It Is Written, Not Assumed

“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.” – Acts 17:11

Every sermon you hear is someone’s interpretation of Scripture. It’s one person’s attempt to explain what they believe God has said. That’s why humility matters so deeply. Paul praised the believers in Berea because they “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11, NKJV). They didn’t reject teaching, and they didn’t blindly accept it—they tested it. In a world filled with loud opinions, quick reactions, and endless spiritual clichés, God calls us to something better: open Bibles and open hearts. The Christian life isn’t built on opinions—it’s built on truth.

Humility is powerful because it keeps us teachable. When we discover we’ve misunderstood something, we don’t dig in—we dig deeper. God Himself invites us into that process: “Come now, and let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18, NKJV). He’s not threatened by our questions, and His Word is not fragile. Jesus modeled this perfectly in the wilderness. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus didn’t respond with emotion, tradition, or popular sayings. He responded with Scripture: “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4, NKJV). That’s our example. That’s our defense. And that’s why we must think—because God didn’t give us a video or a podcast; He gave us a Book that renews our minds and transforms our lives (Romans 12:2).

We must be willing to let Scripture challenge us. Some of what we’ll discover may press against things we have always believed. Some of it may expose practices we’ve carried for years that never came from the Bible. But that’s not something to fear—that’s something to celebrate. Because when the Word shines its light, assumptions fall away, truth rises, and freedom begins. We’re not here to preserve what we’ve always thought—we’re here to pursue what God has always said.

Think deeply. Test everything. Let the Word speak louder than tradition, emotion, or spiritual clichés. If Scripture challenges something you’ve held onto, don’t resist—lean in. That may be the very moment God is setting you free. As we walk through this life, let’s lay aside unbiblical practices, pick up the sword of the Spirit, and fight with truth that actually works.

“Truth is not determined by opinion or tradition; it is determined by the Word of God.” — John MacArthur