madam/sister, remember?
a) Testing is how a not-yet-believer-with-a-relationship comes to see how the truth does indeed bear up under scrutiny.

b) When i said i test as a believer, i try not to test or tempt God, but test the teachings of humans (mine included) in the true spirit/filter of His teachings. I'm the first to admit I have much to learn.

c) "Ye shall not tempt (test) the Lord thy God."
When a person comes to believe they see where they HAVE tested God (for example: a former liar who realizes he was wrong and now has God's forgiveness for having requested it would be testing God if AS A BELIEVER he continues lying, as if to say 'what i do doesn't matter for i am forgiven'. Those who merely use a few words of 'forgive me' to God without a true wish to change themselves merely abuse the grace that is extended while we breathe).

d) we are none of us perfect, sometimes falling back into old habits or slipups, but a wise person will see where their weakness(es) are and either avoid allowing themselves to be put in such situations or recognize the vulnerability if they're trapped and will stay silent/refuse to act as they did before when they didn't believe.

• taking advice from believers....... - jisbond - December 24, 2000 - 06:07 UTC
  • part of the truth - gwynj - December 24, 2000 - 19:29 UTC