Are spiritual tests real?

[Ya know]

It seems like a stage blue concept - My ego vs external evils that prevent me from ascending, but i'm wondering what you guys think?

I feel as if I've had times where I've had opportunities to exercise restraint, turn the other cheek, forgiveness, love rather than condemnation and resorted to egoistic reactions. This can be considered a test, as if reality is revealing a disparity between how I think and behave.

 

Curious as to what you guys think, and if the idea of ''tests'' changes as you reach higher consciousness.