In this study, we will examine how God tests His children and purges impurities from their lives. We will see how Jesus learned obedience through suffering, and how we, too, must learn the same. As believers, we are called to embrace testing, trials, suffering, and the Father’s discipline so that we may grow in obedience as Jesus did. We will also see how God uses testing to reveal what is in our hearts and how His discipline is an expression of His love.

God tests His children

God tests His children to reveal what is in their hearts and to see whether they will walk in obedience.

1 “The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, 9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
Deuteronomy 8:1-10 ESV

We see that He disciplines us to see if we will do what He has taught us. He does this because He is our Father and He loves us.

In the next scripture from Deuteronomy 13, we see that God tests us to see if we will follow Him or man. It is very important to know that we should not follow a human because of the signs or wonders they perform or prophecies they speak that come to pass. We must always cling to the Word of God, not a person.

1 “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. 
Deuteronomy 13:1-4 ESV

We are tried as silver is tried—by fire. In the same way, we are refined through fire, and the process is painful. I have learned that resisting God during this refining only increases the pain. The suffering comes from the removal of the flesh’s desires and wants, and when we rebel against the process, it only becomes more severe.

For you, O God, have tested us;
    you have tried us as silver is tried.
Psalms 66:10 ESV

God tested Abraham, and Abraham resolved in his heart to trust God over his own reasoning. He made up his mind to obey God, no matter the cost.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Hebrews 11:17-19 ESV

In 2 Chronicles 32, we read the account of Hezekiah, whom God left to himself in order to reveal what was in his heart.

31 And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.
2 Chronicles 32:31 ESV

In the same way, there are times when we, as disciples of Jesus, are tested to see whether we will remain obedient even when we do not feel that God is with us. This does not mean that God has abandoned us; rather, He is allowing space for self-examination. We are called to test ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. Seasons of feeling alone are often times of testing, revealing how we will respond.

The question is whether we will continue in obedience to the Word of God or fall back into our old, familiar ways because of our emotions. We must trust that the Word of God is true above our feelings. Scripture assures us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). We are tested to see whether we will believe God over our own feelings.

Testing Reveals Our Quality

We see that Jesus was tested in the Gospel of Luke. The Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness, where Satan tempted Him.

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

4 And Jesus answered him, 
 “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 

5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 

8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
 “‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
    and him only shall you serve.’”

9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ 11 and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 And Jesus answered him, 
 “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 

13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Luke 4:1-13 ESV

From these Scriptures, we see that God tests us to reveal what is in our hearts. This testing process is both good and necessary. However, we must understand that temptation to sin comes from Satan and from our own lustful desires. The Holy Spirit may lead us into times of testing, just as He led Jesus, but the outcome of that testing depends on our obedience to God. To overcome, we must hold fast to the Word of God, just as Jesus did.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:12-15 ESV

The word “Test” means: To ascertain (the worth, capability, or endurance) of (a person or thing) by subjection to certain examinations; try - Collins English Dictionary

“Test”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Greek word dokimos (adj.) (1384) meaning Approved, tested, tried, genuine
HELPS Word-studies: 1384 dókimos (an adjective, derived from 1209/dexomai, "to receive, welcome") – properly, what passes the necessary test (scrutiny); hence acceptable because genuine (validated, verified).
 [1384 (dókimos) is the root of: 1381(dokimázō), 1382 (dokimḗ) and 1383 (dokímion). 1384 (dókimos) was used for the proving (testing) of coins, i.e. confirming they were genuine (not counterfeit, corrupted).]

The word “Tempt means: To entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain - Merriam-Webster

“Tempt”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Greek word peirazō (v.) (3985) in Luke 4;2 and James 1:13-14 is “tempted” and Hebrews 11:17, where it is used as “test” means: To test, to tempt, to try, to examine
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: tempt, examine, try: From peira (3984); to test (objectively), i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline -- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.
HELPS Word-studies: 3985 peirázō (from 3984 /peíra, "test, trial") – "originally to test, to try which was its usual meaning in the ancient Greek and in the LXX" (WP, 1, 30). "The word means either test or tempt" (WP, 1, 348). Context alone determines which sense is intended, or if both apply simultaneously.
3985 (peirazō) means "tempt" ("negative sense") in: Mt 16:1, 19:3, 22:18,35; Mk 8:11, 10:2, 12:15; Lk 11:16, 20:33; Jn 8:6; Js 1:13,14.
3985 (peirazō) however is used of positive tests in: Mt 4:11; Lk 22:28; 1 Cor 10:13; Js 1:12.

We need to understand that temptations to sin will come, but we must learn to stop engaging in sin. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 18, we are to cut sin out of our lives. This is how we endure and successfully pass through times of testing.

7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
Matthew 18:7-9 ESV

James explains that times of testing are meant to produce endurance, and if we need wisdom to overcome, we are to ask God for help. We are not expected to overcome in our own power.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
James 1:2-18 NASB® 1995

“Various”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Greek word poikilos (4164) means various, manifold, diverse. From “A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament”: many-coloured, of various colours, variegated, chequered; various, diverse, manifold.

