“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Introduction
As Bible-believing Christians it is important for us to stand firm in our faith and in the doctrines of the word of God. The apostle Paul encourages us to be “Stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). This is the opposite to compromise, backsliding and being undisciplined in our daily lives.
Prove all things
This can be translated as “test all things.” Too many Christians are being deceived today because they accept everything they hear and read. It is vital that the acid test of all things is the word of God. That which does not line up fully with the Scriptures ought to be rejected. Those who do not read and study the Bible are not equipped to test doctrines and practices. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) … “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). “Those who are for laying aside reason in matters of revelation, resemble one who would put out his eyes in order to use a telescope” (John Locke).
Every preacher, prophet and teacher must be judged according to what the word of God states. “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee” (Deuteronomy 13:1-5) ... “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) … “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). “This is a needful caution, to prove all things; for, though we must put a value on preaching, we must not take things upon trust from the preacher, but try them by the law and the testimony” (Matthew Henry). “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:1-3). It should be plain enough that, according to these texts, every word spoken by those claiming to speak for God must be judged by God’s standard. “Try every advice by the touchstone of scripture” (John Wesley).
Hold fast
It is the believer’s responsibility to keep a
tight hold on the truth. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which
we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken
by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just
recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by
them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:1-3). How can the Lord be honoured if we
do not remain firm in our faith and His word? “Now
I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the
ordinances, as I delivered them to you” (1 Corinthians 11:2) … “Let us
hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that
promised;)” (Hebrews 10:23). This means that we must never let go of the
truth. “That ye may approve things that
are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ
… Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 1:10, 4:8). “Hold
fast that which is good - Zealously, resolutely, diligently practise it, in
spite of all opposition” (John Wesley).
Conclusion
In a day when there is much deception in the churches, we can see the great need for those who love the Lord to stand firm and solid in Him. Although some may try to hinder us from doing so, we must test all things by what is clearly stated in Scripture.
© 21/7/2008