Lesson 10: The Refining of Faith

“I grow spiritually as my faith endures trials.”

To see how seven types of trials test and increase our faith.

► Has anyone had any hard times lately?

► Do you ever wonder why hard times come?

We all have some hard times, and there will be a few times in your life when you will go through some extremely hard circumstances.

An explanation of why hard times are valuable is given in 1 Peter 1:6-7.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Gold goes through an intense process of refining because of its value. Coal is weighed by the ton; gold is weighed by the ounce or gram.

Faith is even more valuable and is, therefore, worth refining.

► What is faith?

Sometimes people quote Hebrews 11:1 as a definition of faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

There may be various kinds of faith. But, there is one kind that is basic to all others, and it is necessary for our relationship with God.

A verse a little farther in Hebrews 11 gives another definition of faith:

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

The most basic faith is to believe that God responds to those who seek him in the right way. It is to believe that God’s reward is attainable and worth more than anything else.

This faith is tested during trials. During trials, we are tempted to doubt that God will really give what is best for us. We are tempted to think that some action outside of God’s will is what we need to do.

Disobeying is the opposite of diligently seeking God’s blessing because of faith. A person decides to disobey God because of a lack of faith. When a person has a bad attitude against God, that is also a lack of faith because it is distrusting God.

Every trial is a trial of faith. It is a temptation to give up your faith and do a wrong action or accept a wrong attitude instead of trusting God. Faith is the victory over every trial, because by faith we trust God and keep seeking his will by prayer and obedience.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:4).

The direction of the world is against God. The world tries to make things look different from reality, to make wrong look normal. By faith, we remember that God is the rewarder of those who seek him diligently. So, every trial is a trial of faith; faith is the victory over every trial.

Trials of faith destroy us if we give up our faith, but they benefit us if our faith endures. Our faith increases and becomes more powerful by surviving trials. That is one reason God allows trials to come to us. They allow a process that we need.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).

Trials of faith develop patience. Patience doesn’t just mean willingness to wait. To have patience means to endure by faith. James said further on, “You have heard of the steadfastness of Job” (James 5:11). Job was confused about some things, but he held on to his faith in God in spite of terrible tragedies and circumstances (Job 2:9-10, 42:7).

Patience brings all other Christian qualities. Enduring by faith completes us and equips us spiritually. If a person keeps giving in to unbelief, he will not grow in faith. Not only will he not increase in patience, he will not increase in love, honesty, self-control, and most other Christian qualities. It is by the work of patience, enduring by faith, that a believer becomes complete, lacking in nothing.

Trials could be divided into at least seven categories.

1. Difficult circumstances. The trial of faith is the temptation to

• Yield to frustration or anger, accepting a wrong attitude

• Act rashly to change circumstances

• Disobey God to fix the problem your way

2. Injustice and mistreatment. The trial of faith is the temptation to

• Treat others wrongly because they did wrong

• Be unwilling to wait for God to execute his justice

• Refuse to forgive and love as Christ did

3. Physical affliction. Faith may seem lifeless; zeal may be weak. The trial of faith is the temptation to

• Yield to depression

• Seek happiness or entertainment outside of God’s will

4. Tragedy. Tragedies are the terrible events that may seem to destroy us. The trial of faith is the temptation to

• Doubt God’s love and goodness

• Doubt that God is in control

5. Confusion. The trial of faith is the temptation to yield to your own understanding against the known will of God.

6. Persecution. Persecution is a time when it seems that earthly, evil powers are in control. The trial of faith is the temptation to yield to avoid suffering.

7. Temptation to sin. Temptation to sin is a time when something the world offers appears to be better than spiritual joy and eternal reward. The trial of faith is the temptation to yield to sin’s attraction.

Each of these brings the temptation to doubt that following God’s will, seeking God’s reward, is the best way. That’s why it is a trial of faith. If a Christian keeps obedient faith in God no matter what happens, his faith will grow stronger as it is proved to be right.

God knows our limits. When a person decides to give up, it’s not because what he has been through was really too much, but because he thinks he cannot endure what is coming. That’s why a person says, “I can’t take any more,” or “I can’t go any farther.” He gives up in order to escape something he thinks is coming. If we trust God’s knowledge of our capacity and his enabling grace, we can face whatever comes, knowing that God will give us victory.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The same kind of trial may happen to you many times. Therefore, yielding temporarily does not get you past it. We tend to think of some trials as unique, never to happen again. Really no trial is unique, and it will come again in a different way. A failure of faith weakens you and makes you likely to fail again. Conquering a trial will strengthen you for the next trial.

Ask some to share about a trial they have had recently and what its result was. Ask them to explain how it was actually a trial of faith. Some may like to share about a trial of faith they are facing now. After they have shared, ask:

► What do you need to remember so that you can endure this trial with faith?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for always being with me, helping in every trial. Help my faith to be strong. Help me remember that hard times are a challenge of faith, and that my faith must endure.

I want to keep trusting you no matter what happens. I will show my trust by obeying you all the time.

Thank you for the development of faith that happens as you take me victoriously through trials.

Amen

Study James 5:7-11. Notice the reasons that are given for us to endure in faith. The prophets are mentioned as examples. What people have you known who endured hardship by faith? What if they had not?