Moses admonished the children of Israel, in Deuteronomy 8:2, with these words: “Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”
That is the test that every one of us will have to face. Will we stand the test? That is the question we each individually must answer. We have to rely upon our experiences of history to benefit us for our present experiences and to carry us on into the future.
We need to remember the way the Lord has led us. Some of us are younger in the faith than others, but we are all going to be veterans before we get through. We will be well experienced in the things of God. Our experience is really all about growing up and maturing.
In this charge that Moses gave to the people, he said that God would humble them and prove what was in their hearts. What is in our hearts? We seriously need to consider this, because what is in our hearts will determine whether or not we will keep God’s commandments.
The Proving Process
“God will prove His people.” Maranatha, 43. How will He do that? “God will test us and prove us by placing us in positions to develop the most enduring strength, purity, and nobility of soul, with perfect patience on our part, and entire trust in a crucified Saviour. We shall meet with reverses, affliction, and severe trials; for these are God’s tests. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and purge his people as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Review and Herald, April 15, 1875.
“The Lord has placed every human being on test and trial. He desires to prove and to try us, to see if we will be good and do good in this life, to see if he can trust us with eternal riches, and make us members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.” My Life Today, 54.
“Let us remember that we are living in review before God, that we shall have tests to bear, and that our faith in God is to be so cultivated that we can reach up to heaven in full confidence for sanctification of body, soul, and spirit.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, 317.
“It is coming in contact with difficulties that will give you spiritual muscle and sinew. You will become strong in Christ if you endure the testing process, and the proving of God. But if you find fault with your situation, and with everybody around you, you will only grow weaker. I [Ellen White] have seen people who were always finding fault with everything and everybody around them, but the fault was in themselves. They had need to fall upon the Rock and be broken. They felt whole in their own self-righteousness. The trials that come upon us, come to prove us. The enemy of our souls is working against us continually, but our defects of character will be made manifest to us, and when they are made plain, instead of finding fault with others, let us say, ‘I will arise and go to my Father.’ [Luke 15:18.]” Review and Herald., August 6, 1889.
What are some ways that God proves us?
“Christ gives the test by which to prove our loyalty or disloyalty. ‘If ye love Me,’ He says, ‘keep My commandments. . . . He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me. And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. . . . He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings; and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.’ ‘If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.’ John 14:15–24; 15:10.” Ibid., June 23, 1910.
“The very test that was brought upon Adam in Eden will be applied to every member of the human family. We stand as Adam did, with opportunity for a second trial, to prove our allegiance to the Government of God.” The Signs of the Times, November 24, 1887.
“A saint in heaven is just what he is in his own family at home. If he is a Christian at home he is a Christian in the church. He will be a good Christian in heaven. Now, God has placed us on trial here. How is it with you? Are you going to stand the test? He will bring circumstances around you to prove you and see whether there is any defilement of character in you. If there is any debasement, if there is any carnality, if there is any satanic tendency, He will bring you over the ground in one way, and then He will bring you over the ground in another way, and then He will test you upon one point, and then He will test you upon another. We are here to be tested and proved.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 186.
“He [God] tests the love of His professed followers by committing to their tender mercies the afflicted and bereaved ones, the poor and the orphan.” Review and Herald, June 27, 1893.
“The sanctifying power of truth is to abide in the soul, and be carried with us to our business, there to apply its continual tests to every transaction of life, especially to our dealings with our fellow-men.” Ibid., April 14, 1885.
“The Lord has placed every human being on test and trial. He desires to prove and to try us, to see if we will be good and do good in this life, to see if he can trust us with eternal riches, and make us members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.” My Life Today, 54.
The proving that we are experiencing is the various issues that we encounter along life’s highway. Will we all be proved in the same way? Probably not in all things—we may have some similar tests, but our tests will not be identical. God does not prove us corporately; He proves us individually.
Temptations are Tests
Satan places temptations before us that will test and prove us.
“Satan is constantly presenting inducements to God’s chosen people to attract their minds from the solemn work of preparation for the scenes just in the future. He is in every sense of the word a deceiver, a skillful charmer. He clothes his plans and snares with coverings of light borrowed from heaven. He tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit by making her believe that she would be greatly advantaged thereby. Satan leads his agents to introduce various inventions and patent rights and other enterprises, that Sabbathkeeping Adventists who are in haste to be rich may fall into temptation, become ensnared, and pierce themselves through with many sorrows. He is wide awake, busily engaged in leading the world captive, and through the agency of worldlings he keeps up a continual pleasing excitement to draw the unwary who profess to believe the truth to unite with worldlings. The lust of the eye, the desire for excitement and pleasing entertainment, is a temptation and snare to God’s people. Satan has many finely woven, dangerous nets which are made to appear innocent, but with which he is skillfully preparing to infatuate God’s people. There are pleasing shows, entertainments, phrenological lectures, and an endless variety of enterprises constantly arising calculated to lead the people of God to love the world and the things that are in the world. Through this union with the world, faith becomes weakened, and means which should be invested in the cause of present truth are transferred to the enemy’s ranks. Through these different channels Satan is skillfully draining the purses of God’s people, and for it the displeasure of the Lord is upon them.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 550, 551.
