1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” Unfortunately, outsourcing discernment is quite common for Christians these days. Various celebrity Christians are considered the ultimate truthbearers. There is a tendency to venerate popular teachers and leaders. Indeed, for many Christians, only their pastor or their denomination has a monopoly on what’s biblical or true. Of course, this isn’t a new problem.
Paul absolutely spanked the Corinthians for doing the same thing. He remarked, “Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided?” Amusingly, he later added, “For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?” That’s some first-century, old-school savagery. In other words, stop putting men on a pedestal; stop idolizing Christian leaders. Paul concluded:
“So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” [1 Corinthians 3:21-23]
Note that twice we’re told all things belong to us. Elsewhere we learn that we “have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.” That’s right, there is no difference between clergy and laity with God. We have the relationship with God that we choose to have. You get out what you put in. If you want to outsource your relationship with God to a pastor, go for it. Prepare to be disappointed.
It’s up to us, individually, to listen to the Holy Spirit and determine right from wrong. Jesus promised, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Indeed, we have the mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and lets us know what’s to come. To get a better sense of what God is saying, make a habit of spending time with Him. In the morning, Jesus would go to a secluded place and pray. He frequently went to places where He could get alone time with the Father. It’s important to have quality time like this with God. Jesus said, “when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father.” It’s good to set a regular time to talk to God every day.
Dedicate your life to Jesus, refuse to be conformed to the world and renew your mind. Don’t let anything come between you and God. Don’t value anything in this world more than you value God. Seek God’s approval, not the approval of men. Put on Christ by rebuking the lusts of the flesh and activating the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Treat everything as a potential avenue of communication. God is always speaking to us; we have to pay attention!