Testing Every Teaching — Holding Fast to What Is Good

How to Read the Bible Series

Not all who teach the Bible teach the truth.
In every generation, voices rise with persuasive speech, passion, and promises—but not all speak for God. Scripture warns of false teachers and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). The solution isn’t suspicion, but testing.

The Bereans weren’t skeptical; they were faithful. They received Paul’s message eagerly—then examined the Scriptures daily to see if what he said was true (Acts 17:11). They didn’t test to reject; they tested to follow rightly. That’s the posture God honors.

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Scripture Focus:

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21, NASB1995

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Teaching Must Be Tested, Not Trusted Blindly

It doesn’t matter who’s preaching. If it contradicts the Word, it must be rejected. Scripture is the standard—not popularity, credentials, or tradition.

Jesus warned of wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). Paul told the Galatians that even if an angel from heaven preached a different gospel, it was to be accursed (Galatians 1:8). We test everything—not to be critical, but to be careful.

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Examine Carefully, Not Casually

Testing is not passive—it’s diligent. The Greek for “examine” (dokimazō) implies testing metals, proving what is genuine. That means:

• Searching the Scriptures in full context
• Letting the Spirit confirm or correct
• Asking questions of the text, not just the teacher

The Bereans searched daily. They let the Word be their filter.

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What to Hold Fast To

Once tested, truth must be held tightly. Truth isn’t a buffet—it’s a foundation. The Bereans clung to what aligned with Scripture. Today, we must:

• Hold fast to what the Bible plainly teaches
• Let go of what’s built on inference, tradition, or system
• Walk in obedience to what is clear

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How the Early Church Modeled Discernment

The Ante-Nicene believers weren’t easily swayed by clever speech. They weighed everything against the apostles’ teachings, preserved in the Scriptures. When heresies arose, they stood firm—not with arrogance, but with conviction rooted in the Word.

They were not passive hearers. They were active testers.

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Today’s Urgent Need: A Berean Heart

We are flooded with podcasts, sermons, and books. Not all are evil—but not all are true. The Church doesn’t need louder voices. It needs sharper listeners.

God still honors those who examine everything and hold fast to what is good.

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Return to the Word. Test What You Hear.

Not everything that sounds biblical is. Test it. Search it. Compare it. And when it proves good, cling to it like treasure.

Be discerning. Be devoted. And let the Holy Spirit and the Word be your guide in every teaching you receive.