Every day, we are bombarded with opinions, trending ideas, and loud voices claiming to know what’s true. In the midst of this noise, only one voice deserves our final allegiance: God’s Word.
The Bereans remind us of this timeless principle.
They listened carefully, studied faithfully, and refused to rest their faith on anything less than Scripture itself.
That same calling is ours today, and their example challenges us: will we let the culture dictate our beliefs, or will we anchor our minds and hearts in God’s Word, seeking understanding for ourselves?
Being Told What to Think
Many people navigate life by following the opinions of others. From social media trends to workplace policies, the temptation to accept someone else’s perspective without question is everywhere. While guidance can be helpful, blindly following without discernment can lead to misunderstandings, missteps, and even compromise in faith. Proverbs 14:15 warns, “The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.” A simple mind, though easily influenced, is vulnerable to error.
“The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily, testing every word by God’s truth. Faith that endures is never passive—it is active and discerning.”
—Acts 17:11, applied
Consider the Israelites in the wilderness. At times, they followed leaders and the crowd without questioning God’s promises, which led to complaints, rebellions, and missed opportunities (Numbers 14:1–4). Their example illustrates the risk of being told what to think rather than learning how to think under God’s guidance.
Learning How to Think
In contrast, learning how to think equips us to evaluate, discern, and act wisely. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 were commended because they “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” They did not passively accept Paul’s message; they actively tested it against the Bible. Their approach reminds us that “true faith is active, not passive”—it seeks evidence, tests assumptions, and rests on God’s truth rather than human opinion.
This principle applies today in both spiritual and everyday decisions.
When faced with moral dilemmas, media claims, or cultural pressures, a mind trained to think biblically can discern right from wrong, truth from deception. Asking questions, comparing ideas to Scripture, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit cultivates discernment and confidence in our faith.
Practical Ways to Develop Discernment
To cultivate the Berean mindset, consider these practical steps:
Daily Scripture Reading: Start with manageable portions but read consistently. Over time, patterns of God’s truth and wisdom emerge.
Ask Questions: When someone gives advice or shares an opinion, reflect: “Does this align with God’s Word?”
Seek Wise Counsel: Proverbs 11:14 reminds us, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” God often uses others to help clarify understanding.
Meditate and Pray: Thinking biblically requires spiritual insight. Prayer invites God to illuminate Scripture and guide reasoning.
These practices train our minds to evaluate everything through the lens of Scripture, fostering wisdom and spiritual maturity.
The Reward of a Disciplined Mind
When we train ourselves to think biblically, we gain more than knowledge—we develop faith that stands firm in trials, wisdom that guides daily choices, and joy that comes from knowing we are rooted in God’s truth. Unlike the simple who follow every voice, the discerning believer rests in God’s Word and can navigate life with confidence and integrity.
A Call to the Berean Mindset
The challenge is clear: do not settle for surface-level understanding or cultural popularity. Study, question, and compare all things to God’s Word. Like the Bereans, let us cultivate minds that think well, hearts that seek truth, and lives that reflect the wisdom of Scripture. As we do, our faith will not only endure—it will shine like a beacon, guiding others who are seeking truth amid the clamor of a noisy world.
R. Scott Holder writes for OUTLOOK on a variety of spiritual topics.
