Testing Our Belief by the Word of God

The Call to Test What We Believe

The other night, while teaching the Discipleship Class at church, we discussed the importance of bible study, and some of the benefits of studying the word of God. During the discussion, false teachers and doctrines from differing denominations were addressed, raising the question of why denominations that claim to be Christian do not share the same beliefs. The quick answer is denominational theology, where people determine their beliefs and search the scripture to support them. There are many dangers associated with this method of "study," and in fact, it is not a study at all.

If we are to honestly ask, seek, and knock, as Jesus tells us to find the answers rooted in the truth of scripture, we MUST seek to find, not search to prove. We should measure our belief and understanding by the word of God, not the other way around. What will happen is that our faults, misconceptions, and misunderstandings about faith, the word, and truth will be corrected by God's word, and we will, in turn, grow in our understanding and belief and spiritually mature.

The Christian faith is not built on shifting traditions, denominational creeds, or the clever arguments of men. It is founded upon the eternal Word of God as revealed through the prophets, the apostles, and supremely through Jesus Christ Himself, who is unchanging. Scripture commands us not to simply accept everything we hear but to test it against God’s Word.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 “But examine all things; hold fast to that which is good.”

1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Our faith must be measured by the unchanging truth of Scripture. To neglect this testing is to open the door for deception, error, and ultimately destruction.

The Danger of False Teachers

Jesus Himself warned of this danger:

Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

False teachers rarely come declaring themselves openly. They clothe their error in partial truth, twist Scripture, or appeal to emotion and tradition rather than the Word of God. Paul warned Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:3–4 – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and will turn away their ear from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

When believers neglect the testing of doctrine by Scripture, they are vulnerable to being carried away by teachings that “tickle the ears” but destroy the soul.

Denominational Theology and the Traditions of Men

One of the greatest dangers in modern Christianity is the elevation of denominational distinctives and church traditions above the Word of God. Denominational creeds and systematic theologies can be useful for understanding, but when they become the standard of truth rather than Scripture, they lead to division and error.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for this very thing:

Mark 7:8 – “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

When the traditions of men—whether denominational, cultural, or historical—are elevated above the Word of God, believers can be led astray, exchanging divine truth for human reasoning.

Available now on Amazon.

Cherry-Picked Scriptures and Context

False doctrine often arises not from outright denial of Scripture but from misuse of it. Satan himself quoted Scripture to tempt Christ (see Matthew 4:6), twisting the Word out of context to deceive.

Peter warned that some distort Paul’s writings:

2 Peter 3:16 – “…in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

The danger of “cherry-picking” verses apart from their context is that it allows nearly any teaching to be justified. Sound interpretation requires comparing Scripture with Scripture, letting the whole counsel of God speak.

The Standard of Truth: Christ and the Apostles

The true measure of faith is not denominational consensus but the teaching of Christ and His apostles, recorded in Scripture.

Ephesians 2:19–20 – “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.”

Paul declared the sufficiency of Scripture:

2 Timothy 3:16–17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The church must never drift from this foundation. Any teaching that contradicts or goes beyond what is written must be rejected.

Application: Protecting Ourselves from Error

1. Examine All Teachings by the Word – Do not accept any doctrine, sermon, or book unless it aligns with the whole counsel of Scripture (Acts 17:11).

   
   

2. Avoid Man-Made Traditions – Do not cling to denominational creeds or traditions above the authority of God’s Word.

   
   

3. Grow in Knowledge of Scripture – Those weak in the Word are easily deceived (Hebrews 5:12–14). A mature believer discerns truth from error.

   
   

4. Stand Firm in Christ Alone – Our foundation is not men, movements, or denominations, but Christ crucified and risen.

   
   

The health of our faith depends on whether it is rooted in the unchanging Word of God or the shifting ideas of men. False teachers, false doctrines, denominational traditions, and cherry-picked Scriptures can all lead astray. But when we test every belief against the Word, holding fast to Christ and the apostolic truth, we remain firm and unshaken.

Galatians 1:8–9 – “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to the gospel we proclaimed to you, let him be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is proclaiming to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be accursed!”

Therefore, let us build our faith upon the foundation of Christ, the prophets, and the apostles, testing all things by Scripture, so that we may stand approved before God and protected from every falsehood.

Available NOW on Amazon.