1 Thessalonians 5:21
21 Prove [dokimazo] all things; [pas] hold fast
[katecho] that which [ho] is good. [kalos] KJV-Interlinear
21 But examine everything
carefully; hold fast to that which is good; NASB
The Christian life
mandates that you examine and question everything. Truth will make itself
evident in due course.Untruths,
deceits, lies all will fail the examination sooner or later.
In fact, all untruths,
deceits, lies, the world in general and such, go overboard in order to prevent
you from examining them.
Politicians do not want
you to see the details of their legislation.
Fast talking salesmen do not want you to read the fine print or make comparisons. Religions want you to take their word as
gospel, without examination.
But Christianity hides
nothing.It puts truth out in front of
humanity and all of the world for all to see and
examine.
Your examination must
approach any and all subjects from a position of objectivity, and not from
personal bias.
When a person wants to
believe something, then finding proof comes easy. They simply start with their conclusion or
preferred conclusion, and then fill in the details of convenience to support
their desires.This is not careful
examination.
In this verse, the test
of truth is worded in such a fashion as to proving the worth of metals. Metals are proved through the use of high
heat, a blast furnace of sorts. The test
is objective and accurate and produces accurate and consistent results every time
it is applied.
Christianity does not
require people to abandon their instincts, their logic, their reason, but to
apply them when hearing the scriptures, to reaffirm them as truth, from within
their own minds.Christianity does not
require blind faith, or to be gullible, but to approach their spiritual life
through educated faith, based on facts, which is based on truth.
This approach to life
and truth, also places a governor or check and balance on the motives of
organizations, or governments, which would have you comply with their rules and
opinions without question.
Prejudice, error, tyranny,
fanaticism, political views and such, attempt to repress examination,
discussion, debate, or even independent oversight. They demand compliance or enforce it through
intimidation or even social ostracism.
Christianity, offers
truth and receives its followers through voluntary belief. Truth manifests itself and when truth is
discerned, then it should be held on to, as one would hold on, to vast riches.
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