What steps can believers take to ensure they follow true biblical teachings? Setting the Stage: Jeremiah 29:9 “For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name. I have not sent them, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 29:9) False teaching was not just an Old Testament problem. It is a consistent threat that Scripture warns about from Genesis to Revelation. The verse above sounds the alarm so believers can take action. Recognize the Risk of Deception • False voices often claim divine authority • They use the Lord’s name to gain credibility • God Himself exposes and rejects them • Awareness of the danger is the first safeguard (Matthew 7:15-16) Anchor Every Belief to the Written Word • Scripture is God-breathed and fully reliable (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • God’s Word never changes; it corrects and steadies hearts (Psalm 119:105) • Measure every sermon, podcast, book, or post against clear biblical text • Refuse to build doctrine on feelings, trends, or personalities Embrace the Berean Model “Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.” (Acts 17:11) Practical outworking: • Open Bible in hand during teaching • Compare notes afterward, verse by verse • Study daily, not merely weekly • Value eagerness and examination equally Test the Spirits and the Fruit “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1) • Evaluate a message’s source and content • Observe the teacher’s character and lifestyle • Check whether the teaching produces repentance, obedience, and love • Dismiss anything that contradicts clear Scripture, no matter how impressive the messenger Value Sound Doctrine Over Popular Opinion • Culture changes; truth does not (Isaiah 40:8) • Even angelic visions are rejected if they counter the gospel (Galatians 1:8-9) • Popularity can never certify orthodoxy • Seek teaching that exalts Christ, not human achievement Seek the Guidance of the Holy Spirit • The Spirit of truth leads believers into all truth (John 16:13) • Prayerful dependence sharpens discernment • The Spirit never contradicts the Word He inspired Stay Planted in a Faithful Local Church • A biblically ordered congregation provides shepherding (Hebrews 13:17) • Corporate worship, preaching, and ordinances keep believers grounded • Isolation increases vulnerability to error • Mutual exhortation guards against drift (Hebrews 10:24-25) Cultivate Humble Accountability • Invite trusted brothers and sisters to speak into your life • Share study insights and check conclusions together • “With many counselors comes deliverance.” (Proverbs 11:14) • Humility welcomes correction; pride resists it Hold Fast to the Gospel • Christ’s substitutionary death and bodily resurrection remain central (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) • Any teaching that dilutes or adds to the gospel must be rejected • Keep the cross and the empty tomb at the heart of every doctrine Summing Up: A Lifelong Posture of Discernment Believers stay grounded in true biblical teaching by recognizing the danger of deception, clinging to the infallible Word, examining all claims like Bereans, testing spirits and fruit, esteeming sound doctrine over popularity, walking in the Spirit, remaining under faithful church leadership, practicing humble accountability, and holding fast to the gospel. Continuous vigilance, anchored in Scripture, equips the church to resist false voices and live in the freedom of truth. |
    |