“PROVE ALL THINGS”
The words above are recorded in I Thessalonians 5:21: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” The word prove means “to test, examine, prove, scrutinize, to see whether a thing is genuine or not” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). In matters of doctrine, then, God has placed the obligation upon all Christians to prove their beliefs and practices. This verse sets forth two vital points:
First, the command to “prove all things” implies that there is a standard by which things can be proved. The standard is God’s Word. Observe Acts 17:11: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Note that the people “searched the scriptures.” Why? The answer is stated in the verse: to see “whether those things were so.” They realized that religious doctrines and practices should not be “verified” by family tradition, opinions, what “the preacher said,” or feelings, but by God’s Word, the Scriptures.
Second, the command to “prove all things” implies that doctrines can be proved to be right or wrong. There is the popular notion today that two people may hold conflicting, opposing views; yet, both views are correct. “After all,” some say, “you have your interpretation and I have mine.” Though the notion that “everyone has the right to his own interpretation” is popular, it will not stand in light of what the Bible teaches. The command to “prove all things” suggests that in matters of doctrine, one may “prove” a doctrine to be right or wrong. Therefore, Truth is not determined by one’s personal, subjective interpretation. One’s interpretation of a verse (or verses) may be wrong.
Friend, when it comes to religious beliefs and practices, can you “prove” yours by the Bible? Since the apostle Paul instructed Christians to “prove all things,” we cannot afford to do otherwise. Don’t rely on what fallible men may say. Prove all things by God’s Word.
