True or False?

While in school, I disliked taking True or False quizzes. The obvious reason of course was that I did not know the answers (and it did not help when some of the statements were just plain tricky). As I think back I realize I would not have minded the quizzes as much had I been prepared. Of course, the only way to be prepared for such quizzes is to be familiar with the subject, and this requires study. 

In a similar way, it is important for those who listen to Bible teachers/preachers to be familiar with God’s Word. Why? Because not every teacher or preacher is preaching truth. This problem is nothing new. Jesus warned us to “watch out for false prophets” (Mt. 7:15). The Apostle Paul addressed false teachers on more than one occasion during his ministry (see 2 Cor. 11; Gal. 2; 1 Tim. 1, 6). In fact, when writing to Timothy, Paul instructed Timothy to confront the false teachers in the church at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3). He went on to describe false teachers as “conceited” and understanding “nothing” (1 Tim. 6:4). The Apostle Peter also had to confront false teachers (2 Pet. 2).

False teachers are just as prevalent today. Although I do not believe all false teachers are intentionally misleading people the fact remains that they are still not teaching truth. Recently while reflecting on the issue of false teachers in the church something occurred to me: Christians must validate the teaching they receive by the Word of God. We must not simply take a Bible teacher/preacher’s word as truth unless it aligns with the Word of God. This requires personal time in the Word which includes reading, meditating on, studying, and memorizing God’s Word. The Apostle Paul challenged Timothy to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). The Apostle Peter counseled: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2). The Apostle John issued this challenge: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). When listening to Bible teachers/preachers it is imperative for us to be prepared so that we might discern whether their teaching is true or false.