2 Corinthians 13:5 English Standard Version (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

How can we test ourselves on the issues of faith?

Considering that the example set before us was Abraham, the father of faith for mankind, then it begins with believing we have heard God. Hear God, believe God and obey God. This is how we test our faith. Given that God does want to have a close personal relationship with each of us, then these first tests of faith will produce noticeable results. Positive results encourage us to listen for God’s voice all the more.

As we experience positive test results the tests will get a little more complicated. We must accept that with growth in Christ there will be growing pains just as in real life. We might fail a test or two while we grow. Sometimes we say no to things that God asks of us by faith.

It took saying no to God to reveal that there is always a part of ourselves that has survival instincts and we will not see those selfish instincts without God revealing them to us by asking for things where He knows we will say no. It is a part of self-discovery. We do not begin this journey with God knowing all things. Some steps of faith are not blind obedience, they are in full awareness of the dangers involved.

Read the accounts of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14:25-33 and discover points upon which our faith walk hinges. We doubt it is Jesus. We ask Jesus to command us to do something we know we cannot do in our own strength. He grants the request and we find ourselves falling under the power of the Holy Spirit who is able to do all things in us. We realize in the flesh that God has taken over and a reverent fear of the Lord takes place.

James 1:5-7 English Standard Version

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

Doubt sounds like a faith killer but it is not. Doubt is created within the mind which is flesh and the flesh opposes the Spirit. Doubt cannot touch faith which is a providence of God who dwells in our hearts according to Ephesians 3:17.

Why we ask and how we ask has more to do with God’s answer than we might think. Asking for wisdom will help correct what we ask for and how we ask. If we look to the issue of the sea and the wind we will discover that those two forces are related to God’s will and the effects of the Holy Spirit performing God’s will.

When our will opposes God’s will, we are fighting forces beyond our control. If we would ask for God’s will in earthly matters we might have a better understanding of how we fit into God’s plan. We often come to God with our wants with no regard for His Word or His will.

God might answer “I do not care, do as you like.” In such a case we are free to make our own decision because He knows that our choices will not interfere with His will. Then again God might have a say in the matter which serves His will rather than opposing it.

We will never know if we do not seek God’s will.

Knowing God’s will does not mean we will obey Him and that is on us.