Many believers today don't fully acknowledge the bible is the sufficient truth. But if you are a bible-believing Christian then you know that the Scripture is the final authority in testing all things. 1 Thess 5:21,22. In the Bible we find our hope, our doctrine, and where our faith is built and established, and how we learn to know our Savior and Redeemer - Jesus Christ. We have every reason to Stand Firm on the Truths presented in the Bible - God's Word.
This Foundation is so sure, that in the book of Jude it says - that we are to contend earnestly for the Faith. The Faith that is complete! and has been perserved and stands true for all times. As Jude 3 says: "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing tht you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."
We are to respect the scriptures and defend it, contending for the truth. If your Pastor truly stands on the word and knows Christ, he will teach you to honor the Lord's words over his own or others. He will be available to instruct, and use the scripture in his conversation and pray with you, and he will build you up in the word and equip you for the work of service. Eph. 4:12
One obvious mark of a false teacher is that he elevates himself, his ideas, and opinions, and fails to deliver a biblical example in his actions. Yes, he may use the bible in his sermons, but do you discern the interpretation given to you? In Acts 17:11 it says: "Now these were more noble-minded then those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with much eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so". These Christians were praised for testing the teaching not scorned as being troublesome.
We are not to follow anyone except the Lord Jesus Christ. Respect your teachers, yes, that is right in the Lord, but do not elevate them in such a way as to ignore the clear written word of God. We're not to follow teachers, Pastors, or Televangelists, or even a Christian author's voice and writings above the scriptures. Many times they can help our growth in the Christian life, but never should they replace our study of Scripture and our loyalty and faithfulness to Christ. We are to follow the Chief Shepherd.
In John 10:27 Jesus said; "My Sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater then all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
As Christians we are to use discernment to know who is speaking, and what is being taught - is the bible being rightly interpreted? But throughout history there has always been false prophets and false teachings, that is why we are warned in 1 John 4:1 to test the spirits ourselves --to see if what they are saying aligns with the Word of God. It teaches us; "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
We are to test the teachers to the Word of God - that's the Bible - from Genesis to Revelation - that's all of it. We are to hold scripture higher then our teachers. The believers in the book of Acts were not scorned for testing Paul's teachings and neither should we as we test our teachers to the Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16 it says; "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
But anyone who has walked with Christ by knowing Him through the bible, will realize the great blessing of the Authority of God's word.
But if you are around professing believers who have a low view of scripture, but tend to follow the latest 'new interpretations' and 'words' that are popular among the crowds - it's possible you will never be able to distinguish a false teacher - (Matt 7:15,16) from a true biblical teacher.
The next time someone passes on a CD teaching, or recommends a conference, or passes on a book to you - saying 'You gotta read this! THINK...and REMEMBER... Test it to Scripture, look up the verses that are being used, and see if the Scripture is being used in it's context and proper meaning. Don't just trust popularity or reputation of a teacher, test the teachings by the Bible.
Because the voice of truth which is the Word of God may not be as important to you as it should if you are unwilling to test your teachers. That is how people get lead astray within the Church. Remember the warnings given from Acts 20:32 where Paul warned that "Savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock, teaching perverse things to draw away disciples unto themselves."
Remember how important Jesus placed the Scriptures in His high priestly prayer and what He said in John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth, Your word is truth". Ask yourself today if you stand firm on the scriptures and it's teachings alone.