Do You Test Your Preacher?

This is Truth Time Radio.
Today we're asking the question, do you test your preacher?
A lot of what we're seeing today is things being taught in reverse, backwards, feelings before truth.
That's out of order.
You should first learn truth and then feel something.
But that's not followed today.
That's why church is set up like it is.
The order of today's service is designed to get you all worked up, all worked up in your feelings,
worked up and emotional, and then here comes the preacher.
And by that time, you're worn plumb out.
You've had an emotional upheaval, your guard is down, and you're ready to accept just about anything the preacher says.
By that time, you don't know if what you're hearing is true or not.
Many churches have all sorts of things lined up, things they call worship.
Most of their time is spent on these things.
And then they have a tiny little window, a much smaller window toward the end of the service for the preacher to open up God's Word.
And that's even if he does it.
Sometimes they don't even open it.
In Acts 17, those in Berea, well, they didn't operate that way.
In verse 11, they were called more noble than those that were in Thessalonica.
Why?
Was it because they had the best music program?
Was it because they had the most activities for the children?
No, they were called more noble because they searched the Scriptures daily.
Every single day, they examined the Scriptures and tested, of all people, they tested the Apostle Paul,
to make sure that what he was telling them was the truth.
Now, if I asked you, if I said, would you like for God to see you as noble?
You'd say yes.
But how many are willing to start doing what those of Berea did?
How many will agree to start opening their Bible, every service, start opening God's Word and testing your pastor?
Not many.
Not many.
Some of us wouldn't have lasted one service with those at Berea.
Some would have hit the door running without looking back.
Gotta get away from those Bible thumpers.
But you see, God was well pleased with those Bible thumpers.
But he's not pleased with the emotional carnival houses we have today.
Long on activities, but short on truth.
What some of you are involved in is polar opposite to what real authentic believers actually did.
Listen, some are such great deceivers, they even deceive themselves.
Satan, for example, he's deceived himself.
Outside of God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, who knows the Bible better than anyone?
That's right, Satan.
But even though it is written that in the end he's going to lose, he's actually deceived himself in believing that it's possible he can win.
Here at Truth Time Radio, we're constantly hearing from those who have had enough of these churches where the preacher opens his Bible, reads a few passages, closes his Bible, and then gives his opinion.
This is not sound teaching.
The book should remain open, and you should be taught by a preacher who is capable of comparing Scripture with Scripture.
A real preacher or teacher of Scripture will welcome questions, not run from them.
Today our pulpits are filled with humanistic, seeker-friendly socialists, really nothing more than motivational speakers in disguise, not equipped to give a solid biblical answer.
They don't exegete, they eisegete.
They fail to respect the text.
And when backed into a corner with God's Word, they attempt to move the goalpost.
Most who attend church today don't place a very high value on Biblical scholarship.
Usually no one there is equipped to take a stand and defend themselves against the lies coming from the pulpit.
Maybe that's not you.
Maybe everything you're hearing is the word of truth rightly divided.
And that's fine, fantastic.
But my question is, how do you know?
How do you know if what you're being fed is the truth or not?
What are you doing to protect what goes into the eargate of you and your family?
Are you testing what you hear?
I have faith in brother so-and-so.
Well, you're disobedient then.
You're not called to have faith in a man.
You're called to test what he says against the Scriptures.
If what he's saying is correct, it will withstand scrutiny and everything will go as planned.
Everything will be okay.
Those men of Berea that were called noble, they receive the word with all readiness of mind and they searched the Scriptures daily.
And in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul said to prove all things.
The only way to hold fast to what is good is to search the Scriptures daily, test what you're hearing, and prove all things.
But most don't do that.
Why should you do that?
So that you can do what the next verse says.
You can, quote, Abstain from all appearance of evil.
That's verse 22.
You see, religion's got you looking for the devil in your daily circumstances when his persuasive spirit is right there in church.
The appearance of evil you're supposed to abstain from is wrong doctrine.
And that's why Paul in 2 Timothy 2:16 said to shun profane and vain babblings for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
You see, religion has you looking for the devil in a red suit with a pitchfork.
Meanwhile, the profane and vain babblings are coming from the pulpit.
Some stand there claiming to preach God's word when in actuality they're simply preaching their opinions.
And if not tested, you'll never know.
No need to change the words.
Just allow them to say what they say, where they say it, and to whom they speak.
Rightly dividing.
Let's say someone dies and on their tombstone it says, John Doe, he loved God and his family
and reminds you to trust Christ Jesus alone for your salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
And here I come along and say, Well, that's not what he really meant.
And I start changing it to say what I want it to say.
John Doe, he liked God and endured his family, and reminds you to repent and be baptized for the remission of sin.
Acts 2:38.
I've basically spit on his grave, dishonored him, and showed no respect for him and his words.
No respect for what he had to say.
This is precisely what's happening today in twistianity.
They rip the verses from their context, change it, grab one from here, one from there, and then weave them into a tapestry.
This technique can make the Bible say what you want it to say.
It gives them control of the narrative.
As it's been said, before the truth can set you free, you need to know which lie is holding you hostage.
Listen, when you're tired of your inconsistent beliefs, you may want to think about what I'm saying.
Remember, you only get two educations.
The one you're given, and the one you give yourself.