Testing Analogies and Examples Against Scripture Discernment

Discernment, in a biblical context, involves the careful evaluation of teachings, prophecies, and spiritual manifestations to determine their truthfulness and origin ^[12]. This process is crucial for believers to distinguish between genuine divine communication and that which is false or misleading. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21), indicating an active role in testing what is presented as spiritual truth ^[12].

One primary method for testing analogies and examples is to compare them directly with the established Word of God, the Scripture ^[12]. This approach is exemplified by the Bereans, who "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). The Bible itself warns against adding to or subtracting from its contents, as seen in Revelation 22:18-19, which pronounces a curse on anyone who alters the book's message ^[7]. This emphasizes the integrity and finality of the biblical text as a standard for truth. Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32 also contain similar warnings against altering divine commands ^[7].

The principle of not tempting God is also relevant to discernment. When the devil tempted Jesus to throw himself down from the temple, citing Psalm 91, Jesus countered by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16: "You shall not tempt the Lord your God" (Matthew 4:6). This demonstrates that even scriptural citations can be misused or misapplied, and true discernment involves understanding the proper context and intent of the text ^[11]. Neglecting ordinary means of safety and expecting divine preservation without them is considered a form of tempting God ^[11].

Historically, the need for careful discernment has been recognized in Christian scholarship. Editors and commentators, while respecting the original text, have sought to clarify ambiguities and correct errors that may have arisen over time ^[10]. For instance, John Chrysostom's homilies, while valuable, sometimes include interpolations or amplifications that may not accurately reflect his original thought, necessitating careful textual criticism ^[8]. Similarly, when dealing with ancient texts like the Psalms, scholars sometimes note differences between the Septuagint (Greek translation) and the Hebrew reckoning, requiring attention to the original sources for accurate interpretation ^[9].

The Bible provides numerous cross-references that can aid in discerning the consistency of themes and teachings. For example, the concept of committing one's way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5) is cross-referenced with the idea that no one knows what is to come (Ecclesiastes 9:1) ^[1]. Similarly, the idea of turning mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11) is linked to a time for weeping and a time for laughing (Ecclesiastes 3:4) ^[2]. Such connections help to build a coherent understanding of biblical principles. Other cross-references, such as those for Revelation 11:3, connect various passages that speak to themes of witness, testimony, and divine judgment, reinforcing the interconnectedness of Scripture ^[3]. The practice of giving thanks (Psalm 34:1) is linked to the growth of faith (2 Thessalonians 1:3) ^[4], and fulfilling vows (Jonah 2:9) is connected to the importance of keeping promises to God (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5) ^[5]. Even the futility of human effort without God's blessing (Psalm 127:1) finds resonance in the unpredictable nature of success (Ecclesiastes 9:11) ^[6].

Sources

OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.37.5 → Eccl.9.1 (confidence: 28 votes)”
OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.30.11 → Eccl.3.4 (confidence: 12 votes)”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 11:3 cross-references: Genesis 37:34, Numbers 11:26, Deuteronomy 17:6, Deuteronomy 19:15, 1 Chronicles 21:16, Esther 4:1, Job 16:15, Isaiah 22:12, Lamentations 2:10, Daniel 12:7, Matthew 18:16, Luke 24:48, John 3:5, John 3:27, John 15:27, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:32, Acts 3:15, Acts 13:31, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 2 Corinthians 13:1, Ephesians 4:11, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 11:2, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 13:5, Revelation 19:10, Revelation 20:4”
OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.34.1 → 2Thess.1.3 (confidence: 12 votes)”
OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Jonah.2.9 → Eccl.5.4-Eccl.5.5 (confidence: 10 votes)”
OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.127.1 → Eccl.9.11 (confidence: 14 votes)”
Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 22:18: 22:18-19 I solemnly declare: John issues an oath to protect the integrity of the book of Revelation. He declares a curse upon anyone who alters the contents of the book or its message (cp. Deut 4:2; 12:32). The curse contrasts with the statement of blessing on all who read aloud, listen to, and obey the prophecy (Rev 1:3). At the time Revelation was written, scribes would sometimes alter books to suit their own views. Early Christians quickly developed means of authenticating both messages and messengers (see John 21:24; 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 The”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: oftener still amplifies, or rather dilutes: and interpolates matter which sometimes is demonstrably borrowed with little disguise from the Catena (see p. 113, note 1; 279, note 3; 280, note 2); or which, when it is his own, is little worth. In short, he has thought more of sound than of sense, and if he could make a passage run smoothly to the ear, has given himself little concern whether St. Chrysostom was likely to have so thought, or so expressed himself. The notes appended to our Translation will abundantly substantiate this censure. To have note”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: sections are numbered throughout: where the division seemed to be inconvenient, the number is given in the margin. In the earlier Homilies a second series of numbers is employed to mark the sections in the translation; this was discontinued as unnecessary, and the Benedictine only retained. In some of the references to the Psalms, where the Septuagint differs much from the Hebrew, the numbers given are those of the Greek. Care will be taken in the Index of Texts to give always the reference to the Psalm and Verse according to the Hebrew reckoning fo”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 1.9: immortal work, there is no doubt that he would reject every error which the increased facilities for criticism would have enabled him to detect, and that he would throw fresh light on many topics which were, in his day, dimly seen, or quite misunderstood. And though it belongs not to an Editor to alter what is erroneous, or to incorporate in his Author’s Work any thoughts of his own, or of other men; yet it is not beyond his province, — provided he does it with becoming modesty, and with adequate information, — to point out mistake”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 4:6: Jesus saith unto him, it is written again,.... Christ takes no notice of the false and wrong citation of scripture made by the devil, nor of any misapplication of it; but mildly replies, by opposing another passage of scripture to him, Deu 6:16 ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, thereby tacitly showing, that he had produced scripture to a very wrong purpose, since that could never contradict itself; and also, that for a person to neglect the ordinary means of safety, and to expect, that as God can, so he will, preserve without the use of such means, is a tempting ”
1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 5:21: Some of the oldest manuscripts insert "But." You ought indeed not to "quench" the manifestations of "the Spirit," nor "despise prophesyings"; "but," at the same time, do not take "all" as genuine which professes to be so; "prove (test) all" such manifestations. The means of testing them existed in the Church, in those who had the "discerning of spirits" (Co1 12:10; Co1 14:29; Jo1 4:1). Another sure test, which we also have, is, to try the professed revelation whether it accords with Scripture, as the noble Bereans did (Isa 8:20; Act 17:11; Gal”

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