Focus: Acts 17:11-12 - KJV
11. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Isaiah 34:16
In the world today, many people are confused about the truth of the word of God. Some claim that the Bible is a scam and others say Christianity is an instrument of oppression. Some others yet are confused about whom they ought to believe. Most of these people have heard the word preached or maligned by evil people without them taking time to read and analyze the word themselves. Hence, like little children, they are driven to and fro with diverse opinion of others. The place of belief is truly from hearing. But in the world of manipulations, it is better to solidify faith through verification by reading the word ourselves to check what we have been told, since it is available.
Jesus Christ did not ask anyone to take His preaching or teaching on the face value. He referred them to the things written in their laws and their prophets for validation of what He said. He was twelve when He engaged teachers on the scripture. When He began ministry, He read Isaiah to their hearing and told them of the confirmation thereof. When the Apostles/Disciples continued in the same style, the people in Berea did not take their word for it. They interrogated it from scripture and accepted when they found it true.
That opposition that you hold about doctrines, is it because someone sold to you the negative idea or because you verified it yourself from the scripture? God is asking that we verify and find Him true anytime anyone presents Him to us or disparages Him before us. For if we fail to verify, we may become guilty of joining the multitude to do evil. It is better we get separated from evildoers by ensuring we test all spirits and hold on to that which is true. It does not matter who presents anything to you, even if everyone follows it doggedly, please verify the truth or otherwise, by reading it up yourself, meditatively.
Please pray:
Thank you, father for the little that you have made me to know about you and the grace to be able to read to gain more insight. Do not let me receive false teaching or doctrine in my heart that will cause me to offend you, ever, in Jesus’ name. Do not let your Spirit of wisdom depart from me so that at all times He may teach me all things and bring to my remembrance those things the Lord had taught us, in Jesus’ name. Even as I read and meditate on your word, please expose to me the deep truth therein, in Jesus’ mighty name.
Please share with others. God bless you.
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