When I was a young girl, my friends and I often played a game called “Telephone”. We’d line up, and the first person would whisper a phrase into the ear of the person next to him or her. Then that person would repeat that same phrase into the ear of the next person in line, and so forth, until finally, the last person would receive the whispered phrase, and then repeat it aloud to the group. The end results were often hysterical as many times the recite phrases were nothing like the originals! Fortunately, the original phrase was always written down to compare the last person’s response to the original.
While studying Titus 1 today, I was reminded of this game when I read verse 9: “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” I need to remember what I have learned from the Bible, and use that as my standard by which to compare teachings that are presented to me by others.
There are many different “Interpretations” of the Bible, even when adhering to one version of the Bible. We get those interpretations via the messages presented in sermons, Sunday school classes, Bible college lectures, devotional study books, Bible commentaries, religious podcasts, even blogs like this one! This is not to say that those presenting the messages are deliberately trying to deceive, but we must all recognize that we are human and have our own unique experiences that influence what we share in the teachings of God’s Word as well as our own way of mentally interpreting what we hear!
This is not a new phenomenon. In Acts 17, Luke wrote about the Bereans. These individuals had the right idea. Verse 11 states, “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.” The Bereans compared what they heard preached to them with the Scriptures to know whether or not the message was of God or men. They were considered “more noble” and verse 12 tells us that “many of them believed”. They accepted their personal responsibility to take what they heard and ascertain whether or not it was aligned with the Word of God.
Many of us hold to the erroneous belief that if someone is standing in the front of the room teaching, i.e., pastor, teacher, author, etc., that the individual is absolutely correct in what they say. We must remember that only God is 100% correct in what He says. Humanity is tainted by sin… even those of us who are saved! We are still in fleshly tabernacles, influenced by our carnality in every area of our lives. Therefore, it is critical that each student, each listener… each person… compare what they are being taught to the Scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to verify the validity of the messages.
Never assume that a person who seems to be knowledgeable in God’s Word and is sharing from their heart is 100% correct. Be like the Bereans! Search the Scriptures yourself and compare the spoken words of man to the written words of God. If they are in agreement, you will know that God’s Word has been appropriately shared. If they are misaligned, you can respectfully and privately ask the presenter to help you understand. You may have misunderstood something or there may have been an error in the presentation. Pray and ask the Lord to show you His truth. He will always answer that prayer!
We must determine to stand firm on the actual Word of God, not a facsimile or a vague representation. There is too much at stake to settle for a “good replica” of the Bible. It is only by referring to the genuine article that we can glean the truth that God has provided for us!
The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that’s the book for me, I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E. The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that’s the book for me, I rest my soul on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E. (from “The B-I-B-L-E” - author unknown)
“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
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Jesus said it is the Holy Ghost who brings His words to our remembrance. If we never put those words into our hearts, the Spirit doesn’t have much with which to work. Take time today to read the Bible. Become a modern day Berean!