If you’ve ever scrolled through Christian content online and thought, Wait… is that biblical? Is that right? Are they taking that in context? you’re not alone.

We live in a time where everyone has a platform. Everyone can post a “word” or say, “God told me this,” even if they know very little about Scripture. A lot of it sounds good. Some of it may even feel right. But here’s the problem: not everything labeled Christian actually lines up with the Word of God.

The very first question ever asked in the Bible was by the serpent to Eve: Did God really say? He then quoted about 90% of God’s Word correctly and twisted the last 10%. That 10% changed everything and caused Eve to see God’s Word differently.

The same tactic still works today. This is why we need to know how to cut through the noise, test what we hear, and build confidence in discerning truth from error.

Why Knowing the Word Matters

If you’ve been around here for a while, you’ve probably heard me say: Don’t believe a single word I say. Don’t believe a single word anyone says. Test it against Scripture.

Why? Because if you don’t know the Word, you can’t know if what I’m saying is true. You can’t know if your pastor is right. You can’t know if that popular Instagram reel is biblical.

We live in a time where viral equals valid. But truth isn’t determined by likes or shares. It’s determined by what God actually says.

Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” The Bible is the final authority. Not influencers. Not viral posts. Not even your own feelings.

The Danger of Twisting Scripture

One of the most dangerous habits in modern Christianity is pulling verses out of context to create half-truth theology.

Take Philippians 4:13 for example: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Many use it as a motivational slogan for chasing dreams. But in context, Paul is talking about enduring hardship while in prison. Without that context, we turn a verse about perseverance in suffering into a self-help mantra.

The enemy has always twisted Scripture. In the garden with Eve. During the temptation of Jesus in Luke 4. Even now. This is why Acts 17:11 praises the Bereans for examining the Scriptures daily to see if what they were taught was true.

The Social Media Problem

Can you imagine what social media would look like if believers actually read their Bibles, understood them, and could recognize false teaching? Certain trends wouldn’t go viral. Certain “Christian” messages wouldn’t spread at all.

Just because something is trending in Christian circles doesn’t make it biblical. Words like manifest, alignment, and calling may sound spiritual, but without biblical grounding, they are either empty fluff or outright deception.

And let’s be clear — the universe is not God. Speaking to “the universe” is not the same as speaking to the Lord. That is a dangerous spiritual substitution.

The Gospel Doesn’t Need a Rebrand

The gospel is already good news. It doesn’t need to be rewritten or made more palatable. Galatians 1:6–8 warns against distorting the gospel and makes it clear: if it’s not the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and risen, it’s not from God.

Discernment is a Skill, Not Just a Gift

Discernment is not simply a spiritual gift that some have and others don’t. It’s a skill we are all called to grow in through time, consistency, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 5:14 says mature believers have their powers of discernment “trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” You don’t get there by passively consuming Christian content. You get there by studying the truth daily.

If you’re too busy for the Bible, you’re too busy. Making time for God’s Word is not optional for a believer. It’s foundational.

Red Flags That Something Isn’t Biblical

• It centers you, not Christ
• It ignores sin or repentance
• It uses Scripture without context
• It contradicts the clear teachings of Jesus
• It elevates “fresh revelation” over God’s Word
• It leaves you confused without pointing you back to Scripture
• It sounds good but doesn’t align with the Bible

If any of these are present, go back to the Word. Test everything.

The Truth is Greater Than the Hype

You don’t have to follow every Christian trend to be faithful. You don’t have to feel guilty for asking, Where is that in the Bible? And you don’t have to have perfect discernment right now, but you do need to start growing it.

God’s Word is enough. The Holy Spirit will guide you. But you have to open the Book.

Prayer:
Lord, light a fire in us to know Your Word. Give us the desire to study it, understand it, and recognize truth from lies. Make it clear what is from You and what is not. We thank You and praise You for Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Next Step

If this resonated with you, I want to help you take action. Grab my Free Discernment Guide. It’s a step-by-step resource that will help you test what you hear, study Scripture in context, and grow your confidence in biblical truth.

You can get it here: Free Discernment Guide

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