Know what it is that you believe

As believers in Christ, it is imperative that we know exactly what it is that we believe. The late Dr. Walter Martin once said, “know what you believe and why you believe it”. We are called to be grounded in the Scriptures. First of all, so that when we are confronted about our belief system, we can defend from the Scriptures what it is that we as Christians believe. Secondly, that we will be able to guard ourselves from any falsehood or error. As well, when we are asked by curious onlookers about the faith that we hold onto, we must to be able to give an adequate response. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 NIV.

We are better equipped when we have a good working knowledge of the Scriptures. Consider the Bereans when Paul spoke of them as searching the Scriptures daily to test the validity of what he was teaching them. He writes, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.”  Acts 17:10-12 NIV.

Knowing that there are many out there who are seeking to lead us astray with error and false teaching, it is imperative that we know the Scriptures to guard ourselves from false doctrine and false teachers. We are given many warnings in Scripture to be on our guard. “He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:16-18 NIV, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-9 NIV, “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing.” 1 Timothy 6:3 NIV.

But let us not forget the mastermind of all deception who is the devil himself. He is opposed to anything that is of God and seeks to deceive and lead us all astray. The best way to guard against the enemy is to know Scripture and always have it on our minds ready to thwart his evil ways. “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NIV, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV.

 How prepared are you to give a reason and defense for the faith that was given to you and that which you hold firmly onto?

Categories