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What does the Bible say about testing god?

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The Bible forbids putting God to the test in unbelief or demanding that he prove himself, while inviting believers to trust and obey his revealed word. Deuteronomy 6:16 and Jesus in Matthew 4:5-7 reject presumptuous attempts to force God’s hand. James 1:13 teaches that God does not tempt anyone to evil, though he may test and refine his people’s faith. Malachi 3:10 is a particular covenant call to Israel concerning faithful giving, not a general license to bargain with God. Believers are instead to test teachings and spirits by Scripture, as 1 John 4:1 says, and to discern God’s will through renewed minds, according to Romans 12:2.

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  • Malachi 3:10

    Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of hosts, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for.

  • Deuteronomy 6:16

    You shall not tempt Yahweh your God, as you tempted him in Massah.

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

  • Matthew 4:5-7

    [5] Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, [6] and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge concerning you.' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, So that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'" [7] Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"

  • Romans 12:2

    Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

  • Matthew 4:7

    Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"

  • Isaiah 7:12

    But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh."

  • James 1:13

    Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

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