Read And Understand The Bible Yourself

 

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Galatians 1:6-9 

 Nearly all of my favorite Bible preachers and teachers have been wrong in one way or another at some point. It is usually not a doctrinal item, but some strange take on a portion of scripture or an extra-biblical view not found in scripture. 

  I grew up in a Baptist Church where the Bible was considered the unadulterated word of God, a God-breathed text that alone held truth and everything needed for salvation in Jesus. 

  It is no wonder my ears perk up when some bit of un-Biblical nonsense is included in a sermon or Bible teaching. Years ago, I went toe-to-toe with a pastor I much respected because he was trying to teach a bit of nonsense that contradicted scripture. I pointed him to the Holy Scripture as the truth, he pointed me to our denomination’s teaching material that was useless and untrue. 

  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 

  It is vital that you read the Bible yourself. How can you measure the truth of what anyone is telling you unless you have a standard to measure that truth by? 

  Read and listen to God’s word yourself and you will never be led astray by false teachings or un-Biblical nonsense. 

  By knowing God’s word, you can be kept safe from false teachers and have a strong foundation to build your life upon. No one is weak who has a well read Bible. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, in all things remind us of the truth found in Your Word. It will keep us safe and wise in a world of untruths. Amen.