Character Development Takes Time
“If the message [the 1844 proclamation] had been of as short duration as many of us supposed, there would have been no time for them to develop character.” Maranatha, 43.
Most of us can put up with anything for a short period of time. It is when trials and testing go on for days and days and days that the true character is revealed.
“The rejecters of [God’s] mercy reap that which they have sown. . . . God gives them existence for a time that they may develop their character and reveal their principles. This accomplished, they receive the results of their own choice. By a life of rebellion, Satan and all who unite with him place themselves so out of harmony with God that His very presence is to them a consuming fire. The glory of Him who is love will destroy them.” The Desire of Ages, 764. [Emphasis supplied.]
“It will take time to develop the true missionary spirit, . . . and develop well-balanced characters.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 324.
“The Lord bears long with his erring people. The truth will be brought to bear closer and closer, and will cut off one idol after another, until God reigns supreme in the hearts of his consecrated people. . . . Give the people of God time to develop character.” Gospel Workers (1892), 269.
Proving and Character Development
How does the proving process relate to the development of character?
“The proving time has come, and angels are watching the development of character. How many, since they have professed Christ, have changed for the better? My brother, my sister, are you becoming more and more like Jesus, who is pure, holy, undefiled? Can your associates see in you the likeness of Christ? Can they see that you maintain in your dress, in your conversation, your daily life, the simplicity of your Master?” Review and Herald, December 29, 1896.
“Angels are watching the development of character, and are weighing moral worth. They are bidden to place a mark upon those who are loyal to God’s commandments; such will have special help from God to endure the test and proving of the time of trouble.” Historical Sketches, 196.
Matter of Habit
Character is a result of habits, and habits are the result of doing something over and over again. The proving actually forces us to develop habits one way or the other.
“Actions repeated form habits, habits form character, and by the character our destiny for time and for eternity is decided.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 356.
“Any one act, either good or evil, does not form the character; but thoughts and feelings indulged prepare the way for acts and deeds of the same kind.
“It is . . . by a repetition of acts that habits are established and character confirmed.” Child Guidance, 199.
“Once formed, habits become more and more firmly impressed upon the character. The intellect is continually receiving its mold from opportunities and advantages, ill or well improved. Day by day we form characters which place . . . [us] as well-disciplined soldiers under the banner of Prince Emmanuel, or rebels under the banner of the prince of darkness. Which shall it be?” Ibid., 200.
“Those who form habits that weaken the nerve power and lessen the vigor of mind or body, make themselves inefficient for the work God has given them to do. On the other hand, a pure, healthy life is most favorable for the perfection of Christian character and for the development of the powers of mind and body.” Counsels on Health, 41.
“If we would develop a character which God can accept, we must form correct habits in our religious life. Daily prayer is as essential to growth in grace, and even to spiritual life itself, as is temporal food to physical well-being. We should accustom ourselves to often lift the thoughts to God in prayer. If the mind wanders, we must bring it back; by persevering effort, habit will finally make it easy. We cannot for one moment separate ourselves from Christ with safety. We may have His presence to attend us at every step, but only by observing the conditions which He has Himself laid down.” Review and Herald, May 3, 1881.
Moved From Feeling
“Many moved from feeling, not from principle and faith.” Maranatha, 43. Can we develop character by moving from feeling? Ellen White tells us that “thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 310. She also counsels that our “thoughts must be brought into subjection to the will of God, and [our] feelings under the control of reason and religion.” Ibid.
We also read that, “God’s children are not to be subject to feelings and emotions. When they fluctuate between hope and fear, the heart of Christ is hurt; for He has given them unmistakable evidence of His love. . . . He wants them to do the work He has given them; then their hearts will become in His hands as sacred harps, every chord of which will send forth praise and thanksgiving to the One sent by God to take away the sins of the world.” Messages to Young People, 110.
How do our feelings work in the development of our characters?
“There are obligations which bring us into conflict with natural feelings and propensities, and in fulfilling these obligations, we gain victory over every objectionable feature of our character. The warfare goes on, and thus we grow in grace. Thus our character is developed in the likeness of Christ, and we are prepared for a place among the blessed in the kingdom of God.” Review and Herald, June 27, 1893.
We are to have Christ’s character perfectly reproduced in us before His Second Coming. That means we need to learn to think and feel about things as He does. We need to constantly bring our feelings and thoughts into harmony with His. By beholding His, ours are to become changed like His.
Hurt Feelings
Is it Christian to have hurt feelings? Can we develop character if our feelings are bruised all the time?
“We cannot pass along without sometimes having our feelings hurt and our temper tried, but as Christians we must be just as patient, forbearing, humble, and meek as we desire others to be.” Our High Calling, 237.
Feelings are not necessarily sinful—it is what we do with the feelings. We can feel hurt, that is only human, but what we do with the hurt is going to develop our character one way or the other. We are told that if we love the law, nothing shall offend us (Psalm 119:165). We have to be the ruler or the guard of our feelings in such a way that we do not become offended. Our Example suffered disappointment, but He was not offended.
