PROVE ALL THINGS

Jay Yeager

"Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good” (1Thessalonians 5:21). In recent years, our homes have been flooded with people waving Bibles over their heads promising salvation to the viewer as a prayer is offered (which supposedly places one in a right relationship with God), then pleading for money that will enable them to remain on television to squeeze out every last dollar that they can seduce people to send.  That the Bible lends not a shred of evidence to support such a claim, neither hinders them from saying it, nor the people from believing it. “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you ...” (2Peter 2:3).

Denominations exist in virtually every city in our country crying “join the church of your choice”, creating rivalry between themselves as they compete with one another to attract the largest crowd by offering entertainment for the youth, the singles, the married couples. The worship service becomes a circus aimed at pleasing those present rather than reverence toward God. Each claim to preach the truth and at the same time contradict each other and the Bible.

However, practically all denominations do have some things in common. They have invented their own name, they engage in what they want, when they want it. Yet, each says with a straight face, Christ is the head of their church. Now, I am not being harsh or unkind. Denominational preachers know this as well as I do. The only difference is that I will say it, and they will not. But whether they admit it or not, the truth is obvious for all to see.

The reality of false teachers comes as no surprise to students of the scriptures, for the Bible plainly promise that many will depart from the truth. Hear the apostle Paul as he wrote by inspiration:

“For many walk of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19).

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2Timothy 4:3-4)

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth” (1Timothy 4:1-3).

Perhaps there would be some justification for us to fall prey to such deceivers if God had not provided a revelation to man, or if God’s revelation was insufficient or incomplete. But hear it! None of those things are true! The Bible is God’s communication to man (1Corinthians 2:10-13; 1Thessalonians 2:13; 2Peter 1:21 et. al.). The Bible is all-sufficient (2Timothy 3:16-17; 2Peter 1:3). The Bible is complete (Galatians 1:8-9; Jude 3; 2John 9; Revelation 22:18-19).

Therefore, it only stands to reason, if we fail and are lost at last, it will be due to our refusal to “Prove all things”. God does not expect us to believe that that which is without evidence to warrant our faith. God demands that we believe that Jesus Christ is His only begotten Son, then provides evidence to make that faith possible (John 20:31). He demands that we repent of our sins (Acts 17:30), then reveals what Godly repentance is (2Corinthians 7:9-10). He demands that we confess Christ before men (Matthew 10:32-23), then lets us hear the good confession (Acts 8:36-37). He demands that we obey the command to be baptized, then reveals why and how (Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-5). As a result, the Lord adds to the church (Acts 2:47) – His church, His body, His kingdom (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18; 1:13).

 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1Thessalonians 5:21).