The following is from an Associated Press news release: 10:44 a.m. Jan. 22, 2004
LONDON – Britain’s biggest hiking magazine apologized Wednesday after its latest issue contained a route that would lead climbers off the edge of a cliff on Britain’s tallest peak.
The February edition of Trail magazine gives advice on making a safe descent for hikers caught in bad weather in Scotland. But the magazine’s directions would instead lead readers off the north face of the 4,046 foot mountain, which is notorious for its changeable weather and has claimed the lives of several climbers. Anyone following that route in poor visibility and with snow cover could easily have walked straight off the edge.
This publication, usually very reliable, made a grievous error, and could have caused several to lose their lives.
This is not the only “publication” that can be dangerous. We humans tend to be very trusting, some more than others. We have laughed at the idea that “If it’s in the newspaper, it must be true.” Some have the same attitude toward the network news, or “my preacher.” From the scams on the internet to honest misleading by religious leaders, many are led “straight off the edge,” just as those who put their trust in that magazine.
There is another way. That is to investigate the source of your direction. Many are deceived because they take every word of others at face value, not using good judgment, not making sure of the validity of their authority.
Biblically, all authority rests in the God who made us. He has revealed His way of life for us, and has given it in the person of Jesus Christ, and in the words of the New Testament. When his enemies challenged Paul, he did not lean on his own intellect, though he had a keen mind. He did not place his complete trust in the words of men. He did not go to the words of Moses.
In Acts 17:11, Paul gives us the way to determine whether our views and guidance are correct:
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
How do your determine the truth of your way of life? Is it from the movies, or TV, or the example of friends? Or is it the “Scriptures” trusted by Paul? Some of his hearers needed to know if Paul’s words were true, because his instruction bore the weight of their eternal destiny.
Paul did not criticize their desire for “authority” concerning their spiritual health. He did not bristle at their “second opinion” question. He enthusiastically commended the Bereans for looking to their (and our) only source of God’s Truth, the scriptures. In essence, Paul said, “Don’t take my word for it. Search the Scriptures to see if what I say is true.”
What is your preferred source for direction in matters of ETHICS? Is it the philosophers of our day? Is it the example of the entertainment community? Is it athletic “idols”? None of the above bear the scrutiny of Truth, though many will follow them. Note the words inspired by the Holy Spirit in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped unto all good works.”
If this scripture is correct—and it certainly is—then in matters of MORALITY, it is our only trusted source, for it comes from the Creator to man.
What is your trusted source in your hope of SALVATION, of eternal life? Is it in the dogmas, the creeds, the conventions and synods of men? Many put their trust in these, and the division in the religious world is the result.
False religion will either accept another standard than the Bible, add words to the Bible, or take words away from the Bible. In any of these actions, Truth is rejected, and the suppositions of men are accepted instead. If you are interested in SALVATION, you should seek the counsel of that One who is the “author of eternal salvation,” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Hebrews 5:8-9.
You don’t have to be dumb or naïve to be tricked by Satan. He has done that for centuries. Being deceived by Satan only requires that we be willing to take advice from a source that is not only unreliable, but also misleading.
Don’t fall off the “edge” because of questionable counsel. Go right straight to the Bible.
