During the course of four years in Torah, I have listened to
many teachers.
There are wonderful resources available to us, and today’s technology makes
these resources available around the world instantaneously.
We live in a time of great blessing.
I have learned that some teachers are better than others – not because they
agree with my thoughts, but because they teach what the Scriptures tell us.
I have also learned that not a single teacher has everything right, myself included.
With this idea in mind, I have a few thoughts to share, as well as a few bible verses that are applicable.
#1
As I have stated numerous times in my various blog articles, do not believe anything I say.
Ever.
I have no desire for anyone to believe what I write here, simply because I studied it and wrote about it.
Use what I have presented as a resource and study it for yourselves.
Let the Word that is written settle the matter for you. Let the inspired Word of Yehova be your authority. Allow Yeshua Messiah, the Word become flesh, to be your authority.
I may present an idea or a topic as a catalyst, but don’t stop there.
As Zach Bauer likes to say, “Go home and read your bible.”
#2
Following up with #1, don’t accept any man’s word as truth.
Yes, we can develop trust in certain teachers.
Yes, we can value the teaching of others.
But no, we should not believe everything anyone says, no matter what and without question.
Trust but verify.
#3
It is not rebellious or sinful to study the Word, even if another teacher has already done so.
If a teacher tells you not to study the Word on your own, be wary.
Confirming in the Word should be encouraged, as scripture dictates that is what we are to do (supporting verses to follow below).
Unfortunately, this becomes a mine field at times since there are teachers who do not teach the truth, whether unintentional or with malice. This is why we are directed to know the Scriptures for ourselves.
In addition, there are some (without sound knowledge of the scriptures) who will dispute the truth. This can be tiresome, but it is not sinful to study and learn. The hope is that what is written in scripture will prevail, for both the teacher and the student.
Here are a few bible verses supporting what I’m trying to say:
1Thessalonians 5:19-22
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast to what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
What do we learn here?
—Do not quench the Spirit—
John 14:26
26“But the Helper, the Set-apart Spirit, whom the Father shall send in My Name, He shall teach you all, and remind you of all that I said to you.”
Scripture specifically tells us that the Ruach will teach us, and remind us of the Words of Elohim.
This is why we are told in 1Thessalonians to not quench the Spirit.
However, the Ruach is not the only thing that can lead us.
We also have to contend with our own thoughts and desires.
We have to contend with haSatan, who is willing to deceive and destroy.
Just because we feel “led to believe” something does not mean that it is coming from the Ruach, the Holy Spirit.
That is why we are told to test all things and hold fast to that which is good.
If we learn from a teacher, test it to see if it is true.
If we feel a leading of the Spirit, test it to see if it is true. We need to verify whether we are hearing from the Set Apart Spirit of Elohim, or if we are being influenced by something else, even our own thoughts. The same applies to teachers. They may teach with honest sincerity, as they feel led, but this alone does not make them correct. Being in alignment with the whole of scripture is what makes them correct, and we are instructed to confirm and verify.
How do we do this?
How do we test all things?
We are told in scripture exactly how to do this:
Acts 17:10-11
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
The Bereans are presented as an example in this matter.
When Paul taught in Berea, they did not simply accept his teachings “because he is Paul of the bible”.
What did they do?
They searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether or not Paul’s teachings were true.
Again, let the Word that is written be your authority.
Teachers will invest time in study and then share what they learn with others.
This is a huge blessing.
This is something we should value.
But we are not to believe them without confirming their teaching.
Paul is one of the most well-studied teachers in all of history.
Paul was supernaturally called to serve by Yeshua Messiah Himself.
And yet, we are taught in scripture to not blindly believe his teachings without doing our own study of the Scriptures. If this applies to Paul, then it certainly applies to teachers today.
2Timothy 2:15
Do your utmost to present yourself approved to Elohim, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the Word of Truth.
We are required to make our own efforts, to present ourselves approved before Yehova.
We are to rightly handle the Word of Truth.
We are not to blindly believe what a teacher tells us, even if our teacher has a proven track record of being trustworthy. We can be blessed by the teaching of others, but we are expected to make our own efforts to study the Truth ourselves.
Confirm and verify.
Doing so is not rebellious or disrespectful.
It is required of us in the Scriptures.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
In my experience, no one has every single thing right.
Well respected and trusted teachers have changed their position at times, updating or completely starting over with a given topic. This is growth, and is to be expected.
Some people have proven themselves to be excellent teachers.
As men and women, we are to help one another, by studying the Scriptures and holding to Truth.
Iron sharpens iron, and no teacher is excluded.
My last thought on this topic:
Be respectful.
Be helpful.
Do not argue.
Be humble, and let the Word be your authority whether you are a teacher or a student.
