Is It Bible?

It is Bible?

You don’t spot lies by studying counterfeits, you spot them by knowing the real thing

Where Do Bible-ish Counterfeits Come From?

The Enemy

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:1–5

The World

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12:2

Our Flesh

False Teachers

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine… they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3–4

Is it Bible or Bible-ish?

1. Scripture Test

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

Colossians 2:6–8

Don’t build beliefs on memes, build them on context.

2. Gospel Test

If the cross isn’t central, it isn’t the gospel

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:31–32

3. Fruit Test

By their fruit you will recognize them.

Matthew 7:16

Rotten fruit always reveals a rotten root

4. Community Test

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14

5. The Holy Spirit Test

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

The same Spirit who wrote the Word helps you understand the Word.

“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”

~ Charles Spurgeon

Almost true is still a lie. Half truths can’t save you. Only Jesus can.