“Jesus was sinless and had no dread of the consequences of sin. With this exception His condition was as yours. You have not a difficulty that did not press with equal weight upon Him, not a sorrow that His heart has not experienced. His feelings could be hurt with neglect, with indifference of professed friends, as easily as yours. Is your path thorny? Christ’s was so in a tenfold sense. Are you distressed? So was He. How well fitted was Christ to be an example!” Our High Calling, 59.
In our preparation to stand for the end, we need to deal with these feelings. We need to make sure that we have processed them in the right way and that we do not become offended because our feelings have become hurt. We can channel our feelings down the road of disappointment and overcome that disappointment, but we need to make sure that we are not offended.
“Sister F has had a spirit of retaliation, manifesting by her deportment that she was offended. This was all wrong. She has cherished bitter feelings, which are foreign to the spirit of Christ. Anger, resentment, and all kinds of unkind tempers are indulged by speaking against those with whom we are displeased, and by reciting the errors and failings and sins of neighbors. The lustful desires are gratified.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 51.
Fears of . . .
“Many moved from feeling, not from principle and faith, and this solemn, fearful message stirred them. It wrought upon their feelings, and excited their fears, but did not accomplish the work which God designed that it should.” Maranatha, 43.
Of what were the people, spoken of here, fearful—going to hell? Is fear of going to hell, as a motivation to do the right thing, wrong? Many churches, in their services, pour out the fire and brimstone and scare people to the altar. Is that a viable method of getting them to the point of salvation?
“If the love of God will not induce the rebel to yield, the terrors of an eternal hell will not drive him to repentance. Besides it does not seem a proper way to win souls to Jesus, by appealing to one of the lowest attributes of the mind, abject fear. The love of Jesus attracts, it will subdue the hardest heart.” The Signs of the Times, March 9, 1876.
It is never wrong to do the right thing, but the Lord weighs our motives. If we are going to do the right thing just for a fire escape to keep from going to hell, then it is not accounted, because love for our Lord should be the motivating point and not fear.
“It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour’s matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary’s cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him.” The Desire of Ages, 480.
Our Hearts
“God leads His people on, step by step. He brings them up to different points calculated to manifest what is in the heart. Some endure at one point, but fall off at the next. At every advanced point the heart is tested and tried a little closer.” Maranatha, 43.
Why is the heart mentioned so many times here? What is it that God is trying in the heart?
God desires to write His law upon our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), but our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). He has also told us that our hearts are stony (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26), and to fulfill His purpose of writing His commandments upon these stony hearts, He has to bring us to one test after another to soften our hearts.
“God orders our surroundings, and he will place us where we shall have test after test, to prove us and to reveal what is in our hearts. Again and again we shall be brought into strait places, that it may be known whether we are indeed crucified with Christ or full of self-love. How will this proving, testing process end with each of us?” Review and Herald, June 3, 1884.
“Be not discouraged because your heart seems hard. Every obstacle, every internal foe, only increases your need of Christ. He came to take away the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh. Look to Him for special grace to overcome your peculiar faults.” Messages to Young People, 112.
“God proves His people in this world. This is the fitting-up place to appear in His presence. Here, in this world, in these last days, persons will show what power affects their hearts and controls their actions. If it is the power of divine truth, it will lead to good works. It will elevate the receiver, and make him noble-hearted and generous, like his divine Lord. But if evil angels control the heart, it will be seen in various ways. The fruit will be selfishness, covetousness, pride, and evil passions.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 188.
“In requiring obedience to the laws of His kingdom, God gives His people health and happiness, peace and joy. He teaches them that the perfection of character He requires can be attained only by becoming familiar with His word.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 454.
Ultimately
Ultimately, then, we can develop the habits necessary for the building of good character. That is a process of choosing to do what God wants us to do, knowing what Christ would do, and realizing that regardless of what is done to us, we will always choose to do what is right. That is the purpose of God’s testing and proving of us now.
“Let the human agent compare his life with the life of Christ. . . . Those who follow Christ will be continually looking into the perfect law of liberty, and through the grace given them by Christ, will fashion the character according to the divine requirements.” Sons and Daughters of God, 137.
“Everything must be viewed in the light of the example of Christ. He is the truth. He is the true Light that lighteth every man who cometh into the world. Listen to His words, copy His example in self-denial and self-sacrifice, and look to the merits of Christ for the glory in character which He possesses to be bestowed on you. Those who follow Christ live not to please themselves. Human standards are like feeble reeds. The Lord’s standard is perfection of character.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 419, 420.
Remember, “Young and old, God is now testing you. You are deciding your own eternal destiny.” Maranatha, 43.
But, “Through trials and persecution, the glory—character—of God is revealed in His chosen ones.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 31.
And, “Those who follow Christ will overcome temptation and will receive the glorious reward of eternal life. And to Christ they will render all the praise and glory.” Counsels on Health, 590.