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I Thessalonians 5:21 instructs us to "test [prove,
KJV] all things," which would include our old notions, and then
"hold fast" to the good ones—the ones that pass the test. A mistake many make is
to follow tenaciously the instruction of Revelation 3:11 to "hold fast to what we have" while
completely ignoring the additional instructions of I Thessalonians 5:21 to test first.
Experience proves that not all that we believe is truth,
even if held fast for forty years—a Sunday rather than a Monday Pentecost
is but one example. We have to test our beliefs continually and rigorously
against the only standard that counts—the Bible (Acts 5:29).
Human nature is lazy and takes the easy road at every opportunity. It will
rely on human reasoning, the word of others, or tradition rather than do the
hard work of studying the Bible and believing what it actually says. Human
nature also will not naturally do the humbling work of allowing the Bible and
its plain, unambiguous verses to prove matters rather than following humanly
devised ideas. The church's history over the last few decades displays the
fruits of taking doctrine
for granted rather than allowing clear scriptures to guide our understanding of
the truth.
Why do people have so many different opinions about what the Bible says?
Generally, people come to the Bible with preconceived ideas and latch on to any
scripture that seems to prove their belief. At the same time, they will
ignore or make light of a clear verse that obviously contradicts their
belief.
God
can use this as a test to determine the true intents of the heart. Where does
one's allegiance really lie? Will a person humbly submit to the clear
instructions of God, allowing them to lead him or her to create a true spiritual
foundation (Deuteronomy 8:2-3; Psalm 149:4)? Alternatively, will they choose instead to
hold on to their preconceptions or other ideas of men—their idols (Revelation 21:8)—desperately grasping at the straws of
unclear scriptures to build a shaky foundation?
When doctrinal disputes arise, if a person cannot or will not prove beliefs
using clear and unambiguous scriptures, that fact should raise a red flag. Clear
scriptures are a solid-rock foundation. Ambiguous scriptures, open to private
interpretation, lead to a foundation of sand. Only one of these foundations will
stand when storms come (Matthew 7:24-27).
— Pat Higgins
To learn more, see:
Praying Always (Part One)
Related Topics:
Doctrinal Changes
Doctrinal Disputes
Doctrinal Problems
Doctrine
Holding Fast
Human Nature
Human Nature, Perversity of
Human Reason
Proving
Proving All Things
Test all Things
Test the Spirits
Testing
Testing All Things
Testing the Scriptures
Testing the Spirits
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