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Search It Out
I've been thinking about something in particular lately, quite a bit. It's actually more of an observation, I suppose, about people and how we react to things that we're taught. One of the things I've noticed is that we have this tendency to believe whatever it is that we're told, if we feel that it's coming from a person with authority, or if it's coming from someone whom we trust. For example, let's say that your doctor gives you a certain diagnosis. Well, as far as we're concerned, that's exactly what we've got, nevermind all of the misdiagnosis that occur. If your teacher tells you that something is fact, well, who are we to argue it? The teacher is the one with all the education and teaching us, right? Likewise, if you have a preacher, and they're teaching a certain stance on scripture, then surely they'd know better than we would, right? That's their calling, and what they've been doing for probably years now, right? Well, not necessarily... There are a lot of people who will tell you a lot of different things. It's very likely that these people are well-meaning when they do so, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the things they're telling you are right. It's important that we always search things out for ourselves. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't listen to someone else's input and advice, because likely they have some very valid things to say. But then, perhaps they are teaching you something that instead will lead your further away from the truth. So no matter who it is that you're listening to - it could be your preacher, it could be your personal spiritual advisor, or even your best friend who's input you highly value, your parents, your spouse - it could be anyone, it doesn't matter, just don't automatically take what they say as fact if it's possible that it's just opinion. Don't take the words of people in positions of authority, or positions of trust, to heart if it's possible that it could be inaccurate, even just partially. That's how deception works best, actually. It's not always 100% fiction. It works best when it's 2/3 truth and only 1/3 lie, because when you recognize the truth in there, it's more likely that you will accept the lie. It's harder to detect it and really pick it out. This doesn't necessarily mean these people are intending it to be a lie, as they could be mistaken themselves. Always, always, always search out the answers first. Search it out in scripture, and take it to God in prayer. You might be surprised at how many teachings are in the Church that's not really Biblical. There are thousands of different denominations who all have different opinions on certain things, and even within each of the denominations there are so many people who still have all these differences of opinion. They can't all be right, can they? Not when there are so many differences in doctrinal matters. So, instead of going to man to clear up questions on these issues, and instead of taking what man has to preach as gospel, why not take it to God? Why not take it to the One Who can really answer all of the questions that we have? Why not look and see what it is that His word really has to say, and not just what people tell you that it says? Check it out and read it to see what it really says. |