Testing....1.....2......3

Just another thought....we should be concious of what people in the church teach us especially pastors and leaders of the church. We shouldn't just drink in everything they say and assume what they teach is correct. Is it not written in 1 John 4:1-6 to 'test the spirits'? In Acts 20:30-31 is written that even in the church, 'men will arise to distort the truth' and we have to be 'on our guard'. If we are not on our guard, someone can come in, preach some heretical teaching and we will fall into it. In my opnion, to make sure eveything that is taught is correct, it should always be tested against the Word of God. We must make an effort to know the scriptures which is the very words of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is truth since God is truth (John 14:6). We must engage our minds every time when a sermon is preached or someone leads a small group session. Let not our minds be idle during this time but actively engage to make sure all that is being taught is in line with scripture. Note that they 'distort the truth'. To recognize these distorted truths, we have to know the scriptures and search them intently.

An example are the Bereans in Acts 17:10-11. Even though they knew Paul was a well-learned person and well-versed in the Scriptures (remember, Paul was a zealous Pharisee who used to study under Gamaliel-one of the most respectable teachers at that time), we read that they 'examined the scriptures everyday to see if what Paul said was true'. Note that they 'received the message with eagerness'. This shows that they listened intently to Paul but they checked the Scriptures themselves to verify Paul's claims. They just didn't drink in what Paul taught but took the glass of water and checked it first if it was safe to drink.

Therefore, we have to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to know the Scriptures and to see through any false or misleading teachings (John 14:26). I am not saying that all the pastors and church leaders teach are wrong. We are just double-checking. :P


Solis Deo Gloria


Ian


PS: Feel free to comment yah...what I said earlier applies to everyone...not only pastors but to everyone who teaches. :)

These are some of the bible verses i used in my 'essay' above:

1 John 4:1-6

1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Acts 20:30-31

30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

2 Timothy 3:16

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Acts 17:10-11

10As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

John 14:26

26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.