Don't Believe Everything You Hear

"The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps." (Pr. 14:15)

When it comes to things that pertain to the Bible, many have a belief that is based upon what someone has told them, whether that is a parent, preacher, pastor, etc. But we are being naive if we believe everything someone might tell us, regardless of how much respect we have for that person.

Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica, "do no despise prophetic utterances." (1 Th. 5:20) That is, do not despise the things that have been revealed by God. Today we have these prophetic utterances contained in Scripture. He then told them, "But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." (1 Th. 5:21-22) If we do not examine carefully the things we are taught, we despise the word of God by blindly accepting what man has said instead of testing those things according to God's word.

The Bereans were commended for their attitude when Paul came and preached to them. They were described as "noble-minded", because they were "examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11) They were not naive and did not just blindly accept what Paul was saying. They made sure what he taught was right, then they accepted it. But not because Paul said it, but because it was the truth.

Do not accept what anyone teaches in matters of religion simply because they said it, no matter who they are. "Examine everything carefully" (1 Th. 5:21) and do so according to the infallible standard of the word of God. Do not be naive. Do not despise the word of God. Rather, examine the Scriptures daily to determine what is the truth.