What steps can we take to verify teachings align with God's word, per Jeremiah 23:37? Key Verse “Thus you are to say to the prophet: ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and ‘What has the LORD spoken?’” (Jeremiah 23:37) Why These Two Questions Matter • God insists that every claim to speak for Him be checked against what He has actually said. • The verse gives us a simple, two-part filter: 1. What answer has God already given in His written Word? 2. What fresh message (if any) is truly His, and does it match that written Word? • False prophets in Jeremiah’s day twisted Scripture; the remedy was to go back to the source. The same remedy works now. Practical Steps for Testing Every Teaching 1. Return to the Text First • Open your Bible before you open your mind. • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” • If a teaching cannot be plainly located in Scripture, set it aside. 2. Examine the Context, Not Just the Quote • Read the surrounding verses, the chapter, even the book. • 2 Timothy 2:15—be “a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 3. Compare Scripture with Scripture • Let clear passages interpret the obscure (2 Peter 1:20–21). • Notice recurring themes; God does not contradict Himself. 4. Test the Spirits • 1 John 4:1—“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” • Ask: Does this teaching elevate Christ, promote holiness, and match the gospel? 5. Hold Fast to the Good, Reject the False • 1 Thessalonians 5:21—“but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” • Keep what aligns with Scripture; discard what doesn’t, no matter how popular. 6. Check the Gospel Core • Galatians 1:8—if any messenger preaches “a gospel other than the one we preached … let him be under a curse!” • A doctrine that distorts grace, the cross, or Christ’s deity is automatically false. 7. Observe the Fruit • Matthew 7:16—“By their fruit you will recognize them.” • Sound teaching produces repentance, love, and obedience, not confusion or license to sin. 8. Consult Faithful Teachers, Not Trendsetters • Ephesians 4:11-14 describes mature leaders who guard against “every wind of doctrine.” • Look for a proven track record of fidelity to Scripture. 9. Embrace the Berean Attitude • Acts 17:11—The Bereans “examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.” • A noble mind keeps searching the Word, even after hearing solid preaching. 10. Rely on the Spirit’s Illumination • John 16:13—“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” • Ask Him to anchor you to the literal, intended meaning of the text. Staying Grounded Long-Term • Establish a daily habit of reading entire books of the Bible, not just verses. • Memorize key passages so counterfeit ideas stand out quickly. • Use reliable study tools that honor the authority of Scripture. • Stay plugged into a church that preaches the Word expositionally. • Keep humility; be willing to adjust when Scripture corrects you. When we consistently ask, “What has the LORD answered?” and “What has the LORD spoken?” we safeguard ourselves and others from error, honor the Author of truth, and ensure every teaching we embrace glows with the unmistakable light of God’s own Word. |
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