Sunday 3 November 2013

Seven Tests of Authenticity

    'The nature of deception is such that we don't know we are deceived until after the event. We use the past tense, 'I was deceived', rather than the present tense 'I am deceived'. Rather like sleep, we only know how long we have slept when we have woken up, a retrospective insight'.

                                            Ray Mayhew.

   The warnings about deception are numerous in the New Testament, especially of false teachers and prophets that at the end of the age 'will deceive even the elect if that were possible'. Ultimately, we recognise a teacher or prophet by their fruit, and not simply their doctrine. In Jude v 11 we read the following warning:

'Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah'.

   All three examples had chosen a pattern and way of life that led to their destruction. When we walk in a 'way' of life, be it a love of money, sex, or power, that is contrary to the life and way of the incarnate Christ, then the letter that people read of our lives will be smudged and polluted beyond comprehension. It won't be the incarnate humility and grace of Jesus that the world will see and read, but rather the pride and selfishness of a world system that is the very antithesis of all that Calvary models to us.

    One of my favourite authors is A.W. Tozer. He died in 1963, but his insights are still relevant today. On this subject of recognising deception, he offers seven tests to evaluate authenticity of either a spiritual experience or teaching. These are as follows:

1. How do I view God in the light of any new teaching or experience?

2. Does this new teaching or experience in any way lessen who Jesus is?

3. Do I have a greater regard and love for the scriptures?

4. Does what I experience or am taught have any precedent in church history?

5. Do I grow in humility, or do I grow in pride and self promotion as a result of what I am taught or have experienced?

6. Does my experience or teaching divide the church?

7. How does this teaching and experience affect my attitude towards sin? Does it cause me to legitimize what the Bible declares illegitimate?

    He comments that it is quite often the zealous believer that can be more prone to deception. Sincerely wanting more of God, they can be seduced more readily than the half hearted person who has long since settled for spiritual mediocrity. All the more reason why those of us who have the privilege of teaching regularly in one context or another remain fully committed to 'watching our life and doctrine closely'.