Living on Probation: The Season of Testing (Part 3)

Living on Probation: The Season of Testing (Part 3)

Before we continue, let us briefly recall the journey so far. In Part 1, we introduced the spiritual scale of the mind—a line stretching between proving and reprobation—and how every believer is called to discern and demonstrate the will of God. In Part 2, we examined the Greek roots of dokimazō (prove) and adokimos (reprobate), revealing how Paul’s language frames a divine test of the mind. Now, we turn to the space in between: the season of probation, where proving must take place and where the outcome is still being shaped.

Understanding Probation as a Season of Grace

Probation, in its biblical sense, is not a sentence of punishment but a season of opportunity. It is the time in which a person is given the chance to respond to truth, to walk in obedience, and to be found faithful. It is the state of being tested—not yet approved, not yet rejected. It is the tension of grace and responsibility. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines probation as “the state of man in the present life, in which he has the opportunity of proving his character and being qualified for a happier state.” This definition aligns beautifully with Scripture, which consistently presents life as a proving ground for the soul.

Though the word “probation” is not explicitly used in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout its pages. From Eden to the wilderness, from parables to epistles, God has always given His people time to choose, to yield, and to be tested.

The Important Meaning of “Prove” and “Reprobate” (Part 2)

The Important Meaning of “Prove” and “Reprobate” (Part 2)

See Part 1 here.

“That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” — Romans 12:2 (KJV) 

“God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” — Romans 1:28 (KJV)

These two words—prove and reprobate—represent not only two ends of a spiritual scale, but two pathways diverging in the heart of every believer. To understand them is to understand what God is seeking in those who follow Him—and what He sorrowfully abandons in those who turn away. Each word, in its origin and its usage, carries weight, purpose, and warning.

“Prove” – dokimazō

The Greek word translated “prove” in Romans 12:2 is dokimazō, which means to test, to examine, and to recognize something as genuine after scrutiny. This is not casual affirmation—it’s rigorous discernment that leads to spiritual confidence. Paul uses this word often to describe the responsibility of the renewed mind: to be spiritually perceptive, careful in judgment, and eager to affirm that which is good, acceptable, and perfect in God’s eyes.

Search Me, O Lord—A Spiritual Evaluation of Growth and Conformity

Search Me, O Lord—A Spiritual Evaluation of Growth and Conformity

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

Self-examination is not merely an act of introspection—it is an act of surrender. We stand before the Lord, asking Him to search our hearts, to test our faith, to refine our walk. This is not a fleeting exercise but a continual process of proving ourselves in the faith, as 2 Corinthians 13:5 exhorts: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves..."

The fruitfulness of our labour, our obedience to the Word, and our connection to God must be evaluated. Galatians 6:4 reminds us: "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." But let this evaluation not be grounded in external results—our works, our efforts—but rather in our growth and commitment to studying God’s Word.

Yield versus Obey

Yield versus Obey

The other day I was reading Romans 6 and the words “yield” and “obey” caught my attention. Before I pulled up an online dictionary to look up the word definitions, (which if you are interested, I add at the end of this article*), I got to thinking what the words were telling me. Let’s first look at the passage and then I’ll elaborate.

Rom.6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  [17]  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

I looked at that statement, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey”, and the word “yield” just bounced off the screen. I got to thinking that so many people see the bible as a book of rules to obey, but Paul here was using the word “yield”, not “obey”. As I continued to think about these two words, my mind veered to the two corresponding road signs and what they meant. If I drove a car and approached a yield sign, it was informing me that I should slow down and carefully observe my surroundings and then continue if all was safe and clear. It did not matter if I slowed down or stopped, but what mattered was if it was safe to continue. On the other hand, if I approach a stop sign, I must stop, even if everything is clear around me. There is a law connected to the stop sign whereas a yield sign allows me to use my own discretion. If I’m cautious but don’t stop at a yield sign, I don’t break the law, but if I don’t stop at a stop sign, I’m breaking the law, and I can be fined or incarcerated.