James tells us that we will face many-colored trials. It is important to understand that trials and tests will come in many forms and will often look different each time. When we face difficulty, we are to ask God for help and consider it an opportunity to learn and grow, producing good fruit.

“Endurance”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Greek word hypomonē (5281) means Endurance, perseverance, patience, steadfastness, cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy
HELPS Word-studies: 5281 hypomonḗ (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 3306 /ménō, "remain, endure") – properly, remaining under, endurance; steadfastness, especially as God enables the believer to "remain (endure) under" the challenges He allots in life.

James explains the purpose of tests and trials and how we are to endure them. We are to count tests and trials as joy because they are meant to produce growth in us, if we allow them to do their work. Though the process is painful, it is also a beautiful work that God is accomplishing within us.

When we do not know how to pass the test, we are to ask for help. We ask our Father—the One who allows the testing—for wisdom to endure without sinning against Him.

Tests and trials are intended to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the life of a child of God.

When we do not pass our test or we struggle with sin in the middle of the testing, then God disciplines us.

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
Hebrews 12:3-15 ESV

As a parent, when we see our children doing wrong, we correct them. If they don’t listen, then we must discipline them. This is what God does with us.

Imagine this…

God hands us a test. We have studied the material, but we may not remember it all, so we raise our hand and ask for help, and He gives us the answer we need. We put that answer on the paper, and we passed. That is a successful test! However, when we start learning this process, we usually don’t pass our test that well. Usually, we get frustrated, try to figure out how to get out of a test, and we have a fit. This is when God’s discipline comes in. After we receive our correction, He will hand us another test, and we will have another opportunity to be refined.

God goes through this process with us repeatedly to remove all impurities and to mature us. We must understand that to be a child of God, this is the process He has given us. We cannot bypass this process. We must choose to allow Him to teach us and to discipline us, or we will be destroyed.

These scriptures in Ezekiel tell us what will happen to us if we despise His correction and discipline.

8 And the word of the Lord came to me: 9 “Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, say:

“A sword, a sword is sharpened
    and also polished,
10 sharpened for slaughter,
    polished to flash like lightning!

(Or shall we rejoice? You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood.) 11 So the sword is given to be polished, that it may be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished to be given into the hand of the slayer. 12 Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people. It is against all the princes of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. Strike therefore upon your thigh. 13 For it will not be a testing—what could it do if you despise the rod?” declares the Lord God.
Ezekiel 21:8-13 ESV

If we despise the rod. He will bring the sword. We must not outrage the Spirit of grace.

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:26-31 ESV

We must understand that there is suffering that comes from obedience and suffering that comes from disobedience. We need to learn to discern the difference. Suffering that results from obedience is pleasing to God because we are learning and He is teaching us. Suffering that results from disobedience is simply the consequence of sin and of disregarding His Word. Such suffering is not credited to us, for it is the result of doing wrong.

20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
1 Peter 2:20 ESV

There are different outcomes from the testing we receive from God. We can choose to seek Him for help and grow stronger through the situation, or we can allow the trial to cause us to fall away. Jesus explains this truth through a parable.

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Luke 8:11-15 ESV

The people in this parable represent those who call, or have called, themselves Christians. We see a similar pattern in the story of the Israelites after they left Egypt. They were tested in the wilderness, but because of their lack of faith in God, many of them did not enter the Promised Land.

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house⁠—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tried Me by testing Me, And saw My works for forty years. “Therefore I was angry with this generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they did not know My ways’; As I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’”

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said,

“Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.”

For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
Hebrews 3:1-19 NASB® 1995

When we enter times of testing, we must believe that God will give us the wisdom we need. We must ask for this wisdom so that we can pass the test and learn to overcome sin, choosing not to give in to the temptations our flesh desires. If we do not believe that He will help us, we cannot be pleasing to Him. To overcome temptation, we must seek God with all our heart, mind, and soul, and be determined that no matter what comes against us, we will overcome with His help.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:3-7 ESV

Jesus Suffered and So Will We

As stated above, there are two kinds of suffering.

Required suffering: God ordained suffering in the life of Jesus for the salvation of humanity. In the same way, as disciples of Jesus, we will be called to suffer for Him, just as He suffered.

Suffering not required by God: Suffering can also result from the practice of sin. This kind of suffering does not come from God but is the consequence of sin—whether our own sin or the sin of others. Such suffering should lead us to repentance and to a deeper dependence on God for help. At times, it may also expose sinful patterns in our lives that we are not yet aware of. When we submit to testing and trials, God can use them to burn out sin, if we allow the process to accomplish its work.

We must be sure that our suffering is for Christ and not the result of our own sinful choices.

Now let us consider how Jesus laid down His own desires for the will of the Father. In choosing obedience, He willingly accepted suffering that He did not desire, submitting Himself fully to the Father’s will.

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:39-46 ESV

This is a powerful example of how Jesus entered into testing, chose obedience to God, and was strengthened by an angel sent by God.

We see in Acts 1 that after He suffered, He appeared to many people, giving them undeniable proof that He was alive. Through this, He showed them how to live and demonstrated that all who choose to believe in Him may enter into eternal life.

