Daily Archive

Acts 17:11 (NLT) And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

There are some of us who listen to ministers speak on a regular. It’s important to listen to them and search the scriptures to confirm what they’re saying is true and in context.

For instance, a minister may read Matthew 6:15 which says, if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. That minister may tell us we won’t be forgiven if we don’t forgive others. Well, that’s not true. In Matthew 6, Jesus was speaking to disciples living under the law. A minister saying something like that can bring fear and condemnation. Under the new covenant, Ephesians 4:32 says, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. It’s important to forgive, but our forgiveness from God is not dependent upon our forgiveness to others. Through Christ, we’ve been forgiven. It’s already done.

Don’t take anyone’s word for truth. Validate what they’re saying with the Word of God.