Why Discernment is Important, According to Proverbs and Other Scriptures
Have you ever heard the saying, “Don’t believe everything you hear”? That’s actually a big theme in the Bible, especially in the book of Proverbs. The Bible warns us not to be gullible—meaning, not to believe just anything someone tells us without thinking it through. Being too quick to believe can lead to trouble, and the Bible explains why it’s so important to use your head and not just go along with whatever you hear.
What Do the Scriptures Say?
Let’s break it down with some simple examples straight from the Bible:
· Proverbs 14:15: “The gullible believe anything they’re told; the prudent sift and weigh every word.” In other words, smart people don’t just accept everything blindly. They stop, think, and decide if something really makes sense.
· Proverbs 1:22: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?” This verse talks directly to the gullible, asking why they like being so easily misled. It’s almost like the Bible is saying, “Why do you want to keep falling for things that aren’t true?”
· Proverbs 9:6-18: Here, there’s a contrast between the wise, who listen to good advice, and the gullible, who get led down the wrong path and end up hurting themselves. It’s a reminder that being too trusting, without thinking, can have real consequences.
· 1 Corinthians 14:20: “Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” Paul tells Christians not to be “children” in their thinking—in other words, don’t be naïve. Be innocent when it comes to evil but be grown-ups in how you think and make decisions.
· 2 Timothy 3:6-7: This passage warns about people who take advantage of those who are easily tricked. It points out how dangerous it is to be “always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth”—meaning, you have to be careful and wise about what you believe.
· 1 John 4:1: “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Basically, don’t just accept things at face value. Ask questions, check if something lines up with what’s true, and don’t assume everyone is telling the truth.
What Does This Mean for Us?
The Bible isn’t saying we should never trust anyone or that we need to be suspicious all the time. Instead, it’s telling us to use wisdom and discernment—to think things through, ask questions, and make sure what we’re hearing or seeing is actually true.
It’s okay to be loving and open-minded, but we also need to be careful. If we believe everything without checking, we could get hurt, misled, or even help spread things that aren’t true. So next time you hear a new claim or someone tries to convince you of something, remember: Take a moment to think, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to say, “Let me look into that first.”
In short, the Bible wants us to be kind—but also smart. Don’t be gullible; be wise and thoughtful in everything you believe!
Blessings,
Minister Aleatha F Green
afrancinegreen.com 