How do we know whether someone is teaching truth?

Don't be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine!

The Bible teaches us the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and yet there are many disagreements about what the Bible says. Paul talked about this in Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children,tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” (KJV)

How did Paul say we would be protected from the winds of doctrine? Christ, “gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God...” (Eph 4:11-13 KJV) That unity is important and possible because, “There is one body, and one Spirit,... One Lord, one faith, one baptism...” (Eph 4:4-5 KJV). 

Apostles and prophets can help us to find the “One Lord,” and yet Mathew warned, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matt 7:15 KJV) Fortunately, Mathew also tells us how to discern whether someone is a false prophet. “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt 7:16-20 KJV)

Unfortunately, looking at “fruits,” can be confusing too, especially if we listen to deceptive voices. Christ talked about this problem, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” (Matt 11:18-19 KJV) Just as John and Christ were called “wicked” in an attempt to deceive, true prophets of God will be called wicked as well by some who want to deceive.

John gives us more help, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:” (1 John 4:1-2 KJV)

The Holy Spirit can reveal the truth to us. Christ talked about this, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13 KJV)

In summary, the Bible teaches us if we are not careful we will be tossed around by winds of doctrine, but Apostles and Prophets will help us be unified around one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. In order to identify true Prophets, we must seek for and listen to the Spirit of Truth as we try to discern their works and listen to their testimony of Christ. As we do so, the truth will be revealed to us!