Afflictions, while often perceived as trials or hardships, serve a profound purpose in the spiritual growth and understanding of believers. Throughout Scripture, afflictions are depicted as instruments through which God reveals His will, refines character, and deepens faith. This entry explores the biblical perspective on how afflictions are used by God to instruct His people in His will.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently presents afflictions as a means by which God communicates His will and purposes. In Psalm 119:71, the psalmist declares, "It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes" . This verse highlights the educational aspect of suffering, suggesting that through affliction, believers gain a deeper understanding of God's laws and commands.

Similarly, Hebrews 12:10-11 speaks to the disciplinary nature of afflictions: "Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it" . Here, afflictions are portrayed as divine discipline intended to produce holiness and righteousness in the lives of believers.

Refinement and Purification

Afflictions serve as a refining fire, purifying believers and aligning them more closely with God's will. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, the apostle Peter writes, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" . The imagery of gold refined by fire illustrates how trials purify faith, making it more genuine and valuable.

Dependence on God

Afflictions often lead believers to a greater dependence on God, teaching them to trust in His sovereignty and provision. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, shares his personal experience with affliction: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" . Through his afflictions, Paul learned to rely on God's grace and strength, recognizing that his own weakness was an opportunity for God's power to be displayed.

Conformity to Christ

Afflictions also play a role in conforming believers to the image of Christ. Romans 8:28-29 assures believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" . Through suffering, believers are shaped and molded to reflect the character and likeness of Jesus, who Himself endured suffering for the sake of humanity.

Endurance and Hope

Finally, afflictions cultivate endurance and hope, essential qualities for understanding and living out God's will. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" . The endurance developed through afflictions leads to spiritual maturity, equipping believers to discern and fulfill God's will in their lives.

In summary, afflictions, while challenging, are divinely purposed to teach believers the will of God. Through them, God refines character, deepens faith, and draws His people closer to Himself, ultimately conforming them to the image of Christ and equipping them for His purposes.Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 26:9
With my soul have I desired you in the night; yes, with my spirit within me will I seek you early: for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Micah 6:9
The LORD's voice cries to the city, and the man of wisdom shall see your name: hear you the rod, and who has appointed it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

In Internal Contemplative Ways a Guide is Necessary, and Why? 2...
... livers, those I mean that have made a sufficient ... the doing may prove a more beneficial
mortification to ... avoid occasions of mortifications or afflictions 4. To ...
/.../chapter i in internal contemplative.htm

Spiritual Culture.
... should approve themselves by "much patience, in afflictions, in necessities ... You will
find it beneficial to frequently seclude ... since the day Adam was made of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xi spiritual culture.htm

Treatise vii. On the Mortality.
... is it to love the world's afflictions, and punishments ... rebuked, we might acknowledge
what is beneficial for all. ... given me before the world was made." [3512] He ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise vii on the mortality.htm

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Paul's Care and Prayer for the ...
... to them by speaking of these afflictions in unusual ... we regard them as glorious,
beneficial, precious, blessed ... very comforting, though we have made it terrifying ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/sixteenth sunday after trinity pauls.htm

The Exhortation of the Last HomilyIs Continued in This. ...
... the vigilant, poverty is much better and more beneficial than riches ... It was a snare,
and they made it a ... to their desires, they shall come to afflictions in the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily v the exhortation of.htm

Translated from Latin of Rufinus.
... Now, although it is due to the beneficial action of ... his trouble; and, after enduring
his afflictions to satiety ... For He made the rational nature, which He formed ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from latin of rufinus.htm

Second Sunday after Easter
... to manifest the fruit of patience under crosses and afflictions. ... by love and a faithful
heart are beneficial. ... So, when Peter made this little statement about ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after easter.htm

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... wherever possible and where the laws are beneficial. ... to love to himself is: God has
made worldly wisdom ... henceforth to be loved amid crosses and afflictions. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm

Of Civil Government.
... afflict and hurt; but to avenge the afflictions of the ... laws which it judges to be
beneficial, still these ... intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The General Service to a Nun.
... the Theotokion: Held down by afflictions we entreat thee ... device for rest, having
by fasting made thy spirit ... guided the souls unto the beneficial exertions in ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxii the general service.htm

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