HELEN SANDERS
11-24-2025
THIS IS A TEST – ONLY A TEST

When I was younger, there would be an emergency broadcasting system test that would come on the television. It would say, “This is a test, only a test” and the screen would go on and off and make an annoying sound. It was a necessary test to see if the system works.

Did you know that God has a similar system? He wants to test us to see what we have learned and if it is still working. How does he do this? He allows tests to come in our lives. If we pass the test without failing, then we move upward to the next level and a new test. If we do not pass the test, then we must take it again. We don’t advance until we pass the test.

What are we supposed to do when these tests come?

James gives us the answer. James 1:2 says, “My brethren [anyone saved whether man or woman, boy or girl] count it all joy when ye fall into divers [various] temptations [putting to proof by experiment].

Temptations also mean discipline, adversity, or provocation. Now, most of us like things that are pleasant, not adversarial or provocations. Yet, God allows these things to teach us patience and endurance.

My question today to you is this: have you passed or flunked the test? If you passed that is great news. If you flunked, that is great news also because you get to take the test over until you pass.