The Testing of the Prophet

“But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.’” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (CSB)

What Is the Posture of Your Heart?

The testing of a prophet is not just about examining character in the outward sense. The testing process is an opportunity for God to reveal the hidden places in your heart that are easy to conceal. A person may learn to control their behavior or manage how they are perceived, but it is the posture of the heart that ultimately tells the truth about who they really are.

In 1 Samuel 16, we read about the moment when David was anointed by the prophet Samuel to succeed King Saul. Before anointing David, Samuel had mourned Saul’s disqualification to such a degree that God asked him, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel?”

When Saul was chosen as king, he had everything people typically admire. He was tall, handsome, charismatic, and impressive by all natural standards. He fit the mold of someone who could lead with strength and confidence. By appearance alone, Saul seemed perfect.

But beneath all of those outward qualities, there was something in Saul that disqualified him before God. He had heart posture issues that caused him to reject God's commands. In doing so, he rejected the God who had appointed him. Though we can only speculate, Saul may have been an admirable leader in many ways. Even Samuel, a prophet and spiritual authority in Israel, grieved deeply over his failure. His mourning may have come from a hope that God would restore Saul.

Being a leader does not exempt us from the tendency to judge by appearances. Nor does it exempt us from believing we are okay simply because we have learned to show restraint. It is easy to assume that if we look the part, we are fine. And we often extend that same assumption to others.

So when God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint a new king, Samuel immediately assumed that the first son he saw was the chosen one. It is not hard to imagine that Saul’s image was still fresh in his mind. Samuel may have been searching for a replacement that made sense visually. But God corrected him and said, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

God made it clear that He was not impressed by what was presented on the surface. He was searching for the unseen things, the hidden matters of the heart. Character is important, but character alone is not enough. People can be conditioned to say, do, and display the right things. They can learn how to behave, how to carry themselves, and how to treat people properly. While it is possible to fake character, it is not possible to fake heart posture.

Character vs. Heart Posture

People can do the right things outwardly and still be driven by impure motives. That is the distinction between character and heart posture. Character is the visible pattern of a person’s behavior over time. Heart posture, however, reveals the deeper motives, the reason behind the action.

Why does heart posture matter in the life of a prophet? Because it reveals who truly belongs to God. A false prophet can appear to have good character, yet carry impure motives that dishonor God. At the same time, a prophet who is still maturing in character may have a heart that is sincerely aligned with God.

This is not to excuse poor character. A prophet must grow in both character and heart posture. But someone with a pure heart can be shaped and corrected. On the other hand, a person with a corrupt heart may use good works to mask their true condition.

Think about those who were later revealed to be false prophets. Many had charisma, influence, and even performed what seemed to be righteous acts, serving the poor, praying for the sick, showing compassion outwardly. Yet their hearts were not right before God, and eventually, that truth came to light.

To be a real prophet takes heart, literally. The testing process is the ground where everything that makes up a prophet is revealed. Testing exposes maturity, reveals moral gaps, uncovers motives, and challenges intentions. It is the place where the unseen becomes visible.

A true prophet after God’s heart will carry godly sorrow. They will invite God to search them and expose whatever needs cleansing, because they desire purity, holiness, and righteousness. Even when they fall short, their heart is to please God. Obedience matters to them. Humility matters to them. Correction matters to them.

A Testing Ground for the Heart

The testing of a prophet does not always come in the form of public trial or visible resistance. Sometimes it happens in private moments. It may be a conversation, a response, a temptation, or a moment of weakness that reveals an area still needing surrender.

You may think you have overcome an old struggle, only to discover that pressure exposes a reaction you thought was gone. It may be anger, pride, fear, insecurity, or a need for recognition. These moments do not come to shame you. They come to show you what is still wounded, unhealed, or unsurrendered. This is God’s way of saying, “Let me deal with this before it deals with you.”

A prophet after God’s heart will not fight against this process. They will submit to it. They will desire to address the matters of the heart, not just for public ministry, but for the sake of pleasing God privately.

God, in His mercy, often allows testing to happen in safe places, where it can be addressed before it causes harm to others or discredits the calling. This kind of testing is humbling, but it is necessary. It reminds us that maturity is not just shown in what we do in public. It is formed in what we surrender to in private.

What Does the Test Look Like?

This is often the part of the prophetic life that makes many feel isolated, misunderstood, or even unfairly treated. The testing of a prophet can feel weighty because it is. It is unique, purposeful, and deeply personal.

I remember a prophetess who once visited our church and shared her testimony. She described going to a church service, only to return home to find her house burned to the ground. Shortly afterward, a family member became critically ill. Life felt like it was unraveling all at once. Yet she stood firm, trusting God through every test.

In times like that, it is tempting to echo the words of Job’s wife: “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). But the prophet who has been truly called will remain anchored. These tests are not punishments; they are purifying fires. They expose whether your devotion is situational or rooted in a surrendered life.

It is easy to speak for God when life is good. But the real test is whether you can still trust Him, still obey Him, and still believe He is good when everything around you says otherwise.

David was not perfect. His character failed him more than once. But God still called him a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David knew how to repent. He learned to thank God for the afflictions that corrected him. In Psalm 119:71, he wrote, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes.”

Final Reflection

If God has called you, He will test you. These tests are not to destroy you, but to shape you into someone He can trust with His heart.

Let this be the cry of the prophet today:

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.”— Psalm 139:23–24 (CSB)

Because in the end, it is not the voice that matters most, but the heart behind it.