Why would God test you if He already knows what you're going to do?

Question

Saying that we have free will isn't an answer.

Answer 1

Why would you ask that, if the answer is already fixed in your mind?

Man is not a mechanism, nor is God. When the "check engine" light goes on in your car do you race to the dealership? Or do you expect a memo from the Almighty?

Answer 2

The concept of God testing an individual while He possesses the knowledge of the outcome and the choices one would make is a Muslim out look or theological perspective.

The reason for such a testing is that although Allah Subhanna wa Ta'ala knows what the individal will do before the individual knows or does the action involved (i.e., Allah Subhann wa Ta'ala knows and knew everything you would do from the moment of one's creation, etc.) the one (i.e, the human, mortal, created being) does not know what he or she would do. The testing shows him or her what they would do so that on the Day of Judgement, when each will be handed his or her scroll of his/her life's actions they can not say that they were not given the opportunity to act nor that they were not allowed to act and so they will know that they, the "individual", did what is contained in the scroll.

Another theological concept from the Muslim tradtion is that Allah Subhanna wa Ta'ala never test an individual more than that person can endure, handle or bear. (This is one of those ideas that the Christians have taken from Islam.)
Just as with the other concept, it's logic is faulty and the same is readily demonstratable by having witnessed an individual driven to despair and depression (and, often, suicide) because they were not able to handle the "test".

Any reasoning that trys to prove a point based on the point in question, without using outside or "other" proof that is both verifiable and reliable is illogical and, thereby, faulty.

Any "God" possessing full knowledge of all things and events prior to the occurance or creation of the same would have no need to implement or bring about such as the same would simply prove to be an exercise in futility causing usless suffering for those whom were known prior to their created life actions to be either fated for blessedness and paradise or damned and fated to the lakes of fire/hell.

Such also does away with, or undermines any notion of free will or choice by the individual in that one would have been created by "God" to behave in such a manner, making any notion of freedom of chioce an illusion as all would then be done according to the will of "God" and not the will of "man".

If "God" exists, whether that "God" be addressed by the individual as YHWH, Trintiy-Father or Allah Subhann wa Ta'ala, it would be a cruel diety, indeed to so torture its creation in such a manner and by such actions would not qualify to be "god" by the logical definition of the same, at least and especially as any "loving, kind and compassionate" diety would be concerned.

The most logical and reasonable solution to this quandry is that either there is no god (and the answers for each individual must come from within that individual him or herself) or that humankind is unable to have a relationship with such a deity as the same would be too far removed from the reality of mortal existance to be understood or even conceived (such as one dimensional creaturers living in a one dimensional reality coming into contact with a multi- dimnensional being, one which, by it very nature and manner of existance would be beyond their comprehension) by the individual.

May it all be well with you.

Answer 3

thats a good and hard question to explain/ answer. yes God knows what we are going to do- but thats because he is god, he knows everything- that would be pretty sad if he didnt know everything. and even though he knows everything, that doesnt mean that he makes choices for us. we do that. he puts obstacles in our life for a purpose. half the time we dont know what the heck the purpose is - but its all part of gods plan. all we need to know is that he loves us more than we can ever comprehend and we need to accept that, and we need to live a life devoted to him to the best of our abilities and he will take care of us not allways in the way that we want, but he allways will his word says so. God Bless:)

Answer 4

This is almost to the point of a Christian drinking question...but I'll answer anyways. ;)

God doesn't test you for His benefit. Yeah, God does know what you're going to do. Testing is for the human aspect. Simple as it is, that's the truth. We don't have to prove ourselves to God, because God in his ultimate wisdom knows where we stand with Him. By testing us, it allows us to recognize where we are.

Answer 5

First of all God doesn't test. He allows Satan to pull his tricks because he is a supporter of the fact that there are humans who are humble and faithful enough to follow his commandments. We are not the only living entities in the universe you must realize. Millions of angels and demons are witnessing this trial, and ultimately, humankind as well. There can be no doubt at the end, that humans do need God in order to survive, and that we cannot govern ourselves without blowing up the planet.

Answer 6

Freewill doesn't go with "God"
To be a Libertarianism means you believe in free will fir humans.
If you were an Objective Idealist then you would think that "God" had already decided what you are going to do.

Answer 7

Because when we argue (or not) that our destination was not fair or that you never comitted any sins God can say that YES, you lived your life and you committed every last sin. All of our senses will testify to this physical life which will determine our afterlife. God is a fair God; He gives us a chance even if He knows the results.

Peace.

Answer 8

Im an athiest, however if im wrong and God exists, im sure God would need some sort of amusement? Prehaps time is something too complex for us Humans to understand compared to God?

Answer 9

So we can be a witnesses against our own selves, imagine a teacher flunking you without a test would you accept it, no. So when the day comes your record book will be proof and you will not have any excuses

Answer 10

In many different ways. Read the bible, there are many instances where the faith of the believers were tested by God. Like the case of Abraham and the case of Job.