When we take a test in school, we are being challenged to demonstrate what we have learned, what we know, how we think. According to Swedenborg, the meaning is much the same when people are tested in the Bible — it represents instruction through a state of temptation.
It might seem odd to pair learning and temptation, but temptation is essentially a conflict between what we want and what we know, and certainly helps clarify the true meaning and impact of the ideas in question. Adopting them as principles and living in them despite our desires gives us a far deeper understanding than a simple mental exercise can.
Passages from Swedenborg
Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 8924
8924. ‘Do not fear, for God has come in order to test you’ means that the life of heaven will not be destroyed, [but that they are tested] solely so that the existence and essential nature of that life may be known. This is clear from the meaning of ‘not fearing’ – not fearing that they will die – as their having no fear that the life of heaven with them will be destroyed, 8922; and from the meaning of ‘testing you’ as teaching about the existence of the life of heaven and about its essential nature. The reason why ‘testing’ has this meaning is that all spiritual testing or temptation serves to teach about and strengthen such ideas with a person. For temptations exist to this end, that belief in truth and affection for truth may be implanted and enrooted, and after these an affection for good, so that a person receives new life, which is the life of heaven.
Apocalypse Revealed (Coulson) n. 100
100. ‘That you may be put to the test’ signifies a fighting against them by means of untruths. This is signified because every spiritual temptation is a combat of the devil and the Lord [as to] who shall take possession of a man. The devil or hell brings out his untruths, and rebukes and condemns, but the Lord brings out truths and leads away out of untruths and delivers. This is a combat that appears to the man as in him, because it is from the evil spirits who are with him; and it is called temptation. I know from experience that spiritual temptation is nothing else, because in my temptations I have seen the infernals who induced them and have seen the influx from the Lord Who delivered me.