1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Ephesians 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting…
How much do you trust your Pastor, Bible study teacher, or youth leader?
One of the comments that President Ronald Reagan is famous for saying is: “Trust, but Verify.”
Most Bible teachers are good and honorable men and women of God. They take seriously the awesome task of being able to communicate the Word of God to people who will sit at their feet and receive their teaching. It takes hundreds of hours of study and preparation to bring a verse by verse study in the Bible, to the congregation each month.
This being said, men like myself who count it as one of the great privileges of life to teach the Word of God, are also quite fallible. Despite our best efforts, we sometimes make mistakes, take liberties we should not, improperly teach a certain verse of scripture.
When Paul came to region of Berea, he met a group of people who willingly came to listen to the teaching of the Word of God. When they had opened their minds and hearts to hear what Paul had to say, they then took the information that they had been given and compared what Paul said with what the Bible says.
Acts 17:10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
Today, those who diligently study the Bible to grow in their relationship with Jesus, and check out everything that they are told or taught, are called “Bereans”.
In your walk with the Lord today, remember to take time to do your own personal study of a Book or verse of the Bible. Compare other parallel scriptures with the verse you are reading. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what the meaning of these words are and how you should apply them to your life.
When anyone tells you a particular viewpoint on anything related to spiritual matters, compare what they say with what the Bible says. Men always make mistakes, but the Bible never makes a mistake.
Be known as one who eagerly comes to hear the Word of God taught, but cautiously verifies everything that is said with God’s Word.
Rob Robinson
