Lesson Description

As we study the Bible, we may encounter ideas that we have accepted for many years because of our upbringing, church traditions, personal experiences, or the teachings of others. However, not every belief we hold necessarily represents what Scripture teaches.

In this lesson, we will learn how to examine our beliefs in the light of God’s Word, distinguish biblical teaching from personal assumptions, and remain willing to correct our understanding when Scripture reveals that we have misunderstood something.

Our goal is not to reject everything we have previously learned, but to ensure that our beliefs are grounded in the truth of God’s Word rather than in human opinions alone.

1. Not Everything We Believe Comes Directly from Scripture

People develop beliefs through many different influences. Some beliefs come from reading the Bible, while others come from family traditions, cultural expectations, personal experiences, or teachings received from religious leaders.

These influences can shape how we interpret Scripture, sometimes without our even realising it.

For example, someone may believe that a particular practice is compulsory for every Christian simply because they have always seen it practised in their church.

However, before accepting that conclusion, we should ask whether Scripture actually establishes the practice as a requirement.

A practice may be helpful without being a universal biblical command. Likewise, a tradition may have value without being the foundation of our faith.

The important principle is this: we must distinguish between what the Bible commands, what it permits, what it illustrates, and what people have added through their own assumptions.

Scripture Reading: Mark 7:7–8 (KJV)

Mark 7:7

“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

Mark 7:8

“For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.”

Jesus addressed a situation in which human traditions were being given a place that interfered with God’s commandments.

His words demonstrate why we must be careful not to treat every religious tradition as though it carries the same authority as God’s Word.

This does not mean that every tradition is wrong. Rather, traditions must not replace or contradict what God has revealed.

2. Test What You Hear Against Scripture

When someone teaches a biblical principle, we should not accept or reject it merely because we like the speaker, respect the person’s position, or have heard the teaching many times.

Instead, we should examine the teaching and determine whether it agrees with Scripture.

Scripture Reading: Acts 17:11 (KJV)

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

The Bereans listened to the message Paul and Silas preached, but they also searched the Scriptures to examine what they were hearing.

Their example demonstrates that a willingness to learn should be accompanied by a desire to establish whether a teaching is true.

We should therefore be willing to examine teachings carefully, including those that come from respected Christian teachers.

Respect for a teacher should never prevent us from examining a teaching in the light of God’s Word.

3. Recognise the Difference Between Scripture and Personal Interpretation

Consider three different statements:

• Biblical statement: A truth explicitly communicated in Scripture.

• Interpretation: An explanation of what a biblical passage means.

• Personal assumption: A conclusion someone accepts without sufficient support from the biblical text.

These categories are related, but they are not identical.

For example, Scripture teaches that God hears prayer. However, if someone concludes that God must answer every prayer in precisely the way and at the time the person requests, that conclusion requires examination.

The fact that God hears prayer does not automatically establish every expectation a person may attach to prayer.

We must be careful not to turn our expectations into promises that Scripture has not made.

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

This verse encourages us to trust in the Lord rather than depending entirely on our own understanding.

It reminds us that our personal reasoning is not the ultimate authority for determining truth.

When our assumptions are challenged, we should be willing to examine them rather than defending them simply because they are familiar.

4. What Should We Do When Scripture Challenges Our Beliefs?

Discovering that we may have misunderstood a biblical teaching should not cause us to fear learning.

Instead, we should approach Scripture with humility and a willingness to grow.

Consider these steps:

First, identify the belief. Be clear about what you have been taught or what you personally believe.

Second, examine the relevant Scriptures. Read the passages that directly address the subject rather than relying on a single quotation without considering its meaning.

Third, distinguish evidence from assumption. Ask whether your conclusion follows from what the passage actually teaches.

Fourth, be willing to make corrections. If careful examination reveals that your belief is mistaken, allow your understanding to change.

Fifth, avoid replacing one unsupported assumption with another. Correcting a misunderstanding requires careful study, not simply adopting the opposite position.

Growing in biblical understanding is a process of learning to recognise truth more accurately.

5. Practical Example

Imagine that you have always heard someone teach that Christians must follow a particular religious practice to receive God’s acceptance.

You have accepted this teaching for many years, so questioning it initially feels uncomfortable.

Instead of immediately defending or rejecting the teaching, you examine the relevant Scriptures.

You ask whether the Bible presents the practice as a command, an example, a matter of personal conscience, or a tradition established by people.

As you study, you begin to distinguish what the biblical text actually teaches from the additional conclusions people have attached to it.

You can then form a more informed understanding based on Scripture rather than familiarity alone.

The purpose of this exercise is not to encourage arguments with other believers. It is to develop a sincere commitment to understanding God’s Word accurately.

6. Let Scripture Correct Your Understanding

One of the signs of a teachable heart is the willingness to receive correction.

If we approach the Bible only to find support for what we already believe, we may overlook truths that challenge our thinking.

But when we allow Scripture to examine our beliefs, we create room for genuine learning.

This requires humility. We must be willing to say, “I may have misunderstood this passage, and I need to study it more carefully.”

Such an attitude does not weaken our faith. It helps us build our understanding on a more reliable foundation.

Remember

Do not confuse a familiar teaching, personal opinion, or religious tradition with the direct teaching of Scripture. Examine what you hear, establish what the Bible actually says, and remain willing to correct your understanding when the evidence of Scripture requires it.

Our responsibility is not to force the Bible to agree with everything we already believe, but to allow our beliefs to be shaped by what the Bible teaches.