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The apostle Paul wrote this admonition to the brethren at Thessalonica, “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good,” 1Thessalonians 5:21. Our word examine is translated from dokimazo, which is derived from a word that means much more than just to look at closely. It denotes tested in battle, and therefore refers to a process by which something or someone is proven as reliable, trustworthy, or worthy. It is particularly used of metals that have been tested or proven to be genuine or pure, cf. 1Chronicles 28:18; 29:4. Thus, Paul is urging his brethren to test or prove all things, and then to hold fast only to that which is proven as worthy, or good.
We live in an age when many things are perhaps questioned, but few are examined or proven. Some seem to think it noble or cavalier to question everything, and surely it is, but only if done for the proper purpose of proving and holding fast to that which is good. However, to merely question indiscriminately without really desiring to find what is worthy, or refuse to then be willing to cling or hold fast to it once it has been proven, is neither noble nor wise. Surely such is at least a part of what Paul had in mind when he wrote Timothy to “instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines… which give rise to mere speculation rather than the furthering of God’s provision which is by faith,” 1Timothy 1:4. To question, examine, and prove everything is honest, pure, and good. But to merely question for the sake of questioning produces only doubt and despair. And so it is, as least as I see it, with many today who seem to question everything and answer nothing. They seem to be in love with merely questioning everything, rather than using it as a necessary process of examination and proving in order to find what is good, and then holding fast to it. Thus, they are left in the quagmire of doubt to hold fast only to their questions, and have no good answers to which to cling to and stand on to and move forward.
Just as troubling is the apparent tendency of holding fast to that which hasn’t been thoroughly examined or proven. Indeed, such is blind faith. Attempts to justify such a position by pointing out the abundance of false information miss the point. While copious amounts of misinformation are certainly not only available, but vying for our attention and acceptance, Paul placed the responsibility upon us to examine and prove before holding fast (or disseminating). To cling to that which has not been examined and proven is just as fatal to the conscientious determination of good as it is to merely question without the real intent and purpose of finding and clinging to that which is proven true and reliable. Both leave us only in the ignorant darkness of doubt and despair instead of in the illumination of truth, knowledge, faith, and hope, John 1:4-5; 8:12,31-32.
Perhaps an example will help to make these things more clear. Acts 17:10 says the Bereans were “more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.” Did you get that? The Bereans were noble-minded because: they had the right attitude of receiving the word with great eagerness; they had the right activity of examining the Scriptures; had the right frequency of doing so daily; and, they had the right purpose of doing the right things in the right ways at the right times for the right reason! The result? “Many of them therefore believed...” Acts 17:11. Because they questioned for the right reason or purpose, and they examined in the right way, they were blessed with the right result: something proven that they could believe in, hold fast to, and be saved by- the word salvation through Jesus Christ!
Yes, absolutely, question or carefully examine everything. But do so to for the right reason of proving and finding what is good, and then hold fast to and stand firm on it! This is walking in the light as He is in the light, 1John 1:7. Don’t just question everything to be questioning everything, and don’t refuse to hold fast to that which is proven “good” by proper examination. Such is only sitting in darkness, and never proves or accomplishes anything good.
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