Proverbs 18:13, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
In the last few years much has been said about Fact Checking. One person will claim another said or did a particular thing and another person will do a search and find if the person really said or did the claimed or accused action. Today’s world seems to be full of lies and deceit, so it’s difficult for me to believe the fact checkers. So many audio and video files have been altered, clipped and edited, I struggle even believing what I see and hear on the internet or television. Yet, in my own feeble ways, I try to do the best I can to find out the facts and what really was said or done.
Our study verse teaches us much about possessing knowledge before we believe, retell or even have a response. Solomon, who penned these words by the inspiration of Spirit, says we need to hear it all before we jump to conclusions.
Question? How many of you have heard the story about the vikings naming Iceland and Greenland? Story has it that many years ago a Norwegian war broke out and many vikings fled to other lands. Fearing others would come and find their new home in Iceland, vikings sent word back that Iceland was covered in Ice and Greenland was the perfect place to live. The truth is just the opposite. Iceland is actually very green and fertile for most of the year, while at the same time Greenland is covered with ice. Many of the Norwegian vikings believed the story and, sadly to say, some vikings made the travel by boat and died in the ice of Greenland. I know what you’re thinking, “Bro. Ronnie, is this a true story?” My answer, maybe or maybe not. It’s according to who you ask. My point? It’s good to find out the facts before you go all in. Just because you hear it on your favorite news channel, that doesn’t make it true. Those news channels make apologies all the time for their mistakes. News today is more like a soap opera rather than real journalism (my opinion of course).
The same can be said of Biblical interpreting conclusions. Just because your favorite preacher says it, it doesn’t make it true. How do we test it? When it comes to spiritual truth, we have a perfect standard, God’s Holy Word (King James Bible). If there is a question you have concerning what you are hearing, test it by the Preserved Inspired Word. Many today are attacking the Bible. Many say that it contains errors. My thoughts? If folks cannot measure up to the standard and they do not want to change, they usually question the standard. Example? A man goes to the market with what he believes is 100 lbs of corn. Upon arriving, he is told it’s only 85 lbs. He immediately questions the accuracy of the scales. You get the point? What’s the best way to settle the argument? Find a standard to test the scales.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, in the end your experience is going to depend on you. How diligent are you going to be in knowing what is truth? As a preacher, all I can do is encourage you to read and study. And in doing so, please test me. If a preacher desires to preach the truth, he should not feel offended when someone questions what he says. But if you question me, please bring your Bible with you. 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Amen!