This verse instructs us to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” The word for “prove” is dokimazo, which means to examine or scrutinize a thing to see whether or not it is genuine. Matthew 7:20 states, “By their fruit ye shall know them.”
As sinners, we so often call attention to the faults and weaknesses of others. It is very easy to find things to condemn when examining someone’s life. But, the Bible teaches that we are to know no man after the flesh (2), and that we will know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren (3).
Love is one of the key fruits that we should look for when inspecting the fruit of a person or ministry. The principle is that man always looks on the outward (4); (5), whereas God always looks on the inward condition of the heart. Has your heart been filled with God’s love? Would this loved die for those whom it is accusing? We prove all things, and then hold fast to that which is good. “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity” (I Corinthians 13:13).
- Atmospheric Cycles - January 30, 2018
- A Walk That Defeats the Enemy - July 14, 2017
- Don’t Be an Abstract Christian - March 18, 2017
