to endeavor. It again is a form of experimentation to determine the nature and value of something.


  1. When can it be a positive thing to test or tempt God?

Judges 6:13-18, 36-40 Daniel 3:15-18; 6:10-17

John 3:11-12 1 John 4:1

Malachi 3:7-12 Romans 12:1-2

2 Corinthians 13:5


There are several ways in which we are essentially commanded to test God. One of these ways is to seek wisdom from God on which way to go and what to do. Gideon sought an answer from God and he did it by placing some tests before God to gain understanding in what God wanted him to do. Jesus asks us to test him. Specifically he asks us to evaluate what he has said about the earthly things to see if they match reality. If they match the earthly, then we are to trust him for the heavenly or eternal things that cannot be tested like the earthly. We are specifically asked to 'try the spirits'. This means to verify what we have heard, what we believe, and what we feel with the very words of God to see if they match or not. This can be seen in trusting the word of God over experience and feelings.

The most important positive about testing God is to trust him. He has called us trust him even when all of our human senses do not make sense of it. Trusting God with our salvation, our eternal state, our daily decisions is a way of testing God to see that he does and will keep his word even as he has told us.


  1. When can it be a negative thing to test or tempt God?

Exodus 17:1-7 Matthew 4:1-7; 22:16-21

Acts 5:1-10; 15:8-11 1 Corinthians 10:9-10 cmp Numbers 21:4-9

Luke 9:51-56


The negative side of testing God comes in several ways. When the testing is associated with doubting God Himself and His ability to provide or to keep his Word, then we are doubting God and tempting him in a negative fashion. We can also negatively tempt God by trying to force God into a corner where it would seem that we are leaving God with no choice in how to act or to box him in to do what is wrong because all known possibilities would result in some sort of sin. Then there is the tempting of God which claims to be seeking to honor God by putting oneself in a dangerous or stupid predicament in order to “show off” God and His power.


  1. When can it be a negative thing NOT to test or tempt God?

Isaiah 7:10-13 cmp 2 Kings 20:8-11 cmp 2 Samuel 24:10-14


It can be a very negative thing to NOT test God when God has specifically asked us to make a decision and we refuse to make it so that we do not tempt God. If God asks for your input, he desires it. Sometimes when asked for input, it is wise to throw yourself on the mercy of God and seek for him to be merciful in his judgment.


Summary:


From a linguistic point of view, there is no difference between testing and tempting God. The concept of testing God can be done for good in order to bring honor to God by trusting in him. It can be a negative application when it is based upon pride or showiness. It is important to test God to verify his desire for a particular decision since you are seeking His will and not your own.