The Trial Formula

Hebrews 11:6

6Buth without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

To believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, it takes faith. But what is faith? The word says in Hebrews that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We often miss the verse right after it which it says, For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Ah...there's that word, "testimony." The root of the word testimony is "test." The origin of the word "test" is Latin meaning earthen pot. According to wikipedia, earthen pots were made of clay and before they could be used they had to be heated or placed in fire to solidify the shape for use. The purpose of a test is so when you come out there is a testimony. On the opposite side of that, the enemy tries you because he doesn't believe your faith is where it is. The word says the enemy is the accuser of the brethren. Remember, he did it to Job because he didn't believe that Job really had faith.  The word says the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy in John 10:10 but Jesus comes that we may have life and life more abundantly. What does that mean? It means that the enemy's sole motive is to discredit you like a prosecutor attempts to discredit a witness on the stand. God allows the trial to prove the opposite which is called the defense. But it takes faith to enter a trial and to come out of it. So then what is the purpose of a testimony? Your testimony isn't just to increase your faith, it is also to increase the faith of those who are to hear it. Ah...another key word, "hear."  If the enemy can get you to a place where you no longer have faith, doubt, etc, then it stops you from gaining the ear of anyone who could possibly believe. Remember, the enemy wanted to be equal with God and that is how he lost his place in Heaven. Misery loves company. But back to the word hear. Did you know Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines hear as, 1)to perceive by the ear, 2) to gain knowledge of by hearing: learn 3)heed also:attend 4) to give a legal hearing to or take the testimony from?  In Romans 10:17 it says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So when your testimony is complete, those who hear will increase in their faith. But in order to hear, people have to be listening. Listening and hearing are not exactly the same thing. Merriam-Webster defines listening as 1)to pay attention to in order to hear, 2)heed. So if someone isn't watching or listening they can't hear the testimony and therefore increase in their faith. The biggest way for someone to miss it is via a distraction. The distractions are the obstacles the enemy throws in your way so no can see past them, not even you. If you and those around you cannot see God in the trial because of the distractions, then the enemy will keep them from hearing the testimony and you from giving it and they will not grow in their faith. And the word again says above, that without faith it is impossible to please God. 

The formula is the same but used in different ways, How you see it, assists in determining the outcome. In other words, you cannot lose your faith during the trial. If you seek God as the word says above, even in the trial with faith, He will reward you.