I am one of those that does not trust easy. I am not sure if it is due to my childhood, life trauma, or the simple fact that the world is full of evil men and there is a very real and deceptive devil who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. I don’t walk into every situation assuming that someone is lying. Rather I walk into every situation hoping that they are not. Hoping of course with my own due diligence.

James 3:8 tells us that NO human can tame the tongue.

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that the heart is deceitful.

When Paul went to Thessalonica he preached for 3 Sabbaths. He reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead. Many came to believe. Jews and Greeks. However, some Jews got Jealous and formed a mob and essentially ran Paul and Silas out of town. The next place they stop is about 35 miles away in the city of Berea. The word says that Paul again went to the Jewish synagogue first. Considering Paul’s background, this makes sense. We then see that the Bereans are considered more noble that the thessalonians because of how they handle the words that Paul brings to them. Acts 17:11 reads, “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

Noble: (2104- eugenes): of high moral or intellectual value. Eager to hear for the opportunity to learn.

Received: (1209- dechomai): welcome, receive favorably, give ear to, embrace.

Examine: (350- anakrino): process of careful study, evaluation and judgement, scrutinize, discern, search.

When I am sitting in a sermon I listen with appreciation of the calling that the Lord has put on the person speaking. When I am in a small group, I listen hoping to be sharpened by the iron that is sitting in front of me. Either way, I am also looking at the Word and double checking everything that I am being told. I don’t do this because I don’t trust the speaker. I do this because I respect the Word enough to ensure what the speaker is giving away is in fact the truth. It is so easy to misunderstand the Word or even misspeak. There is a phrase I often say when I am teaching, “Does that make sense?” I don’t say this because I think my listener is too stupid to understand. I say this because I have epilepsy and the occasional aphasia (trouble moving thoughts to spoken words). I want to make sure I am saying what I am intending to say. When we elect to disciple others or even teach the Word, we must be humble enough to accept correction. When we misspeak, mishandle, or break things, we must be humble enough to accept the correction and mature enough to walk out restoration.

The Bereans had the right idea. Don’t throw rocks. Welcome new things with kindness and an open mind. Be humble enough to know you don’t know everything. Also, fact check everything against the Word.

Are you a Berean?

Praying this finds you well.

-Chorley

Be sure to check out the conference that is coming up in August!