See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8 ESV)
Forgeries
I saw a fake ten-dollar bill once. When I held it in my hand, examined it closely, and even sniffed it, I could not tell it was a forgery. But when I held it next to a REAL ten-dollar bill, the differences were more clear.
We are told a lot of lies these days. Whether presented by the media, by public speakers, or deceiving folk, often the untruths seem reliable and trustworthy.
The only way to detect them, is to compare what we are hearing to the Word of God. This is what the Bereans were doing when they heard Paul preach. (Acts 17:10-12) They heard eagerly, and then double checked. Note, they did not distrust Paul, His calling, or His knowledge. They were so glad at the news of the gospel, that they wanted to read it for themselves.
Rather than attempt to discern truth from fiction based on something else that we’ve read, or something else that we want to be true, or something else that we have simply always thought… check out ideas from trustworthy friends by comparing it to the Word of God. Because God’s Word alone is fully trustworthy.
In our world of forgeries, but ill intentioned, and well intentioned, we need something dependable.
Scripture alone.