The sound of my kids’ happy play floated in through the window as I prepared dinner. Glancing at my phone to check the recipe again, I saw a text from a friend pop up: “I was wondering if you’ve heard of this book before. I don’t know a whole lot about it . . . ”
I paused my dinner prep and clicked the link she sent. I’d never heard of the book either. Apparently it was quite popular, but I wasn’t familiar with the author. Nothing in particular stuck out as being glaringly dangerous, but a few details gave me pause. But how was I to know if my concerns were valid? How could I figure out if this book would ultimately lead my friend toward truth or away from it?
I’ve experienced this kind of scenario countless times in the past few years. Whether it’s a teacher, a podcast, a book, or a ministry, I’ve wrestled over how to discern whether a source that claims to be Christian is sound according to Scripture. It’s often overwhelming to know where to begin in this process. Some errors are blatant, others are subtle. Some people simply have slightly different (but still biblically permissible) theological perspectives than mine. It’s also easy to default to absorbing content from certain people because we’ve liked their materials in the past or because they are highly praised by others.
Whatever the case may be, it’s tempting to neglect the discernment process because it often requires a good bit of effort. But I would argue that it’s never been more necessary to learn how to hold up the measuring stick of Scripture to any resource we come in contact with. Since the rise of the internet, anyone can claim to be a teacher, and there are countless avenues for false doctrine to seep into our hearts and minds. It’s vital that we learn to distinguish between those who are on the same path as us but differ in some areas and those who are leading others down a different and destructive road altogether.
Every Thought Captive
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Bible is full of warnings to be watchful of being deceived by false teachers and unsound doctrine. Ever since the garden of Eden, the enemy has been using his crafty ways to undermine God’s Word and cause us to turn away from God’s perfect and loving truth. But even back then, the serpent didn’t approach Eve with blatant lies. He started by using God’s very own instructions, twisting them to cause confusion in Eve (Genesis 3:1). He’s out to do the same thing today and uses the same old tactics to do so.
Why? Because we still fall for them. That’s why it’s so important that we’re equipped to spot them when they come. As 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 says, “We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
This process starts within our own minds and hearts as we remember that God ordered the universe and defines reality. We first have to bring ourselves under the loving and protective authority of God’s truth. Then, from this place of humility, we can begin to look at the ideas we encounter to see whether they meet God’s standard. This doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, Christians should be growing in wisdom and discernment until the day we die, which is why we need to extend grace to fellow believers, not immediately lumping something we disagree with into the category of false teaching. We need God to help us keep our hearts soft and teachable even as our minds are sharpened to the schemes of the enemy.
As I’ve worked through this process over the years, I’ve discovered that asking certain questions of the content I’m taking in can be a very effective tool to help me recognize and guard against ideas that don’t align with truth. Some I’ve come up with myself as I’ve noticed patterns in my own study, and some are insights I’ve gained from others. I’ll share four of my most used questions here.
Even after careful evaluation, there may still be lingering question marks in our minds. But these questions can be a starting point for learning to test ideas in order to faithfully guard our minds and hearts according to God’s Word.
However, I must stress this point: any question—no matter how insightful—will ultimately fall short if we’re not first and foremost moored in the Word of God. This is the unshakeable ground upon which they can prove useful. So let’s be women with hearts and minds brimming with His Word, prayerfully relying on the Holy Spirit to teach us to use Scripture as our grid for understanding all of life. As Proverbs 2:6–8 says,
For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up success for the upright;
He is a shield for those who live with integrity
so that he may guard the paths of justice
and protect the way of his faithful followers.
4 Questions to Help Discern Truth from Error
1. Is Scripture being handled correctly?
It’s critical that teachers handle God’s Word with care and reverence. One classic sign of spiritual danger is when someone twists Scripture to say something it doesn't for their own purpose. For this reason it’s crucial to be observant of whether the verses used to back up someone’s point are being applied as God intended them to be.
For example, there’s a humorous (and rather sad) quip I’ve seen based on Philippians 4:13—a verse that’s been often misused—that says, “I can do all things through a verse taken out of context.” Some have used this verse to back up their claim that God will bless them with material success in whatever endeavor they might take on: sports, fame, money, and so on. However, if we look at this verse in context, Paul is describing the secret for being content even in the worst of circumstances. And that’s simply a lighter example of the misuse of God’s Word that is routine among those who promote unbiblical ideas.
Tragically, I’ve seen this tactic used in far more nefarious ways, with the words of the Bible contorted to prop up ideas that go against the whole counsel of Scripture. It’s important that we’re aware of both how Scripture is being used, and how it’s intended by God to be understood.
2. How are words or terms defined?
Many false teachers redefine certain words and terms to mean something different than how God defines them in Scripture. One common example is the use of the phrase “love your neighbor.” We can all agree that love comes from God and is incredibly important for a believer to live out. However, the idea of loving our neighbor is being redefined by many to mean that we need to embrace sinful lifestyles, thoughts, and ideas for the sake of maintaining a relationship or not hurting someone’s feelings. But this is a total warping of the true definition of love.
God alone gets to choose what love means, and He’s already done so. Scripture tells us that biblical love includes not pretending that sin is good for us or others. Loving often includes speaking truth to warn someone from straying off the path of righteousness or warning unbelievers of their eternal state. Take care how words or phrases are being used and meant.
3. Is this based on “new” psychology or science that contradicts Scripture?
A number of years ago, my husband and I were talking with a couple that was taking a course on finding freedom from past issues. We could tell it was significant in their lives because it came up multiple times in conversation. We were assured it was from a Christian perspective but something seemed off. Then we happened to be able to sit in on a class, and our concerns deepened.
The class was based on “new psychological and scientific discoveries” about the brain and was promoted as the only way to truly work through past struggles. However, it seemed to contradict some clear teaching in the Bible. Afterward, I asked, “Since this is brand new, does that mean Christians couldn’t heal from hard things in their past correctly before this program?” After a brief pause, an instructor answered, “They probably could not.”
At that moment, it became clear that in the eyes of its adherents, this teaching elevated itself above the efficacy of Scripture. Second Peter 1:3 states that “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” If a resource, idea, or teacher is claiming to hold higher authority than the Word of God, it is a significant red flag.
4. Is experience being used to reinterpret Scripture?
Often this error comes in a package something like, “I used to believe the Bible teaches [fill in the blank], but then I heard the stories of others who believe something different, and it completely changed the way I read and understood those passages.” Personal experience is being lifted up as the lens through which to interpret Scripture rather than the other way around.
Someone who lives a homosexual lifestyle was very kind? Then we might need to rethink what the Bible says about it. A new age practice seemed to help someone? It must not really be forbidden. But here’s the thing: the enemy will always use some element of truth as bait. Story has a good place in helping us deepen our understanding of truth, but experience never changes how God defines what is true.
He Will Do It
Psalm 127:1 says,
Unless the LORD watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.
In our role as keepers, let’s not forget that our vigilance is meaningless apart from Christ. He has saved us, given us new hearts, and empowered us by His grace to faithfully guard against error.
Let’s go forth with this benediction from 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 resonating in our hearts:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.
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