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:1-3 ESV

“Suffering”: Lexicon in Biblehub: In Acts 1:3, “Suffering” is the Greek word paschó (3958) meaning to suffer, to endure, to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
HELPS Word-studies: 3958 pásxō (a primitive verb) – properly, to feel heavy emotion, especially suffering; affected, experiencing feeling (literally "sensible" = "sensed-experience"); "the feeling of the mind, emotion, passion" (J. Thayer).
3958/pásxō (to experience feeling") relates to any part of us that feels strong emotion, passion, or suffering – especially "the capacity to feel suffering" (J. Thayer). The Lord has privileged us to have great capacity for feeling (passion, emotion, affections). Indeed, this is inherent because all people are created in the divine image. Note, for example, how Jesus in His perfect (sinless) humanity keenly felt (3958/pásxō, see Lk 17:25, 22:15, 24:26,46, etc.).
 [3958/pásxō("experiencing strong feeling") is the root of: 3804 /páthēma ("passions, sufferings"), 3805 /pathētós ("suffering") and 3806 /páthos ("strong feeling, passion").]

We see that Jesus learned obedience through suffering, and we too must learn obedience in the same way.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Hebrews 2:10 NASB® 1995

“Sufferings”: Lexicon in Biblehub: In Hebrews 2:10, “Sufferings” is the Greek word pathéma (3804), which means Suffering, affliction, passion
HELPS Word-studies:
3804 páthēma (from 3958 /pásxō, "the capacity to feel strong emotion, like suffering") – properly, the capacity and privilege of experiencing strong feeling; felt, deep emotion, like agony, passion (ardent desire), suffering, etc.
Under God, 3804 /páthēma ("strong feeling") is redemptive, preparing us to know the Lord better now and forever in glory (cf. Ro 8:18; Phil 3:10; 1 Pet 5:1). 3804 (páthēma) is not inherently negative; indeed, it is only negative when experienced outside of (apart from) faith. See 3958 (pasxō).
 [3804 /páthēma("strong feeling") includes affliction (suffering), which should always (ideally) result in knowing God's glory – like going through difficulties (persecution, etc.) in faith. Note the -ma suffix, emphasizing the end-result (experiencing strong feeling).]

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,
Hebrews 5:8-9 NASB® 1995

“Obedience”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Obedience” is the Greek word hupakoé (5218), which means Obedience, attentive hearkening, (by implication) compliance or submission
HELPS Word-studies: 5218 hypakoḗ (from191 /akoúō, "to hear" and 5259 /hypó, "beneath") – i.e., obedience– literally, "submission to what is heard" (WS, 695), i.e., obedience as the response to someone speaking. This refers both to an earthly voice and the Lord's voice (see 2 Cor 10:5; 1 Pet 1:2).

“Obey”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Obey” in Hebrews 5:9 is the Greek word hupakouó (5219), which means To obey, to listen attentively, to heed, to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively, (by implication) to heed or conform to a command or authority
HELPS Word-studies: 5219 hypakoúō (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 191 /akoúō, "hear") – properly, to obey what is heard (literally, "under hearing"). See 5218 (hypakoē).
5219 /hypakoúō ("obey") is acting under the authority of the one speaking, i.e., really listening to the one giving the charge (order). 5219 /hypakoúō ("to hearken, obey") suggests attentively listening, i.e., fully compliant (responsive).
[5219 (hypakoúō)is an "intensification" of the simple verb "to listen" (191 /akoúō, "hear").]

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to learn obedience in this way, regardless of what is required of us.

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Matthew 10:16-25 ESV

We see from Matthew that, as followers of Christ, we can expect to be treated as Jesus was treated.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
1 Peter 3:13-18 ESV

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:13-25 NASB® 1995

Learn to Rejoice in Suffering

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18 ESV

5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:5-7 ESV

We learn to rejoice in our sufferings so that we may know Him more deeply and grow into maturity.

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Philippians 3:7-16 ESV

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
2 Timothy 2:1-7 ESV

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:3-5 ESV

Learning to Endure

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:3-11 ESV

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13 ESV

We must devote ourselves to the Word of God and live it out, so that we may learn to endure all that comes at us.

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.
Hebrews 10:35-39 NASB® 1995

Jesus provides another example of the type of trials some will endure, then He explains the purpose.

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives
Luke 21:12-19 NASB® 1995

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB® 1995

To learn more about testing, see: Test and Examine Yourself

References:

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• “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB® 1995 - New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”

• Lexicon: Biblehub.com

• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Biblehub.com

• HELPS Word-studies taken from The Discovery Bible, available at discoverybible.com, copyright © 2021, HELPS Ministries Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

• Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994,1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

  • "Test." Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014. 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014. HarperCollins Publishers 8 Jun. 2025 https://www.thefreedictionary.com/test

• MERRIAM-WEBSTER ONLINE (www.Merriam-Webster.com) copyright © 2012 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

  • “Tempt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempt. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.

  • “Steadfast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steadfast. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.

• Green, Thomas Sheldon. A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament. Project Gutenberg, 2012 (Updated 2020), www.gutenberg.org; #353: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/40935/40935-h/40935-h.htm#πι

• Edited on 01/2026