Even Solid Preachers Need Careful Listeners
Examining What You Hear by the Scriptures
False teaching isn’t just a problem in prosperity gospel megachurches, cult compounds, or liberal seminaries. It can creep in anywhere—even in the best pulpits.
You might have a faithful pastor who loves the Word, preaches expository sermons, and upholds biblical doctrine. But even solid preachers aren’t infallible. That’s why every Christian has a responsibility to examine what they hear by the Scriptures—not just in questionable churches, but even in good ones.
This article is part of a series on WLC 160, exploring how Christians can rightly receive the preached Word. We’ve already considered the importance of praying for your pastor’s preaching—but hearing the Word rightly doesn’t stop there. This time, we focus on the duty to examine what we hear by the Scriptures.
Westminster Larger Catechism Question 160: What is required of those that hear the Word preached? It is required of those that hear the Word preached, that they… examine what they hear by the Scriptures…
One of the greatest dangers in the church today isn’t just outright heresy. It’s the slow erosion of truth that happens when Christians stop listening critically and start assuming everything they hear is biblical simply because it comes from a trusted voice.
The Bereans Got It Right
The Bereans in Acts 17:11 provide the clearest biblical model for this: “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Notice two things:
They eagerly received Paul’s teaching. They weren’t skeptics looking for a fight. They wanted the truth.
They tested his words against Scripture. And this was Paul—the greatest missionary in church history! If the Bereans didn’t give Paul a free pass, why should we do that with any preacher today?
But here’s what often gets overlooked: The Bereans could only examine Paul’s teaching because they already knew and loved their Bibles. They weren’t scrambling to find a proof text—they were familiar with the Old Testament and they could test Paul’s claims against it.
And that raises a convicting question: Do you love and know your Bible to be able to test what you hear?
Do you know your Bible well enough to recognize when something is slightly off?
Do you hunger for the Word like the Bereans did?
Do you have Scripture stored in your heart so that discernment comes naturally?
If you don’t love your Bible, you won’t examine teaching carefully. You won’t even know how.
The Danger of Failing to Examine Teaching
Most people assume that theological deception only happens in bad churches. But deception is never just an “out there” problem—it’s a danger in every congregation where people stop testing what they hear.
It can show up in subtle ways:
Small doctrinal compromises that slowly drift from biblical truth.
Overemphasizing one doctrine while neglecting others.
Unquestioned theological trends that shape how sermons are preached.
Tradition being accepted as truth without biblical examination.
Consider church history:
The Pharisees started with good intentions—preserving God’s law—but their man-made traditions eventually replaced it (Mark 7:6-9).
The medieval church drifted into works-based salvation because people trusted religious leaders more than the Word of God.
The Reformation happened because men like Luther, Calvin, and Knox insisted that all teaching—no matter how respected—must be tested by Scripture.
If history teaches us anything, it’s this: Error thrives where people assume they are safe from it.
How to Be a Careful Listener Without Being Critical
There’s a right way and a wrong way to examine sermons. This isn’t about being cynical, suspicious, or nitpicky. It’s about being faithful.
Here’s how you can be a Berean in your own church:
Bring your Bible to every sermon. Follow along. Make sure what’s being preached is actually what the text says.
Ask: “Is this teaching consistent with Scripture?” Not just “Did it sound good?” or “Did it move me emotionally?” but “Is this biblical?”
Compare what you hear to the historic faith. The Westminster Standards, the early church creeds, and the Reformed confessions serve as guardrails to keep us from drifting into new or novel teachings.
Don’t let personality replace biblical authority. A preacher’s charisma, credentials, or popularity are not proof of sound doctrine. The standard is always the Word.
Discuss sermons with others. This sharpens discernment and helps clarify biblical truth (Malachi 3:16).
What About Your Own Pastor?
Some might say, “But I trust my pastor. He preaches the truth!” Praise God if you have a faithful shepherd! But even faithful pastors:
Can make mistakes.
Can unintentionally misinterpret a passage.
Are still growing in understanding.
A good pastor won’t resent a congregation that loves the Word enough to examine his teaching. In fact, the best preachers encourage their people to do just that!
The Most Dangerous Lies Are the Ones We Never Question
Satan doesn’t always attack with obvious heresy. More often, he twists the truth just enough to make error seem acceptable. The most dangerous lies are not the ones that sound outrageous—but the ones that sound almost right.
That’s why even solid preachers need careful listeners.
If Paul wasn’t above examination…
If the Galatians were warned against blindly trusting teaching…
If Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for following tradition over Scripture…
Then how can we afford not to examine what we hear?
How to Cultivate a Love for Scripture
Examining what you hear isn’t just about catching false teaching—it’s about knowing and delighting in God’s truth. The more you immerse yourself in Scripture, the more natural it will be to recognize error and cling to what is good.
Here’s how you can grow in your love for the Word:
Read your Bible daily—even when you don’t feel like it. Love grows through habit.
Pray for a greater hunger for Scripture. Ask God to make His Word sweet to your soul (Psalm 119:103).
Memorize passages that shape your thinking. Store up truth so you can test everything against it (Psalm 119:11).
Read the Bible devotionally and theologically. Don’t just skim it for comfort—study it deeply.
Talk about Scripture with others. Conferring about the Word strengthens your understanding (Malachi 3:16).
If the Bible is just another book to you, then you will drift with every theological trend. But if you love the Word, you will stand firm.
Will You Be a Berean?
Faithful Christians aren’t suspicious of preaching—but they are serious about testing it. Be a Berean. Love your pastor. And never stop measuring everything by God’s perfect, unchanging Word.