Verse of the Day Devotion: Acts 17:11
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” – Acts 17:11
Paul and Silas, and their fellow travelers went to Thessalonica, spending time reasoning with the Jews in the synagogue. “explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, this Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” Acts 17:3. This was standard procedure for Paul, always going to the Jews first to try and convince them of the truth prior to going out to the gentiles. He spent three Sabbaths trying to convince them. However, in the next couple of verses we read, “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people.” Acts 17:4-5.
After all this, the brethren sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they found the Bereans to be noble minded, more so than the Thessalonians. However, there was something they discovered about them that was more important. They received the word with great eagerness, not just accepting what had been told them, but they examined the scriptures to ensure what they were told was truth. And because of this, “Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.” Acts 17:12
I want to encourage everyone to be as the Bereans were. It is important that we verify teachings we are unsure of, verifying that what they say is scriptural and accurate. There are many teachers and preachers in the world who teach what the people want to hear, rather then teaching them what God wants them to hear. This can be in the form of sermons, teachings, books, videos, essentially any format we use to study and learn from. Do not accept every teaching you hear, even from those who are popular preachers and teachers. Also, there are many people that are not well known, but have a solid understanding of the word. We should check them out as well.
There is no need to check everything out, just those teachings you are not sure of. If there is no question of its truth, then good. You have already validated the teaching and found it to be true. The main idea is to grasp the truth and let go of what is not. We cannot allow ourselves or others around us to be deceived into believing a false teaching. We should also spend time reading the scriptures on a regular basis, studying His word to become so familiar with it we will quickly see error if it exists.
Take the time to check anything teaching that does not sound right. For not only will you protect yourself from false teaching, you will also be able to assist others who may find themselves believing a false teaching. Both of these are important in the work God has called us to.
William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.