Answering 439 Bible Contradictions
Answer: We should believe the good intentions of others as much as possible.
Problem: First Corinthians 13:7 says “believe all things” but Proverbs 14:15 laments that dimwits believe everything and Paul commands the church in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to “test everything”.
Explanation: The world thinks Christians are imbeciles that believe everything they’re told. In their mind, only a fool would agree that God created the world in six days, that Jesus walked on water, and that trumpets made the walls of Jericho come tumbling down. After all, the Bible says: “Believe all things” (1Co. 13:7). Thus, Karl Marx called religion the opium of the masses. The church is a trick to lure a world of stupid sheep.
In fact, Christianity champions discernment and insists upon differentiating between truth and error. This is why it denies foolish theories like evolution. There are more passages in Scripture that warn the gullible than the suspicious. John cautioned simpletons against believing everything they’re told, saying: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1Jn. 4:1).
When the prosperity preacher declares that God never wants you to be ill, don’t believe him straight away. Open your Bible to 2 Corinthians 12:7 and you’ll discover his words aren’t true. When a politician insists the nations should revoke the death penalty, don’t believe him immediately. Read Genesis 9:6 and you’ll find that view doesn’t agree with God’s Word. When the latest university fad insists a guy can become a gal, don’t believe it.
Christians should not be ripe for picking. Naivety is not a Christian virtue. Scripture commends the Bereans for fact-checking everything Paul preached (Ac. 17:11). The Bible commends the wise men for disbelieving Herod’s deceptive claim that he wanted to worship baby Jesus (Mt. 2:1-12). When the king of Egypt promised he would release the people of Israel, Moses responded with distrust, telling Pharaoh he knew it was all a lie (Ex. 9:27-30). Only the naïve fall for smooth talk (Rm. 16:18).
On the other hand, Scripture does not want to create cynical Christians. First Corinthians 13, the love chapter, tells believers to “believe all things” because it wants them to trust others, believe the best about people, and never lose faith. In other words, never lose hope and give your fellow man the benefit of the doubt.
If there is doubt, as there often is, then there is no benefit to be given. Calvin said a Christian should not strip himself of wisdom and discernment, as though he has “forgotten how to distinguish black and white.” If the babysitter fell asleep each weeknight while the infants played near the pool, the loving thing to do is disbelieve her when she promises she’ll never do it again.
In conclusion, Christian should be both discerning and trustful, not easily fooled and yet not accusing others based on ill-founded suspicion.