Hold the Line

How do I know if what someone is telling me about God is true or just their opinion?

Paul warned Titus about teachers who sounded religious but were leading people away from the truth. The Bereans in Acts listened to Paul himself and then checked everything against the scriptures, and the word of God is the only compass that can tell you what is true.

For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped: men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.”

Titus 1:10–12

Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16–17

Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Acts 17:11

If I love someone who is walking away from God, isn't it more loving to just stay quiet?

Paul says false teaching disrupts whole households and must be corrected, but the correction is for the health of the person, not their shame. The elder brother in Luke stayed silent and resentful while the father ran to the one who was lost.

…but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ,…

Ephesians 4:15

“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.

Matthew 18:15

Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not give to every man according to his work?

Proverbs 24:11–12

…doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;…

1 Corinthians 13:6

I'm afraid of what will happen if I speak up. Is it wrong to want to be liked?

Paul asks whether he is trying to please people or God, because the fear of man traps a person into silence. Peter denied Jesus three times to stay safe among the crowd, and Paul knew the same pull.

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.

Proverbs 29:25

Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.” After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.” Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed. Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Then he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:69–75

Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.

John 12:42–43

What about someone who is caught in sin but says they love Jesus?

Paul tells Titus that the pure are pure, but those who are corrupt and do not believe show it by their actions. The father in Luke 15 runs to the son who has squandered everything and is still a mess, and that is the picture of how God receives a person who comes home.

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess that they know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

Titus 1:15–16

“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:20–24

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?

Romans 6:1–2

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.

James 2:17