Every statement examined

Whether it's verbal, written, or in wordless ways, every statement that someone puts forth as TRUTH should be cross-examined by the entirety of the Bible.

This is to prevent false beliefs from being accepted as truth.

This assumes that you and I have examined closely other belief systems and their sacred teachings and have found them NOT to be on the genuine spiritual level as the Bible. Mark 7:3-4, 9-13; Acts 17:16, 18-23; Colossians 2:8, 16, 18, 20-23; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Revelation 2:14-15, 20, 24

So, if someone believes that the Bible is useful because of its Author, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

then if a statement goes against what the Bible teaches on a subject, shouldn't we reject it and find the real truth?

It's easy to become lazy in any realm.

If we eat too much of the wrong kinds of food and don't exercise, our physical bodies may suffer from it.

Paul wrote,

By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed. 1 Timothy 4:6

Notice that to be a good servant of Christ Jesus, we need the nourishment of words of faith and sound instruction.

But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7

We train ourselves for godliness with words of faith and sound instruction. Why do this?

For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

Some of us might lean toward being lazy spiritually and accept blindly what pastors and other ministers say is true because after all,

"Hey, they're the preachers. They get paid to teach us. They know what's right."

That sounds like it's coming from someone who can handle only milk because they're spiritual babies, no matter what their natural age is.

Paul wrote this about an entire church.

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food.

In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still worldly.

For since there is jealousy and dissension [arguments] among you, are you not worldly?

Are you not walking in the way of man? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Part of godliness 1 Timothy 4:8 is to search the Bible to make sure that what is stated, IS the truth.

Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men. Acts 17:11-12

WHOSE REPORT DO WE WANT TO BELIEVE? Isaiah 53:1; Romans 10:16-17

Does the statement communicate the truth from the Scriptures?

Or is it part truth but within its place, its context, it becomes false because it MISREPRESENTS what God the Father wants?

As many have said, 

"Lies ride in on the back of truth."

Another problem, which may be common unfortunately, is that the statement twists the truth 2 Peter 3:16 to share what someone wants to say, NOT what is, "Thus says the Lord."

Another way to look at this is, to examine carefully each word of a statement.

Is each word DEFINED correctly by the whole counsel of the Bible?

Or do we let human traditions, Mark 7:5-13 whether from formal religions or informal spirituality, tell us what a word means?

FALSE and PERVERSE DOCTRINES ARE DANGEROUS

Paul told elders from a church, Acts 20:17

I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Acts 20:29

How do savage wolves dressed in sheep's clothing Matthew 7:15-20 destroy people? 

Mostly through their false teachings. 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Peter 2:1-2; Jude v.4; Revelation 2:20, 24

Some do it for dishonorable financial gain Titus 1:10-11 as they exploit others through deceptive words. Romans 16:17-18; 2 Peter 2:3

Paul continued his message to those elders and said,

Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:30

How careful should we be?

Can you and I examine and then know that what some proclaim is another gospel? Galatians 1:6-9 This would be a false gospel.

Can you and I examine and then know when another Jesus is communicated? 2 Corinthians 11:4 This would be a false Christ. Matthew 24:24

If not, let's dig into the whole Bible. Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Paul did it and said,

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. [people]

For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God. Acts 20:26-27 

Let's take the time to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. John 16:13

The Father's word is truth. John 17:17

Let's NOT be afraid to use the Bible to cross-examine ANY statement that claims to be His truth. Acts 17:10-12

We CAN grow up into the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:13 

We can desire His sincere milk of the word 1 Peter 2:1-3 and mature continuously enough to also handle His solid food. Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 5:14

Your thoughts?

R. Jason