“Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?” (1 Corinthians 6:3). How does one “try” Bible teachers? By comparing what they say with what the Bible says! Let no one intimidate or lay a “guilt trip” on you for doing what the Bible says! We are to make evaluations, judgments, and determinations of those things we are being taught. “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars” (Revelation 2:2–3). Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed asthe ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works.” First John 4:1 warns, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Second John 10 goes so far as to warn, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed!” In other words, we do not even need to be “nice” to false ministers! Strong words, these! With all these warnings, why do we not heed them? Back in the book of Revelation, the church at Ephesus was commended for trying or testing certain teachers. We are cautioned in 2 Corinthians 11:14–15: “And no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. The apostle Peter said the same thing in different words: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). The apostle John warns likewise, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Turn over to Matthew 24:11 and read Christ’s own answer: “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” He goes on to say in verse 24, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The apostle Paul warns, “Let no man deceive you by any means” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). This brings up the question, “Why would anyone want to deceive me?” Glad you asked. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are warned in Jude 3–4: “arnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jesus Christ Himself warned repeatedly, “Take heed lest any man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4 Mark 13:5). Cast it away in favor of sound biblical truth. The implication here is that if something is not good-if you have been misled into believing a false doctrine-do not hold on to it. The Bible itself admonishes us to “Prove all things hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). If you are correct, you have nothing to fear-but what if you are mistaken? Why is this? Are we to be paranoid and doubt everything we were taught? Could we be mistaken in some of our cherished beliefs? Just because a man or an organization is considered “holy” and sincere, does that make them right? Friends, you need to blow the dust off your Bible and check these things out for yourself. It this true? Can you prove it from your own Bible? We should have a Bible reason for everything we believe, and take no man’s word for it, nor any church organization’s word for it-no matter how sincere and trusted they may be-until we have proven it for ourselves out of our own Bibles. Millions of people turn to Luke 16, the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, to substantiate their belief that we have an immortal soul and that Lazarus is in heaven right now waiting for our arrival…unless, of course, you go to “the other place” where the rich man is. Do you have an immortal soul? Is Lazarus in heaven this very moment waiting for you? Millions claim that you do and he is! Can you prove it from your Bible?
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