God, Are You Testing Me?Намуна

The word peirasmos used in Matthew 6:13 is rich and layered. As we discussed yesterday, in Greek, it can mean testing (a proving of faith, character, or strength), trial, or temptation (an opportunity to do wrong). Understanding this one word unlocks what Jesus was really teaching us to pray.

When we say, “Lead us not into temptation,” we’re not accusing God of trying to make us sin. We’re asking Him to guide our hearts and strengthen us in the midst of any test we face, trusting God has given us all we need to succeed. We’re inviting Him to steer us away from the kind of moments that could destroy us and into the kind of trials that shape us.

There’s a difference between being tempted by the enemy and being tested by God. Temptation tries to pull you away from who you are. Testing, on the other hand, reveals who you truly are in Christ.

God’s tests aren’t punishments. They’re opportunities for growth.

Think about a teacher preparing a student. She gives instructions, walks alongside the class, and then one day, the test comes. During the test, the teacher is silent—not absent, but watching to see what you’ve learned. That silence can feel disorienting. But it’s in that silence that your preparation gets proven.

Maybe you’re in a test right now. It’s not because God is cruel. It’s because He’s building something lasting in you. He sees the strength He’s already placed in you. He trusts what He’s taught you. And He’s walking with you through it all, even if He seems quiet.

Reflection

Can you think of a time when a hard season revealed something stronger in you than you realized? How might your current test be shaping your faith?