Distinguishing truth from error requires that we rely not on our own understanding, but rather on the guides God has provided.
In previous posts in this series, we have seen the importance of pursuing truth from God and being on guard against error, for we live in a world swirling with deceptions about the ultimate questions of life. These lies can lead to our destruction.
That brings us to a crucial question. How do we recognize false teaching? How does God equip even the youngest believer to distinguish truth from error?
Passing the test brought on by deception
Those who love and trust the true God will not ultimately be deceived and lost due to false teaching—guaranteed—but that does not mean their salvation is automatic. We are responsible to follow the guides God has given to keep us from error.
When you are unsure what is true, you can trust him to lead you to truth as you prayerfully find harmony between three guides:
(1) the objective truth found in God’s inerrant Word (the Bible),
(2) the subjective truth given by the abiding, internal witness of the Holy Spirit,
(3) the objective teaching of the broader church on essential doctrines.
We must find agreement between all three.
1. Scripture
The foundation of all true teaching about God is the Bible.
The apostle Paul counseled his assistant Timothy, “Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching” (2 Tim. 3:14–16, italics added).
Paul was an authoritative apostle commissioned directly by Jesus Christ, and we see in this verse that he had complete confidence in Scripture as the inerrant guide to the truth that brings salvation, just as Jesus had absolute confidence in Scripture and his own teaching as inerrant guides.
“Scripture cannot be broken,” said Jesus (John 10:35).
Notice that I said Scripture is an inerrant guide. People go astray when they think they know better than the Bible and Jesus. That is a sure way to end up in error. I long ago determined that I would humble my mind under God’s Word and believe it rather than believe my own understanding or the wisdom of man.
God is perfect, and he has given us perfect truth in Holy Scripture.
Next week we discuss the second guide to truth: the Holy Spirit.