Scriptural Admonishment
In the Bible, Acts 17:11b states the believers of Berea, "... received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those
things were so".
The "whether those things were so" is the process
of discernment. Discernment is perceiving the difference between two things; biblical truth and error. The Bible commands believers to discern differences between what they are taught, via
a preacher, teacher, a ministry or an author, to the scriptures.
Then we are commanded by "the Lord Jesus Christ to "judge
righteous judgment" John 7:24. He told a man, "Thou hast rightly judged" Luke 7:43. To others, our Lord asked, "Why even of
yourselves judge ye not what is right?" Luke 12:57. The Apostle Paul wrote, "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I
say" 1 Corin 10:15. Again, Paul declared, "He that is spiritual judgeth all things" 1 Corin 2:15. It is our positive duty
to judge."1
Through proper biblical judgment, God protects believers
from false teachings since Satan has three goals in leading people to:
DOUBT God's Word... "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall
not eat of every tree of the garden?" Gen 3:1
DENY God's Word... "Ye shall not surely die:"
Gen 3:4
DEIFY Man... "Ye shall be as gods," Gen 3:5
Satan is using the
same lies, as he used with Eve, to deceive people today; unbelievers and believers alike.
We are to "prove all things"
1 Thes 5:21. When there are differences, we are to reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine,
2 Timothy 4:2 in order to share truth to be heeded bringing about repentance and restoration.
Our loving God
commands believers to expose error in order to protect the flock. Doctrine is clearly laid out in the scriptures
and every contrary doctrine is to be exposed. The apostle Paul wrote to the preacher Timothy warning about
compromises and false teachers by name 10 different times in 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 1:15; 2:17; 3:8; 4:12, 14.
The Bible states we are to take heed as
to how we build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Only the works done according to the Word of God will abide
or last, 1 Corinthians 3:8-20 while all else will be burned up.
To avoid losing
rewards at the judgment seat of Christ, believers are not to pick and choose which commands and principles to
obey based on our own personal preference as we grow in grace. God is specific regarding the ways we are to worship,
serve and share His gospel, despite what people within popular ministries may be saying and doing.
Will all
of God's preserved Words be your final authority or what people say? May we not be like Saul who stated he
obeyed the voice of the Lord yet finally admitted he transgressed the commandment of the Lord and His words because he
feared the people choosing to obey their voice. 1 Samuel 15:22-25. May we believe and obey all of the scriptures
so we may do His will and not our own. Christine
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence
to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful
for me to write unto you,
and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered
unto the saints." Jude 1:3
1. Excerpt from IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? by David W. Cloud, 12/27/04; See IS LOVE CONTRARY TO JUDGING? by David W. Cloud, 1/13/05
