It is very important to consider what Paul says in Acts 17:11 when we hear what others are telling us about the things of God.  It doesn't matter who is doing the telling, it is very wise to do as Paul says in this verse.  Paul is speaking highly of the Berean Jews, saying that they were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica in that they "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things be so."

Each of us is responsible for what we allow ourselves to believe.  We cannot blame our beliefs on those who speak to us proclaiming knowledge.  It is of utmost importance that we as individuals keep ourselves in tune to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and study things on our own.  When we stand alone before God, we will have to give account for what we believe.  And God will not accept the excuse that "a 'knowledgable' person told me this, so I just simply believed him."  That is one reason He gave us the Holy Spirit as Believers, to guide us in our individual minds....to provide enlightenment as we discern what we hear or read.  He wants us to search for the truth ourselves with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is absolutely good to listen to what others are telling us, because some things we hear are true.  But how do we know if its true?  The person speaking to us can have a vast education, be the pastor of a church, claim to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit, say "What I'm saying is what the Bible says".....but can we afford to simply accept what they are saying as the truth?  Maybe what we are hearing or have heard has been taught traditionally.  But does that make it correct? 

If the truth is so easy to come by, then why are their so many religions and denominations?  And each one claims to know the truth.  By joining a religion or a denomination, are we simply allowing its leaders and teachers to tell us what to believe and think?  Or maybe we feel secure there because they think and believe like we do.  But what if another religion's or denomination's beliefs are more accurate than our denomination's?  Or maybe their are some actual truths in some or all religions and denominations. 

There should only be one division amongst those who believe in a Supreme Being......on the one side should be those who see The Truth as something to continually be sought after.  These realize the danger of drawing convenient conclusions due to lazy-mindedness.  These share their thoughts with each other, but search on and on with their own mind because they have an insatiable hunger for what is truth.  Once they decide to believe something, they will even then allow their belief to always be scrutinized and tested.  It is through humility that they never claim to have the undisputable truth.  They are more interested in the truth than merely having something to believe.  Maybe what they believe is actually the truth.  But only God knows the Absolute Truth.  All we as humans can do is believe.  Therefore, they have their beliefs, but are always ready willing and able to have their beliefs tested.

On the other side should be those who proudly proclaim to know the truth, and whoever disagrees with them is wrong....no ifs ands or buts about it!  They have drawn their convenient conclusions, assumed them to be the truth, and have attempted to finalize the matter by saying "I believe it because God said it!!"   And it is these who proudly claim to have knowledge and want you to accept what they tell you as the indisputible truth. 

The point is, be very cautious about what conclusions you draw and what you allow yourself to believe.  Never let anyone tell you what to believe, no matter who they are or how knowledgable they claim to be.  And never accept the "proof" that "What I am telling you is what God says" or "what the Bible says."  Lots of people claim to have been led to what they believe by the Holy Spirit.  But why so many disagreements?  If there are disagreements, not everyone can be correct and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, right?  And no one has a monopoly on Holy Spirit enlightenment!! 

So it is very important that we perpetually test everything we are told, as well as allow everything we believe to be perpetually tested.  And we do this by searching and researching and reasoning and discussing.  We must always be able to give a REASON why we believe what we believe.  And like I said, "Because the Bible says it" is an interpretation, not a reason.   If we can't give a logical explanation for what we believe, and show how our belief is more logical than another, then we are risking believing incorrectly.  And we cannot blame our incorrect beliefs on anyone but ourselves. 

 

One last note....someone may tell you something, and you research it and decide that you feel its safe enough to believe.  That does not mean that everything this person says is correct!!  Just because the Holy Spirit may have given them enlightenment on one issue doesn't mean that they have His enlightenment on every issue.