Who is Speaking into Your Life?

1Timothy 4:12-13, Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Warning! Be careful who you allow to speak into your life. I have always taught people that I have pastored to “check it with the Bible.” Just because I am teaching it, don’t take it for granted that it is right. Go to the Bible and make sure it lines up with the Word of God.

Today we have access to a lot of preaching/teaching because of modern technology. Just because it sounds good, or gives you goose-bumps doesn’t mean it is true. Before jumping on it, check it out. Here are five steps to check out what you are listening to:

1.          Take it to God in prayer! Be honest in your prayer. This is how I approach God: Lord I have heard this preached/taught. I am wondering if it is of you. I am seeking your face and asking you to show me the way to go. Help me to know the right from the wrong. Speak to the men of God in my life that watch for my soul. Open my understanding to your word and your ways.
2.        Run it by you Pastor. This is the man who is watching for your soul and he is also the one who will give an account before God for you, (Heb. 13:7). Talk to him about what you have heard. Tell him what you are feeling. Let him listen to it for himself, if he wants/needs to. Give him time to pray about it. Listen to his sound advice.
3.        Run it by your Mentor. This should be someone in your life that is an Elder and can help and teach you. Do with them as you have done with your Pastor. Allow them to be honest with you concerning their thoughts and feelings. Listen to their cautions. If you have asked them to be your Mentor, assume they have your best interest at heart.
4.        Talk to your trusted peers. Often when we find something new, our approach to others is from an attitude of superior knowledge. Rather than telling them what you have found out, approach them with this attitude: I have heard this and it has had an effect on me. What do you think about it? Discuss it with them. Listen to what they have to say. Weigh it with what you are hearing from others. Again, they should have you best interest at heart.
5.        Go to the scripture! Is it in the Book? Lately I have heard quotes by people from teaching they have heard and it is not sound doctrine. Don’t accept it until you know that it lines up with the Word of God.

Paul instructed the Church of Ephesus (Eph. 4:12-16) that God had gifted the Church with Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. Their purpose was to equip the saints to be prepared to minister. This would strengthen the Body of Christ. He also states, their purpose is to keep us from being tossed about by all types of teaching. This keeps us strong and walking in truth. It also brings strength and unity to the Body of Christ.

Paul admonishes the young man Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” (2 Tim. 4:3). Unfortunately we live in that time. There are men who are more interested in the acclaim of the crowd than they are in preaching truth. They know what will get people excited and will preach that rather than preach sound doctrine.

The wise man of Proverbs shares this wisdom, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety,” (Pro 11:14). Protect yourself, your heart and your eternity. Take some time to check it out.

Remember, it’s just a thought!