It Takes An Expert To Tell

[The Bereans] . . . searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Acts 17:11

Lots of people who want to adorn themselves with diamonds use the classic counterfeit—cubic zirconium. While it’s pretty easy to tell the imitations from real diamonds, scientists have devised a way to actually create real diamonds in the laboratory. These lab creations are so good that gemologists have a hard time distinguishing manufactured diamonds from mined ones.

To tell the difference, an expert’s checklist is applied: color, intensity, weight, brilliance, and hardness. Without it, an imposter could pass off a two-day-old diamond for one that took thousands of years to develop. The same is true with spiritual truth. If Christians don’t know their Bibles, spiritual imposters can pass off all manner of lies as truth. It’s not enough for someone to do miracles in Jesus’ name. Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. We have to own, use, and study our Bibles so that we can know the truth. We have to have the desire of an expert—a desire not to be deceived.

If study and care are taken in determining the quality of a precious stone, how much more should the same effort be applied to the precious Word of God?