Inspection
When we go over the produce section of the local grocery, we carefully inspect the fruit, don't we? We thump the watermelons. We smell the canteloupes. We gently squeeze the tomatoes. We visually examine the grapes.
Surely none of us would purchase a piece of fruit without first engaging in some sort of thorough examination, right? And yet, how many of us accept religious doctrines and practices without the same kind of scrutiny?
On one occasion Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a bad tree bears bad fruit...Therefore by their fruits you will know them" ( Matt. 7:15-17, 20).
Dear reader, before you "buy" what a preacher says, make sure you inspect it critically (cf. Rom. 16:17; 1 John 4:1). You wouldn't want a bitter piece of fruit, would you? Think about it.