Prove All Things

"On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. " (1 Thessalonians 5:21 TM).

In 2Peter 2:1, the Apostle, tells us;

"But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves." (NLT).

A false teacher is different from a fake teacher. A fake teacher is not sent by anyone; he is here for his stomach(to make merchandise of the Gospel). A false teacher is sponsored by hell itself; to subtly deceive and bring believers to hell.

Bible warns us about being deceived:

"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. " (Matthew 24:4 KJV).

Apostle Paul warned the Colossian Church:

"I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments." (Colossians 2:4 NLT).

Being deceived and believing are similar, the main difference is; being deceived leads to eternal damnation while, believing leads to eternal life.

Pointers to avoid being deceived:

1. Study the Bible for yourself:

When I started studying the Bible, I discovered that most of the popular teachings were wrong. I discovered that most Pastors don't study; but, share what other Pastors preach; without verifying the teaching from the Bible.

Acts of the Apostles, talks about the Berea Christians;

"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." (Acts 17:11NKJV).

One of the responsibilities of a Pastor: is to train believers , on how to read and understand the Bible, and to ensure they cultivate the habit of reading/studyingthe Bible.

2. Learn to judge people's experiences with the Word of God:

Some Christians really love feeling special and it's not bad; but, Bible warns:

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3 NKJV).

These are the people who want to influence the way others do things; because, they had an experience(visions, dreams, nightmares, revelations) about Heaven or hell and saw things that are CLEARLY not in the sync with the Bible; yet, when shown what the Bible says about that; they still pridefully insist on what they experienced.

The Bible warns about such people:

"Let no one who delights in humility and the worship of angels pass judgment on you. That person goes on at great lengths about what he has supposedly seen, but he is puffed up with empty notions by his fleshly mind." (Colossians 2:18 NIV).

Be careful of Christians who don't care what the Bible says; but, prefer to share their experiences/testimonies about a Bible topic.

"If we accept [as we do] the testimony of men [if we are willing to take human authority], the testimony of God is greater (of stronger authority), for this is the testimony of God, even the witness which He has borne regarding His Son." (1 John 5:9 AMP).

Don't accept the testimony of men without checking what the Bible teaches about that topic.

Avoid teachings which exalt experiences over what the Bible actually teaches.

3. Bringing in definitions from previous Eras:

The era of Grace is all about FAITH and the works must be prompted by faith, not without faith.

The first church had this problem; where Paul calls some people "false brethren"

"Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; and this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage)," (Galatians 2:3-4 NKJV).

The false brethren came to insist on the Law and almost forced Titus to be circumcised.

That's how some Christians still insist on the Law today; when Christ has fulfilled and ended the Law.

"For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes." (Romans 10:4 NLT).

Don't live by the Law. even if you observe all the Law; you're still in sin and at risk of Hell.

"...whatever is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:23).

When you try to be righteous by observing the Law, you are not working by faith; therefore, you're in sin.

"For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God's righteousness." (Romans 10:3).

Submit yourself to God's righteousness; it can only come through walking by faith.

Kindly drop your questions in the comment box or Send it to my email:emmapyano@yahoo.com

God Bless You.