Trial by Fire (Proverbs 17:3; 1 Peter 4:12)

PROVERBS 17:3 says, "The fining pot (is) for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts" (KJV).

1 PETER 4:12 says, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the firey trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you".

FIERY TRIAL

The words translated "fiery trial" are (púrōsis) or (pyrosis), [the basis of the English word 'pyromania', a compulsive disorder to start fires], a feminine noun from (puróō) (4448), 'to burn', or (púr) (4442), 'fire'.

PURE GOLD

The imagery depicts a goldsmith refining gold, or rather, purifying gold ore into something even more valuable and precious. The gold ore, including all its impurities and foreign elements, was heated until it liquefied. Once liquefied, the artisan would skim off the impurities, as they rose to the surface. This process would continue until there were no impurities, and only pure gold. The craftsman would recognize the pure gold when they could see their reflection in the liquid. When there was only a pure gold mirror reflecting their image, the process was complete.

AUTHORITY in the WORD

When we go through persecution, or 'trials' and 'tests'—even if they are attacks from the enemy—God turns those trials and tests into 'growing pains' for us to learn how to use our authority in the Word, to resist the devil, steadfast in our faith (1 Peter 5:9), submitting to the Lord, resisting the devil, and have him flee from us (James 4:7), so that all things work together for our good (Rom.8:28); even what may have been meant for evil.

JOSEPH

Joseph, recounting the treacherous act of his brothers, in selling him as a slave into Egypt said, "...you thought evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, so save many people alive" (Gen.50:20). The word of God says, "He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold as a servant, whose feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in iron, until the time that his word came; the Word of the LORD tested him" (Ps.105:19). The Amplified translation says, "...he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron".

IRON

Not only does the process produce in us, the image of God in us, but, like Joseph, we become like 'iron,' strengthened on the inside, and, like Joseph, our word will also come to fulfill His plan and purpose in us.

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