Do You Know What You Believe... and Why?
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 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. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Acts 17:10-12 (NKJV)
The other day Jim and I were watching a well-known Bible teacher on television. Usually a balanced and accurate teacher, this person said something that did not ring true with either of us. So, we went to the Bible to determine whether his teaching was correct. It is so important to live our lives according to sound doctrine, or a correct understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures. According to what we found, we determined that he was off-base in what he said. Does this mean, we are always correct, and others are not? Of course not- we are human and can make errors ourselves. It means that the Bible is to be the final authority on all we do and live by- not the teachings of people.
Paul and Silas went to Berea and taught the Jews there about salvation through Jesus. They were wise people, going to the Scriptures to verify the things Paul and Silas were saying to them. They did not base their beliefs on feelings or even on the things they were taught by others. They let the Bible tell them what was the truth and what was false teaching.
We cannot afford to base our beliefs and our lives on what others tell us- even solid Bible teachers who have studied the Bible for years. Every single person is fallible. We can all miss it and make mistakes.
Do not base what you believe solely on what your pastor or another spiritual leader tells you. Don’t even believe everything we tell you in these blogs without verifying it in the Bible. We, too, are learning and growing, and we can make mistakes. Go and study it out in the Bible. Ask Holy Spirit to show you the truth in the Word. But, remember, the Bible interprets itself. Do not base your beliefs on one verse or passage alone. Study and make sure it aligns with other Scriptures that pertain to the same topic. Let God confirm His Word with His Word.
If you are sitting under a pastor who seems to repeatedly misinterpret the Bible or teach only traditions and other things not taught in the Bible, it would be wise to find another pastor. An occasional error is not a huge issue because, like I said, we are all human and can miss it. However, one who is consistently teaching things that do not align with the Word or things that are just manmade doctrines and traditions that do not help us grow in our faith, is not someone we should allow to lead us in spiritual matters. A pastor or other minister should be diligent in their study of the Bible and thus should be accurate in their teaching. Doctrinal error on a continual basis is a red flag, and I would not remain under that person’s teaching or influence. Also, a single incorrect teaching on something of great importance to salvation is also a reason to remove yourself. For example, if someone teaches that Jesus is not God or is not the Son of God- that is huge error, and I would run from such falsehoods and those who teach them.
VERIFY EVERYTHING you are taught. We will all stand before God one day and give an account of our lives. We will stand alone- our pastor, Sunday school teacher, or other spiritual leader will not be there with us. We will answer for what we chose to believe and what we acted upon. If we base our beliefs and corresponding actions on what the Bible says and not only on what man says, we’ll be able to give a good account to the Lord.
