Articles
Study to Show Yourself Approved. 2 Timothy 2:15
As we are looking at lessons and Bible study material or navigating the internet to listen to
speakers on videos or podcasts, we need to be on guard that what we are hearing is accurate and
is the truth based on God’s word.
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the
grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently
some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But
even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to
you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is
preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse”
(Galatians 1:6-9)!
No matter who is presenting the message that you may hear, each of us is ultimately
responsible to make sure that what is being taught is in accordance with what we read in God’s
word. “On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of
more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great
eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result,
many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men”
(Acts 17:11-13).
Remember that the word of God is always the truth. However, the interpretation and lessons
presented by men may not be. Even if they quote scripture to back up their points, we need to
study for ourselves to see that it is true. Remember, Satan can quote scripture, as we saw when
he tempted Jesus (Luke 4:1-13). Scripture can also be twisted, (Psalm 56:5; 2 Peter 3:14-18). It
is up to each of us to read and study to make sure that what we are hearing and what we are
doing is pleasing to God. ~ Brad Tolbert