Examine, judge, assay, test

3985 peirazō pi-rad’-zo

1) to try whether a thing can be done to attempt, endeavour

2) to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself in a good sense

3985 peirazō pi-rad’-zo

b) in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily
c) to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin
to solicit to sin, to tempt; the temptations of the devil

Translated: tempted, tempt, tried, assayed, examine, test

Five categories of whom you need to be aware as they are examining you

1. Satan

We can throw in his demons too

All the time!

Job 1:7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” [knowing good and well] So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Job 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man [a righteous man], one who fears God and shuns evil?”
Job 1:9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
Job 1:10 Have You not made a hedge around him [I can just imagine Satan thinking he is conning God], around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands [remember the correlation that we went through last week in the beginning of Deuteronomy 28; it is showing that here how Job followed God’s ways and subsequently how blessed the work of his hands], and his possessions have increased in the land.
Job 1:11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” [Don’t get me wrong, Satan is really clever, but he was outmatched from the beginning]

Matthew 4:3 Now when the tempter [same Greek word as Examine in 2Cor 13:5] came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

1 Thesselonians 3:5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter [Examine] had tempted [Examine] you, and our labor might be in vain.

Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Luke 22:33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”

Luke 22:34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”

Grain is agitated and/or shaken in a kind of sieve.

Example of sifting out metal with undesirables in it

Can you imagine Satan with the sieve

Ephesians 4:26 “BE ANGRY, AND DO NOT SIN”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
Ephesians 4:27 nor give place to the devil.

2. People in the World

We know this!

Politics today (those with/without moral values)

It was no different in time of Jesus Christ

Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.
Matthew 22:16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.
Matthew 22:17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Matthew 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
Matthew 22:19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius.
Matthew 22:20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
Matthew 22:21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Matthew 22:22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

Tempting hoping we will fail

3. God

Amos 9:8 “Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, And I will destroy it from the face of the earth; Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” Says the LORD.
Amos 9:9 “For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:
Hebrews 11:33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Hebrews 11:34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
Hebrews 11:36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted [Examine], were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Hebrews 11:38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,
Hebrews 11:40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Who God is judging

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

Like a parent and child relationship

Why do we do it? Examples of pitfalls the child is unaware of.

Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Notice how he does it

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation [form of Examine] has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted [Examine] beyond what you are able, but with the temptation [form of Examine] will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Unlike Satan

4. People in the Church

We Are to Judge and to Judge Rightly

1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?
1 Corinthians 5:13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “PUT AWAY FROM YOURSELVES THE EVIL PERSON.”

1 Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
1 Corinthians 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge[G2922] the smallest matters?
1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
1 Corinthians 6:4 If then you have judgments [G2922] concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?

G2922– kritērion: a standard on which a judgment or decision may be based; set of rules

1 Corinthians 6:5 I say this to your shame. It is so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?
1 Corinthians 6:6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!
1 Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

Caveats: within purview; choose your battles carefully and wisely; don’t condemn

But we ARE to judge righteously

It is a Way of Showing Love

James 5:19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
James 5:20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

This is a part of loving the brethren.

5. We, You and Me

WHY Examine Ourselves

So the others do not have to

In order to take the Passover worthily

1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Change so that God doesn’t have to really get our attention

1 Corinthians 11:27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine [Test/Prove] himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
1 Corinthians 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
1 Corinthians 11:30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

WE also have a responsibility to the those around us

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Pre-Passover

Always a good idea to be examining yourself but particularly at this time

self-analysis contemplation reflection scrutinize ponder introspection

Worthily

Ephesians 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

We are told in Ephesians 4:1 If we don’t live that way, or at least try to live that way, we are NOT walking worthily of our calling.

Colossians 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified.

Barnes 2 Corinthians 13:5 The word used here (referring to test) is stronger than that before used, and rendered “examine” (peirazete). This word, prove (KJV; test in the NKJV), refers to assaying or trying metals by the powerful action of heat; and the idea here is, that they should make the most thorough trial of their religion, to see whether it would stand the test;

1) to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
2) to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy

Proving the worth by using it. A way of life that works

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain [Test/Prove] God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

We see the seriousness of this command to Test Yourself

Romans 2:18 and know His will, and approve [Test/Prove] the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
Romans 2:19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
Romans 2:20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
Romans 2:21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?
Romans 2:22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
Romans 2:23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
Romans 2:24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove [Test/Prove] what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. [Are we totally committed to God’s way of life] Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

HOW

With Jesus Christ

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

And the converse is true

Cannot do Without Jesus Christ

Act 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
John 15:8“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Pray, Fast, Bible Study, Meditation

Psalm 25:4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.

Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
Psalm 139:24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:24 O LORD, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.

Don’t use others as a guide

Sheep and Weeds

Sheep hear and follow the voice of the shepherd Matthew 25:32 “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. Matthew 25:33 “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 13:25“but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
Matthew 13:26“But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
Matthew 13:27“So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’
Matthew 13:28“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’
Matthew 13:29“But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
Matthew 13:30‘Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”‘ “
Matthew 13:39“The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.
Matthew 13:40 “Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
Matthew 13:41 “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
Matthew 13:42 “and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Set aside enough time to do this

Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial [form of Examine; peirasmos] which shall come upon the whole world, to test [Examine; peirazō] those who dwell on the earth.