Biblical Verification

 Biblical Verification

These were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

ACTS 17.11

The Berean Christians were commended by Paul for not only enthusiastically receiving the word, but also for examining the Scripture for themselves to see whether or not his message was true. Their example still stands as a pattern for “noble-minded” people.

There are two extremes in the modern church. There are those who believe everything they hear. And there are those who don’t believe anything they hear unless they already have heard and come to believe it. Both extremes are a mistake.

When you hear a teaching that is unfamiliar to you and you aren’t sure what to think, don’t immediately accept or reject it based on your present understanding. Go to the Scriptures for yourself and study to see whether the things you have heard are so.

The Spirit of Christ lives in you and will guide you into the truth if your heart and mind are open to Him. Believe what the Holy Spirit shows you, and the truth becomes yours. Otherwise the most you can do is to parrot what somebody else has said. As one in whom Truth lives, you are capable of much more than that.