What does the Bible say about testing God? What does it mean to test God?

TL;DR:

Testing God usually reveals doubt, not faith—and Scripture warns against it. The only exception where testing God is seen positively is in giving, where God invites us to trust His provision through tithes, not conditions.

what does the bible say?

The Bible nearly always indicates that testing God is unacceptable. God commanded the Israelites not to do it and punished them when they did. The only time in the Bible God invites the Israelites to test Him is with their tithes and offerings . In fact, in the New Testament, when Satan attempted to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus answered him by quoting the prohibition from Deuteronomy 6:16. The New Testament also includes passages from Peter and Paul indicating that testing God is inappropriate. Testing God is usually rooted in doubt about God's faithfulness. A true believer walks in faith (Hebrews 11:1–3, 6). Those tempted to test God should instead ask Him to increase their trust and faith in Him.

from the old testament

One Hebrew word for "test" in the Bible is nacah, which means "to put to the test, try, or tempt." Deuteronomy 6:16 uses that word in God’s command to the Israelites not to test Him (cf. Matthew 4:7).
In general, people test God when they lack faith or trust Him. The Israelites did this in Massah when they grumbled about not having water while en route to the Promised Land. Exodus 17:7 says, "And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, 'Is the LORD among us or not?'" This story shows us that grumbling and complaining tests the Lord, as does questioning whether He is with us. Both show our unbelief and mistrust.
The only time the Bible specifically mentions God inviting people to test Him is regarding tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:10 says, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." Bachan is the Hebrew word translated as "test" in this verse, and it means "to examine, scrutinize, or prove (as in gold, persons, or the heart)." As putting gold in a fire tests its quality, God invites the Israelites to test Him by giving their tithes and offerings. In return, He proved His faithfulness to them.

from the new testament

When Jesus was fasting in the wilderness, the Devil came to tempt Him (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan proposed that Jesus "prove" God's promises were true by testing God to save Him if He were to put Himself in danger. Jesus refused and quoted Deuteronomy 6:16 to combat the enemy's temptation (Matthew 4:7–10).
Paul warned the Corinthians to learn from the error of their Israelite ancestors: “We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer” (1 Corinthians 10:9-10).
Peter noted that Ananias and Sapphira were testing the Holy Spirit by lying about what they had contributed to the church (Acts 5:9).

implications for today

We test things every day: We dip our toes in the water to test the temperature. Electricians test wires to see if they’re live. We even test people. Teachers test students on lessons, and teens test parents on rules.

But Christians shouldn’t test our heavenly Father. Agnostics do this when they pray, “God, if you’re real, heal my mother.” But even believers might fall into the trap Gideon did when he tested God by asking for proof that He would save Israel (Judges 6:36-40). Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s not me!” But if you’ve ever presented conditions to serving God—-e.g., “If you help me out of this situation, I’ll give extra money to the church’s missionaries” —- you’re testing God (give the money without the condition!). Our relationship with God shouldn’t be a give-to-get scheme. We’re to worship Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) because we love and revere Him. We’re to pray in faith (James 1:6) and in His will (Matthew 6:10). Then, we’re to trust that even if He doesn’t grant our request, as our omniscient Creator, His plan is better than ours, even if we can’t see it at the time. Testing the Lord indicates doubt and a distorted view of who He is and who we are.

Rather than testing God, we’re to be humble enough to submit to Him, realizing that we’re flawed, but He is perfect.

understand

Testing God usually shows doubt and is warned against in Scripture.
The only approved testing of God is in Malachi 3:10—regarding giving.
True faith trusts God without setting conditions.

reflect

What thoughts or emotions tend to surface when you feel tempted to question God's presence or provision?
How does your approach to prayer reveal your level of trust in God’s character and plan?
How can your daily choices show greater humility and submission to God instead of placing expectations on Him?

engage

What are some common ways people today test God, and how do those reflect underlying struggles with faith?
How does the Bible’s contrast between testing God and trusting Him shape our understanding of genuine worship?
What can we learn from Jesus’ response to Satan in the wilderness about how to handle doubts and spiritual pressure?