Weighing Every Idea, Notion,
Philosophy, and Teaching
Against the One Holy Standard

JUST because the apostle Paul was teaching, didn’t negate the need for the Berean saints to judge EVERYTHING against God’s written Word.

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11

Just why did the LORD pronounce His blessed approval on these disciples in the town of Berea? Why did He say that they were “noble”?

• in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and
  
• searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (They diligently searched God’s Word and they compared all teachings to the Holy Scriptures.)

Acts 17:11 reveals much. Here’s a sampling:

1. The disciples in Berea were said to be “more noble” by God due to their diligence to put all things to the acid test of Scripture instead of being gullible prey for wolves. Are you “noble” in the LORD’s eyes?
2. The regular believers were able to test the apostle Paul to see if he was true or false by the Final Authority of the written Word of God.
3. Paul was a true man of God and so didn’t object to their putting him to the test. He had nothing to hide and truly magnified Christ above himself and all else.
4. All messages, no matter the reputation of the one communicating them, are to be put to the test to see if they align with or violate Holy Scripture.
5. These Bereans were teachable but not gullible.
6. The Berean Christians were diligent in God’s Word. They “searched the scriptures daily.“

The “more noble” Berean saints didn’t take Paul at his Word because they took God at His Word. Therefore all men and their doctrines had to be tested against the final authority of God’s written Word (Acts 17:10-11).They lived by the words uttered by Paul: “Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4)

ALL must be weighed against the WORD. “Let GOD be true and EVERY man a liar.” (Romans 3:4)

“NOBLE”: His Spirit gave us His Word which He will never contradict (Acts 17:10-11).

Discussing God’s Word: WHEN believers are having a discussion, we shouldn’t tout our “credentials.” Divine authority is in God’s Word and not us or our supposed resume’. Most of the time when people tout their credentials, it’s to cover for their lack of knowledge of God’s Word and to defend lies. Furthermore, many Bible college and seminarians are not necessarily very knowledgeable in God’s Word and that’s what matters when we are sorting out divine truth. Just because you have “formal training” means nothing. In fact, you may wish to go before the LORD in prayer and openly denounce all the “trophies” which only hinder us. Paul violently denounced his so-called “higher learning.” (Philippians 3)

“What Saith the Scriptures?” is ALWAYS the Noble and Right Question (Acts 17:10-11).

WHEN asked questions by their audiences, so many ministries/ministers today go into mere human reasoning and conjecture instead of STRICTLY, HONESTLY, DILIGENTLY QUOTING GOD’S WORD! Beware! Discern! (Acts 17:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17, etc.) That’s a false ministry! Oh, and some of you reading these very words are supporting such!

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

Are you in God’s Word daily? Do you awake in the morning and get directly into the Word of God? Victory will never come to your personal life until you do friend.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. ¹⁷ And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; ¹⁸ Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” 2 Timothy 2:15-18

So, you count it inconvenient to get up early and seek God? What if Jesus would have considered it inconvenient to come die for you?

ALL who remain too lazy to diligently study God’s Word for themselves prove they do not love Christ or truth and will be sent “strong delusion” and “damned.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Have you memorized Acts 17:11 yet so that you can meditate upon it and share it with others? Here it is again:

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11

LOOK at Bible learning as a life long adventure you work on daily.

Personally knowing the truth is essential to discerning what is a lie.

“Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” Isaiah 7:15

Daily eating the “Butter and honey” of divine truth is essential to detecting and refusing “the evil” falsehoods Satan perpetrates through modern “Christian” authors, pastors, prophets, and leaders of all kinds.

The apostle Paul warned us:

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: ⁷ Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. ⁸ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:6-8

It is clear from the above passage that being rooted and grounded in Christ, who is the Truth, is a must for being able to spot falsehoods.

THE BIBLE TEACHES US THAT BEING GULLIBLE IS A CURSE AND NOT A CHRISTIAN VIRTUE. AS A DISCIPLE OF JESUS, YOU ARE COMMANDED TO TEST ALL TEACHINGS, EMBRACE ONLY BIBLICAL TRUTH, AND REJECT AND “HATE EVERY FALSE WAY.” (PSALMS 119:104, 128)

“The simple (gullible) believeth every word: but the prudent (Godly, wise) man looketh well to his going.” Proverbs 14:15

Any leader who is not teaching you how to discern, is a false leader (Ezekiel 44:23-24).

“Prove (test) all things; hold fast (keep) that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

All who lead must be discerned “by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-23) In fact, we disobey God by not putting all leaders to the test just like the Bereans tested Paul and his message.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Now, how do we test all teachers and teachings? -By comparing what is taught to God’s Word.

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

RED FLAG: You attend a “church” and aren’t digging into, devouring, and memorizing God’s Word daily. Backslidden!

God’s Word cannot and will not get into you until you get into it!

If anything is more important to you than knowing the LORD through studying His Word, you are not ready to meet Jesus.

Are you a glutton for the truth? Are you “valiant for the truth”? (Jeremiah 9:3)

The divine fuel for the joy of the LORD which is your strength is the WORD. Are you throwing logs on that fire today? Devour! (Jeremiah 15:16; Job 23:12; 1 Peter 2:2)

“Why Did God Give Us His Word?

“Cry Aloud, Spare Not, Lift Up Thy Voice Like a Trumpet” [podcast]

Naming Names: Is It Biblical?