Does the Bible say to question everything?

[TJdude825]

In this thread, Lord Ashtar says (post #10),

Originally Posted by Lord Ashtar

... Even the Bible says to test everything. ...

and I'm just curious where exactly it says that and what the exact phrasing is, so that I can perhaps use it in an argument if the opportunity arises. I'm not looking for a debate on what it really means, or whether the Bible is indeed the word of God or not, etc. I'm just looking for facts. Thank you in advance.

[ricksummon]

Well, there's 1 John 4:1, which says:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Also Matthew 7:15-20:

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

"Fruits" in this case means their actions and the results of those actions.

[LivingInThePast]

Originally Posted by TJdude825

In this thread, Lord Ashtar says ...

Well, why not just ask Lord Ashtar?

[TJdude825]

Well, that's what I had intended to do by asking in the thread itself. But then the thread went in several directions and I got the sense nobody would get to my question. Since it was kinda off-topic anyway, I decided to bring it here. But I'll ask him anyway to see if he knows of any other passages that ricksummon missed.

[MEBuckner]

Well, the Bible definitely doesn't say to test everything:

Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah. -- Deuteronomy 6:16

(See also Exodus 17:1-7, and Matthew 4:7 and Luke 4:12.)

[Electronic Chaos]

Originally Posted by MEBuckner

Well, the Bible definitely doesn't say to test everything:

I seriously had no idea the NIV was written by slaves.

[Krokodil]

Gee, the OP made me realize how long it's been since I'd seen the expression "RTFM!"

[rowrrbazzle]

Also 1Th 5:21 - "Test all things; hold fast what is good." (KNJV)

[kanicbird]

Well, the Bible definitely doesn't say to test everything:

IIRC we are authorized to test everything, but may not temp (God). In some cases there is a fine line between the 2.

[Paul in Qatar]

(Operating from memory here...) In The Song of Solomon we find....
"Test all things, keep those that prove true.'

[Lord Ashtar]

Sorry it took so long, but I just got TJdude825's email. My email service has been acting funny as of late.

The verse I was referring to was 1 Thesalonians 5:21. To take it in context:

12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
25Brothers, pray for us. 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.