How do we discern?

 

We discern best by immersing ourselves in and knowing the standard for truth—the Word of God—and by practicing filtering everything we hear and read through God’s Word of truth. We must continuously ask hard questions of what we hear and of those people that we hear these ideas from—and check everything against Scripture! 

 

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

 

[I Thessalonians 5:21-22]

 

We have compiled some vital questions to be frequently used in order to test and see if what others are teaching is true. These biblical principles should be studied and understood, as much as possible, and the questions that accompany them asked on a continual basis in order to discern what is being taught. This practice is also a primary way we grow in wisdom, discernment, character, and maturity.

 

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

 

[Hebrews 5:11-14]

 

 

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

 

[Acts 17:11]

 

Learn and know the principles behind the questions, and then make a practice of asking these questions of whatever you read and hear. Many conclusions will raise red flags (urgent warnings of potential danger), while others will be more of an open-and-shut case of error or heresy.

Don’t be surprised if you, even as a solid biblical Christian, are challenged by the following questions and principles. Wherever you may not agree, be a Berean [Acts 17:11]. Don’t take our word for it—look it up for yourself and learn what Scripture says about everything.