Musick-al Note # 199
Many issues are facing the church today. Years ago, those who taught doctrines contrary to the truth would leave the body of Christ, taking with them such supporters as would listen and build groups after their persuasion. Today, however, such teachers are willing to hide their true identity while staying within the framework of the church in order to persuade more and more to follow their leading. It is an awesome task to distinguish the true from the false because of the smoothness with which these teachers work and the naïve-ness of the brethren. We tend to think the best of people. We give the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. One might say it is an excellent field in which to promote error.
The question is: “How can I distinguish or how can I be sure that what is taught is truth? Every Christian should listen with awareness whether those things are actually in the Scriptures or not. The Bereans searched the Scriptures in checking Paul’s preaching (Acts 17:11). John exhorted us to “try the spirits, whether they are of god, for many false prophets are among the people” (1 John 4:1). Peter also admonished the teachers to be true, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11). But, someone says, they do quote scripture and how shall I know they are handling them as they should? One thing that is of help to men in this matter is to question if whether the doctrine is reasonable or not. God is a reasonable God and has given man a reasonable book to guide us (John 20:31-32), so any resulting doctrines will also be reasonable and expects man to follow truth (John 8:32, John 17:2-3). If a teaching takes too much explaining, too much construction, too much interpretation, too much exposition and too much rationalization – beware! Our God is able to reveal His will to man in simple, reasonable statements which need no interpretation, just believe and obey them to the saving of your soul. It is unreasonable to think that God would reveal His Word, intending to deceive those to whom He loves and wishes to save. The apostles were told by Jesus himself that they would know all truth and would be able to teach it to His followers (John 16:13-15). Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and the only way to get to heaven (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). We should follow him openly and faithfully, believing the Word and obeying Him.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 