Spiritual X Men (Luke 8:13)

Luke 8:13 says, "... in time of testing [they] fall away."

This scripture is parallel to that of Matthew 13:21, and Mark 4:17, which clearly indicate that this testing, is tribulation or persecution "... because of the word...". There is no reference to sickness or disease, or actions against us, because of our bad behavior, but rather, this is physical violence against us (persecution), or verbal; mental; or emotional abuse (tribulation), because of the Word in our lives.

CLASSICAL GREEK

In classical Greek literature, the word-group is only expressed in the ideas of "testing", or "trials", without any negative connotation. It is those who are termed to be godly; righteous; or "the sons and daughters of Wisdom", who undergo such testing, to prove their already positive character, and refine what may be lacking, to the acceptable standard of the gods that they serve.

In fact, even in biblical usage, there is no use of the word-group in reference to the ungodly. It is only those who have received the Word that encounter testing.

CLASSICAL LITERATURE

In classical literature, the root meaning of the word-group is found in two concepts:

1) Carrying through a desire to completion.

2) The exertion; effort; striving required to carry out that desire.

TEACHER'S TEST

The word is a very active; aggressive term.

It is from these root meanings that the ideas of "testing" or "attempting" something were derived. 

The word may be adequately pictured as that of a teacher giving a test, or examination to their students, for the purpose of evaluating what level of learning they have attained to, and what further instruction they may require, to achieve to the standard of acceptability of the instructor.

PASS THE TEST

This is the only biblical use of the term in reference to God. However, unlike a teachers examination, there is absolutely no expectation in scripture, of failing the test. With God, there is ALWAYS the positive expectation that we will pass the test. In fact, ironically, the test is not given so that God may know what we are capable of. He already knows that we possess  the most potent force in the universe. But often we do not know what we can do in Christ, and so we live far below our rights and privileges, in an obscure Christian existence. The test is much more one of self-discovery, so that we may come to the realization of the latent potential that lies within us.

POTENT POWER

The potent power that lies within us is only expressed when there is a demand placed upon it. God, our Father, allows us to be tested, so that we may draw upon that untapped reservoir of God-likeness, for present and future use.

Though not a perfect illustration, it is not unlike the fictitious X Men, who through some traumatic event, come to the realization of the power that they possess, and that power becomes, through the testing, activated in their lives.

We live our lives in quiet obscurity, until God, our Father, allows the testing of the Word in our lives, forcing us into active duty for his Kingdom. We are the true spiritual X Men and women of God.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.