Dividing

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. (Proverbs 18:17 KJV)

I don’t know what theologians make of this verse, but it reminds me of a trial. The prosecution / plaintiff makes a case that seems just, then the defense comes and questions the presentation. Each having their own credible witnesses, each refuting the other.

Sometimes, as our deeply held beliefs are discussed, we become defensive. We lose sight of the fact that our beliefs are not held by even a majority of people, much less ‘everyone.’ This is even more likely in a Christian denomination that holds each believer as part of the overall priesthood, responsible for rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15b KJV)

That is a great responsibility. It didn’t work well for Israel during the time of the Judges. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 KJV)

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD … (Judges 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1, 10:6, 13:1 KJV)

It doesn’t work in some other instances, too:

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12 KJV)

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25 KJV)

How can we know if what seems “right” is not “the ways of death”? Both Luke and Paul were inspired to answer that, too: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Simple, isn’t it? Receive the word God provides, search the scriptures daily, studying to know the word of truth.

The one thing you must decide on your own is whether you want to know the truth, or not. If you don’t want to know, do not read, do not study, simply ignore what has been provided.