Eric’s Life Lesson # 452: Who am I listening to?

“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 BSB)

“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” (1 John 4:1 NLT)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Years ago the Lord used a prominent TV Bible teacher to shake up my traditions and challenge my understanding of a few things. He opened my eyes to Truths that have greatly expanded my horizons and improved my life.

This teacher said things that weren’t in line with the “doctrinal statement” that I had been given by my Church and Bible College training. He was definitely outside of my box. He was considered “deceived” by many around me and even “heretical” by a few of those that I had been following. Here is the interesting thing that I learned.

I remember asking those whom I respected why they were warning me not to listen to him. Their answer would be to give me a quote from him that appeared to be in error. I asked them where they got the quote. Was it firsthand from him or secondhand from someone else? I also asked if they had taken the time to investigate what was actually said. In each and every case the warning was based on secondhand information with no verification of accuracy.

I decided to see for myself, so I read his books, watched his TV programs, and listened to his tapes. Then I compared what he said to Scripture and to the “quotes” that shaped the understanding of those that were basing their opinions solely on secondhand information. Guess what?

In almost every case the secondhand quote was either taken out of context, misquoted, or fabricated. In the few instances that the quote was accurately shared, while it disagreed with what I had been taught, I found it to be a better understanding of Scripture in that area than that of those who had taught me.

I have taken this approach to discerning what I see and hear for many years. If I believe the Lord is speaking into my life through someone else (especially if I am being bombarded with secondhand information against that person) I will take the time to get the information firsthand. When I come across secondhand information that is coming against someone that is an influence in my life I do my best to go straight to the “horses mouth.” Then I go to Scripture to “test the message” and “try the spirit” behind the message. Guess what?

After years of doing this I am still amazed at how inaccurate secondhand information is. I am also still appalled by how much of this secondhand information appears to be purposely designed to slander and attack the one quoted.

Don’t believe me? Prove me wrong. Take the time to check it out for yourself. It will cost you time and energy, but it will be worth the cost. Let me ask you what I ask myself…