LEARNING DAILY

Proverbs 14:15, The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

Pastor Ed Newton has finished a sermon series on the book of Galatians. The members of the Galatian churches were gullible; they did not cling to the gospel message preached by Paul. They had begun to be influenced by false teachers that were teaching to be saved, one had to be circumcised, and they had to be following the teachings of Moses (the Law). Paul wrote in Galatians 1:9, “As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” Paul goes on to write that these false teachers were trying to please men rather than God. False teachers have been in the world for many years.

Paul also wrote several letters to Timothy. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, he wrote, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” I am afraid this time has come. There are those in churches who are not preaching sound doctrine; they are preaching error and teachings that which is contrary to what is in the Bible. Those who seek these churches have grown tired of what the Bible says, they have rejected it as no longer relevant. This happens when the desire to satisfy “itching ears” with that which tells them they are good people, and that is enough to get them into heaven; they do not want to hear they are an imperfect people who need a Savior to go to heaven.

This verse from Proverbs tells each of the importance of critical thinking and discernment in our decision-making process. It also shows the importance of being like the Bereans in Acts 17 who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so” [that which was preached to them]. The gullible are those who believe everything they hear without questioning or thinking about what they see or hear and are easily misled or taken advantage of. The prudent, on the other hand, carefully consider what they have heard and carefully consider their steps before acting on it. I would add that this is important for everything you read or watch on social media – including this blog. Do not follow anything that does not line up with God’s Word.

The last days – which I believe we are in – will see an increase in false teachers and those who will seek to mislead those who are not well versed in God’s Word. Do you see the importance for reading/studying/meditating on the Word and being in prayer. Discernment is essential for every Believer in the time we live in. The Holy Spirit will alert you when something is not right, when false teaching is being presented, when you need to be alert. Believers cannot walk with unquestioning acceptance of everything they hear or read or see.

Being prudent expresses the value of thinking something through with careful planning and considering what might happen rather than being impulsive. That includes seeking God’s wisdom as seen in James 1:5. Proverbs 14:15 reflects the wise Believer embracing discernment and prudence as they walk the narrow way. Spiritual discernment is grounded in the wisdom from above. Do not be gullible and believe everything you hear. Be as the Bereans and check God’s Word to be sure you have heard and are walking in truth!