Scripture, the Final Authority on Truth

Scripture, the Final Authority on Truth

Many believers in a sincere effort to draw close to Yahweh expand their reading list to sources which are not part of scripture. While we all should use study materials which help us with the original languages and help us with the historical context of scripture we have to keep in mind that these are the works of men, not the Inspired Word of Yahweh. Truth comes from Yahweh's word not man's word.

Scripture tells us that Yahweh's word is truth.

Psalms 119:160
The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

John 17:17
Set them apart by Your truth. Your word is truth.

True worshipers worship in truth not in falsehood.

John 4:23-24
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. "Yahweh is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Scripture warns us not to turn aside from the truth. There will be an alternate "truth" taught.

2 Timithy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Colossains 2:8
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Messiah.

The world is being influenced by Satan.

1 John 5:19
We know that we are of Yahweh, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

A true believer must love the truth of Yahweh and hold on to it now more than ever.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-11
and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason Yahweh will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

What kind of teachings do our carnal minds come up with?

Romans 8:6-7
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against Yahweh; for it is not subject to the law of Yahweh, nor indeed can be.

Isaiah 55:8-9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says Yahweh. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Our natural physical tendencies put us at odds with our Creator.

Mark 7:7-8
And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "For laying aside the commandment of Yahweh, you hold the tradition of men-- the washing of pitchers and cups, and MANY other such things you do."

Are we holding on to any customs and traditions which do not come from the Word of Yahweh but from our own imaginings? Are we letting others lead us away from Yahweh's truth to false teachings and fables which are not supported by scripture?

Isaiah 3:12
As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths."

Titus 1:7-14
For an overseer must be blameless, as a steward of Yahweh, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.

What should be leading us?

Psalms 43:3
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.

Yahweh's light and Yahweh's truth not some man's interpretations. What did the Bereans study?

Acts 17:10-11
The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Did they search other sources? Did they consult with the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Scribes? No, they went directly to source of Yahweh' truth and so can we!

Without Yahweh we are nothing. Truth comes from Yahweh, not from man.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6
not that we are competent in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from Yahweh. He has made us competent to be servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

What is our protection against deception?

2 Timothy 3:13-17
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Messiah Yahshua. All Scripture is given by inspiration of Yahweh, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Yahweh may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Yahweh wants us to listen to Him through His word. Not to add or take away from His word.

John 5:24
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, Yahweh will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, Yahweh shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

In summation, Yahweh gave us His word that we may learn from it. True believers follow scripture, if they are incorrect in their understanding they let scripture correct them. False teachings creep in when we start turning to other sources: so-called experts, apocryphal books, commentaries, etc. These are the thoughts and works of men, this is how racist teachings and other garbage sneak into the ekklessia. Someone was not satisfied with what scripture says so they went looking for something else and Satan was ready to give them what they wanted. Others disagree with scripture and start throwing out entire books of the Bible, many will do anything so that "their" doctrines will not be contradicted. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE? Yahweh's inspired word or some fable created by man?