Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

“We are all prone to deceit and self-delusion; no man can see himself aright without the light of God’s Word.” — John Owen

Two things can be true at the same time that seem at odds—God is sovereign, and man is responsible.

Today, however, it is often the case that Christians affirm what is objectively true and then, at the same time, affirm what is contrary but feels true.

While two truths can stand together—such as God being both Just and Love—what we often find in ourselves is not two truths, but truth on one hand and what only feels true on the other. We fail to see these inconsistencies until someone else sheds light on them.

Often, we hold to what is true while simultaneously clinging to what feels true, without realizing it, because we judge things superficially and fail to test all things Biblically.

For example:
• Can it be true that while a heretic proclaims the Gospel, God may save some in spite of them, while we also obey God in warning that this person teaches heresy?
• Can it be true that when a platform is shared by those who represent the true Gospel, a false gospel, and even false gods, the true Gospel may still be proclaimed—and yet much harm may result to the purity of the Gospel because of its ecumenical nature?

You see, we have beliefs rooted in truth, and we also have beliefs shaped by emotions and experiences. Emotions are not inherently bad. Experiences are not inherently bad. But if we elevate emotions and experiences to the level of authority alongside Scripture, we create conflict—often without even realizing it.

If we don’t test these things according to Scripture, they will be tested—and we will be forced to choose.

In order to justify what we believed on the basis of feeling or experience, Scripture will inevitably be compromised.

Even the most faithful defenders of the authority, sufficiency, inerrancy, and immutability of Scripture are vulnerable to experiences that stir deep emotions and set themselves in opposition to God’s Word.

No one is exempt from such temptations.

We all have confirmation bias. We either submit it to Scripture, or we twist Scripture to fit it.

Thus, the authority of Scripture is not only under attack from false teachers, but even from within the hearts of those who are otherwise doctrinally sound. They, too, must wrestle with their own bias, emotions, and experiences that stand against Scripture.

It is easy to find people who agree with us and support us in error. What we need are brothers and sisters who will come alongside us, open the Scriptures with us, and keep our eyes fixed on Christ and His Word. Only then can we discern whether what we feel, believe, or have experienced is holy and true—or whether it is a counterfeit, dangerously close to the truth yet still false.

Any man who thinks he cannot err is both deceived and dangerous.

Scripture alone is perfect and holy. It is the standard by which all our thoughts, feelings, and experiences must be tested.

No matter how strongly we believe something, that does not make it true. We can be utterly convinced of a lie. The question is not how strongly we believe, but whether what we believe is true according to the Word of God.

Grace and Peace, y’all.
Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan