Can I be a Berean?

I’ve been doing a lot of introspection lately. It’s been a good experience because God has revealed 3 issues that I am trying to work through. I won’t talk about all three in one post because that would be a really long post; however, I do want to address one right now.

Most of my life I’ve let myself be spoon fed my "religion". The fault has definitely been mine. I’ve been seeking truth in a lot of Christian books. I love to read but I should be more zealous about Scripture than the latest book from the newest trendy author.I haven`t really been diligent about checking what people (pastors, authors, friends, etc.) say against the truth in scripture. Let`s be honest, it's easier for someone else to do the work. I’ll admit that I’m rather lazy when it comes to checking what someone I trust says against scripture. If it sounds about right, it’s truth. Friends, that is not right. My mind is not the measuring stick for truth. Scripture is.

I want to be like this:
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." -Acts 17:11

I think I have the first part down. “They received the message with great eagerness.” I am definitely eager to hear what others have to say concerning theology. I like the way other people think and interpret things. It makes the Word more like a pop-up book rather than my one-dimensional thinking.

However I am not so great at the second part- “and [they] examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Why? Lazy. I’m satisfied with their brand of theology. Wow. I am about three steps away from following someone into the woods and drinking the Kool-Aid. This is not good. I feel like a lot of people do this though. We automatically assume just because a pastor said it, it’s truth. We need to be diligent in checking what people say against scripture. I don’t think it’s disrespectful to examine what someone says against the scriptures. In fact, if someone tells you not too.. that should be a huge red flag.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is that I want to be like the Bereans. Not only should I be eager to hear God’s Word preached but I should be checking what I am hearing/reading and not just blindly accepting whatever they say as truth just because “it sounds about right”.