Prove All Things

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."  I Thessalonians 5:21.  As we listen to preaching, we are to test that which is preached.  We are to prove the prophet.  The reason for testing is "many false prophets are gone out into the world."  I John 4:1.  Jesus, the teacher who was sent from God, warned that "many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."  Matthew 24:5.  The words which are heard must be tested according to the divine standard, which is the word of God.  "To the law and to the testimony: for if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."  Isaiah 8:20.  False teaching is presented for the purpose of deception.  The Devil will use this means to ensnare us and remove us from God.  All hearers have the responsibility of proving the doctrine which is taught.  The hearers at Thessalonica "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."  Acts 17:11.  We must secure what is true, lest it slip from our mind.