DEAR DISCIPLE – “TEST ALL THINGS”

We are living in an age where the fake products are more appealing and more convincing than the genuine ones. The same applies to news that is spread. What about Church and Christian life? If the whole world is affected by “fake products” how can the church and the Christians be exempt from it? We have fake and false theologies and fake and false teachers. The LORD had warned us so very clearly in the Bible.
– “15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” – Matthew 7:15

False prophets, false preachers and false teachers are always there. Therefore the LORD Jesus warns us through the words of the apostle Paul to the new Christians at Thessalonica…
– “21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Paul is urging his reader to do two things…
– “TEST ALL THINGS”
– “HOLD FAST WHAT IS GOOD”

For our meditation this morning, we will look at – “TEST ALL THINGS” – the first point.

1- “TEST ALL THINGS”
The LORD wants us to be careful to all what many would speak in His name. The reason being – not all belong to the LORD Jesus. The evil one has sown the tares among the wheat. The tares have no other work but to tear up all what is good and to destroy the productivity of the wheat. Therefore, we are urged to “TEST ALL THINGS.”

The Greek word that is used by Paul for “TEST” (δοκιμάζω) speaks about a rigorous examination of the matter under consideration. It is similar to the intense testing of precious metals like gold or silver by fire for its purity. The LORD in His written Word, the Bible, urges and encourages His disciples to test the spirits thoroughly, and to see whether they are from God or not.
– “1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1
– “5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” – 2 Corinthians 13:5
– “15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.” – Proverbs 14:15

The Berean Study Bible Notes commenting on the words “TEST ALL THINGS” observes that it “emphasizes the importance of discernment and critical evaluation in the life of a believer.”

The Practical ways to test, listed by the Berean Study Bible Notes would help us further to be discerning and wise disciples of the LORD Jesus, and be a true Christian witness.
– Compare every claim with clear biblical teaching (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
– Look at the fruit it produces—does it align with the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) or the works of the flesh (5:19-21)?
– Ask whether it magnifies Christ and the true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
– Seek counsel from mature believers who are grounded in the faith (Proverbs 11:14; Hebrews 13:7).
– Testing is ongoing. Hebrews 5:14 points to believers who, “by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” 

The LORD’s call to the Christian, to test all things, is intended as a safeguard against deception from the evil one and his false prophets. It is a means to make sure that our faith is properly and firmly grounded in truth, and nothing but the truth. Discernment is strengthened only when we consistently practice it or implement it with diligence in our lives. Hence the call to “TEST ALL THINGS” is given to us, the disciples of the LORD Jesus. Even so, the LORD help us.