The Good Book

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. Acts 17:11

The Bible means “The Book.” It is a book unlike any other for in it we have the very words of God. When it speaks, God speaks; authoritatively and truthfully on all matters upon which it positively touches. For those convinced of this from the Bible itself, the testimony of the Spirit, reason and logic, experience, etc, there is no other place to look for truth for in Scripture alone are found the words of life.

A friend of mine has a common saying, “if you’re not reading the Bible, you shouldn’t be reading anything else, for you’ll have no standard by which to evaluate its truthfulness.” This is not mindlessness or uncritical detachment; for the one who has placed their faith in revelation over reason it is recognition that God’s word is truth, spoken by the author of truth, to inform how we ought to understand reality as He’s created it. He’s given us minds, so we should use them, but the greatest wisdom is in trusting the mind of God revealed in Scripture.

There is the old adage, you are what you eat. Ps 115 says the same thing, “Those who make them [idols] become like them; so do all who trust in them.” If we indiscriminately take on board whatever we hear, read, listen to or watch, we are like waves tossed to and fro, we’re undiscerning fools that will be led away into great sorrow. We’ll become just like what we absorb. We must be anchored to the truth of God’s word and try every thought, word, deed, idea or attitude by it.

Here God’s Word is like a filter. It helps us sort between what is helpful and unhelpful, true and false. Many years ago it was said that the RCMP didn’t teach constables about every single counterfeit bill but rather taught them to know an authentic bill and so be able to try every bill by that standard. If we’re not spending time in the truth (and with the Truth) how are we to discern truth or goodness:

• In the World: Not everything in the world is bad, but we must be discerning about what we accept. Phil 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” If something is not true or not good or unhelpful, reject it. If something is good then embrace it.
• In “Christian” culture (preaching, writings, books, conversations, etc): The sum of God’s word is truth, the rest is commentary. We need to try everything we hear by the Word of God (this doesn’t mean we become paranoid sceptics either). Jesus warned us, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Mt 7:15). Satan is the great deceiver; we can be one step ahead of him by knowing the truth in the first place. We can also show great wisdom by not naively embracing any conversation, book or sermon we hear just because it is “Christian.”  Even if it is, generally, it may be more or less truthful, more or less pure. Again, we need to try all things by the Word of God.

So be like those noble Bereans: be in the Word, know the Word and weigh all things by the Word. If we’re not reading the Bible we really shouldn’t be reading anything else for how will we be able to filter what is true and what is false.