Is it entirely true?

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. (Colossians 2:8-10)

Whether we know it or not, there is a bunch of 'empty babble' being thrown around each and every day - even in the church. Empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense are everywhere. We have to apply 'filters' in order to weed through what is being portrayed as truth and 'worthwhile' reports in order to really find God's truth in the matter, don't we? Without those 'filters' given to us in the Word of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, we'd get duped into believing everything we heard.

The Bereans were a group of Jews who listened to the message Paul brought to Macedonia, then went off to 'test' each teaching to see if it was true. They looked deep into the scriptures to 'test' it because they didn't live by the philosophy that 'if it sounded good, then it must be good'. They measured each teaching against the Word because they knew the Word of God to be true. If something didn't measure up, they rejected it. If it did, they embraced it, learning whatever they could from that teaching. They were commended for their wise use of the Word.

"Blind acceptance" of any teaching, even when it sounds good, is never wise. ALL teaching needs to be tested against the Word of God, under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. If it rings true after all that examination, we can accept it as truth and take away whatever lesson lies within it. If it rings 'mostly true', we hold onto the truth but reject that which doesn't ring true. This may come as a surprise to some, but not every message that is purported to be 'biblical' or 'Christian' is 'spot on'. In today's world, as much as in biblical times, there are 'mixed messages'. Some of it is truth, while other parts of it are human wisdom or earthly in nature. 

God doesn't want any of his kids to be 'duped' - so learn to test the message. Review it against the scriptures. Pray over it. Does it 'ring true' to ALL the teachings of God, or just a select few. Remember, scripture isn't to be used in 'small doses', but in its entirety! Just sayin!