Refined Like Silver: How God Uses Trials to Mature Believers

Shakespeare’s famous statement from “The Merchant of Venice,” “All that glitters isn’t gold,” is generally recognized as meaning, “Things aren’t always as they seem.” However, there are additional implications that can be derived from this famous statement made by “The Bard from Avon.”

When taken out of its original context, one alternative meaning that could be derived from this truism is that “Gold is of tremendous value.” A second implication could be that “Other precious metals, such as silver, are also of tremendous value.”

Gold and Silver in Scripture

Scripture does indeed indicate that both gold and silver are of great value.

In Paul’s Second letter to Timothy, gold and silver are both used to represent items of great worth:

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth;

and some to honor, and some to dishonor.” II Timothy 2:20

In the Old Testament, the prophet Haggai also alluded to the tremendous value of gold and silver and their connection with the “Glory of God’s House”:

“And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with

glory, saith the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.” Haggai 2: 7,8

God’s Refining of Believers

We are also told in God’s Word that God likens His refining of believers to the refining of silver.

The following excerpt from an “unknown source” illustrates the refining process utilized by the LORD in His maturing of believers.

“He Shall Sit as a Refiner and Purifier of Silver”

There was once a group of women studying the Old Testament Book of Malachi. While studying the 3rd Chapter, they came across a verse which reads as follows:

“And He shall sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver.” Malachi 3:3

This verse puzzled the women, and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were the hottest, to burn away all of the impurities.

    The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot…, then she thought again about the verse, that “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver”. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

    The man answered “Yes”, and explained that he not only had to sit holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time that it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be damaged.

    The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is actually fully refined?”

    He smiled at her and answered, “Oh that is easy. When I see my image in it.”

Related Studies from Paradigms Tossed

Continue exploring how God uses trials, spiritual growth, and the circumstances of life to mature believers and draw them closer to Himself:

God Knows the Future: Trusting Him Through Life’s Trials
This study reminds believers that God remains present and purposeful even when they cannot understand the trials or circumstances they are experiencing.

The More Things Change, the More They Remain the Same
Explore the faith-rest life and how God teaches believers to trust His promises rather than complain or rely upon their own ability to solve every problem.

The Pursuit of Happiness vs. Pleasing God: A Biblical Perspective
This study considers whether the believer’s primary goal should be personal happiness or spiritual growth and living in a way that is pleasing to God.

The Promises of God: Finding Certainty in an Uncertain World
Explore the promises God gives His people and how learning to trust those promises can provide stability during difficult and uncertain seasons.

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh: Why God Allowed It
This study examines why God may permit limitations, hardships, and seemingly unwanted circumstances in order to develop humility and accomplish His eternal purposes in a believer’s life.