You’ve heard the old saying about assuming, right? Since this is a Christian blog (a pastor’s blog, no less), I’ll paraphrase. The saying is that assuming makes a … donkey out of you and me. Substitute donkey for the first three letters of assume. 🙂
It’s why Ronald Reagan famously quoted the old Russian proverb “Trust, but verify” to Mikhail Gorbachev several times during nuclear disarmament talks in the 1980s. It’s why responsible organizations (including responsible churches) have accountability processes and protocols in place. And it’s why the Apostle Paul wrote the following in his letter to the church in Thessalonica:
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
I Thessalonians 5:21, KJV
Incorporate this principle into your life and you’ll draw closer to God and have better relationships — at home, with your friends, in church, in the community, and even on social media.
The Greek word behind “prove” (in the classic King James Version of I Thessalonians 5:21) is δοκιμάζετε (dokimazete), which means to examine, test, or scrutinize. Most contemporary English translations (including the NKJV, NIV, NLT, and ESV) translate δοκιμάζετε (dokimazete) as “test.”
Paul says we are to test everything.
That means testing what you hear, testing how you understand what you hear, testing how you feel, testing what you assume, and testing what you believe. Test everything — your opinions, choices, behaviors, everything.
Now, wait a minute! someone might say. The context is prophecy.
Indeed, the overall context is that Paul is wrapping up his letter to Thessalonica with a series of pithy exhortations to the Thessalonian believers (and, due to the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, to all believers everywhere from that time forward).
And the exhortations right before verse 21 are “Quench not the Spirit” (verse 19) and “Despise not prophesyings” (verse 20). Clearly, Paul is emphasizing the principle that believers in Christ should “prove” or “test” what they hear in church, read from an apostle, or perceive they are getting from the Lord. The Apostle John goes so far as to say we should even “try the spirits” (see I John 4:1).
Make no mistake. According to the New Testament, Christians should put every teaching or message they receive (from church, preachers, other believers, dreams, even supposed supernatural revelations) to the test.
But don’t try to limit “everything.”
In other words, don’t say “Well, that only applies to preaching from the pulpit” or “That only applies to a televangelist.” No.
We are to test everything.
This is easy to prove. Would it make sense for Paul to say “Hey, test any supposed supernatural revelation, but everything else… just take it without any examination whatsoever”? No! That would be absurd. If we’re supposed to test something as important as a possible message from God, then we should test everything.
A good rule of thumb is indeed to TEST EVERYTHING.
And that includes yourself.
In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes:
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
II Corinthians 13:15, KJV
According to Paul, we should examine our relationship with God — starting with whether we are even “in the faith” and also of course whether we are walking with Him.
Testing everything requires self-awareness, humility, patience, discipline, caution, and wisdom. We should test what we hear from others, what we think we hear, what we ourselves think, how we feel about people or circumstances, and the views we hold and choices we make.
As but one example, consider typical social discourse in America today – especially when it comes to politics. How many of us think before we speak (or post something on social media)? How many people “test” what they hear (or think they hear)? How many people put their own biases, views, impulses, or instincts to the test?
The Book of Proverbs repeatedly urges us to be wise and cautious – and to consider our ways. Self-examination, humility, and wisdom are essential to both our walk with God as well as our earthly, practical “success” in this life.
Don’t assume all your choices, beliefs, impressions, opinions, reactions, or understandings are completely valid, accurate, or justified. You are imperfect. You are flawed. You make mistakes. And you (even if you’re a Christian) have a sinful nature.
Put everything (including yourself) to the test.
You’ll be a much more effective and godly example — and your life will probably have less drama too.
