How Can I Know Who Is Right?

By Greg Gwin

An extremely confusing situation exists in our religious world today. There are literally hundreds of different groups, all teaching diverse and conflicting doctrines. Something is seriously wrong. It is a simple fact that not all of these folks can be right about what they teach. It then becomes a very important question for us to ask: "How can I know what is right?"

In seeking the answer to this question, we must have the proper regard for the following concepts:

1. We are searching for God's answer, not man's. Many will be sadly disappointed in judgment when they find their worship has been "in vain", because they have followed "the commandments of men" rather than the will of God (Matthew 15:9).

2. God's truth is revealed solely and exclusively in the Bible. Despite the claims of many people today, no one has received spiritual truth in any other way. "...thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

3. Not only is truth found in God's word, but we also have the confidence that every bit of truth we need is contained therein. The Scriptures teach us all we need to be "complete, furnished completely unto every good work"
(2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

4. The Bible teaches that there are many false teachers in the world, and that we should "believe not every spirit:, but try the spirits whether they are of God"
(1 John 4:1).

5. Finally, we must be determined to accept God's word, and nothing else. "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:9).

Understanding then how important it is to "know who is right" in matters of religion, we become aware of the need to carefully consider what we believe and practice. While the situation seems confusing at first, if we will apply these principles, we can find the answer to the vital question: "Who is right?" Don't forget, Jesus said that truth is discernable: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). To this end may God bless us all.