Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?— unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Corinthians 13:5
I read an old report from Cape Cod, Massachusetts stating that the telephone operator used to receive a call every morning asking for the correct time. Eventually, her curiosity got the best of her, so she asked the caller why he made the inquiry every morning. He replied, “I want to get the exact time because I’m the man who blows the whistle at noon.” To which she replied, “Well, that’s funny because every day at the stroke of noon I set our clock by your whistle.” With both parties confirming the time by the other, neither could be sure they had the proper time. To ensure that they had the time right within the United States, they would need to consult the National Institute of Standards and Technology who works in conjunction with the U.S. naval Observatory to provide the official time.
Much the way we must have the official standard to calibrate our clocks, scales, speedometers, volumeters, etc., so we must have the official standard to ensure our hearts are properly calibrated. Though our fellow humans can exemplify many good and godly qualities, we must never let the thoughts, opinions, and examples of our peers be our standard of measure. It is acceptable, indeed promoted, that we follow the good examples of our brethren (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17). However, we must maintain a critical eye on their principles and practices to make sure they do not lead us astray. As Jesus said, “…if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:14).
Some people willfully seek to lead the people of God astray because they are evil and wish to gain a following. Paul spoke of such evildoers in his final meeting with the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:28-30). Peter warned of the same type of malicious intent in railing against false teachers and prophets (2 Peter 2:1-3, 17-22). These warnings reflect the earlier teaching of Jesus in the sermon on the mount when He warned the disciples of false prophets who lurk about as wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15-20; cf. Acts 20:29). These vivid warnings make clear the danger of accepting the wrong standard of measure to calibrate our hearts.
Some who propagate false teachings do so out of ignorance, having accepted the falsehoods from the sheep-clad wolves. Though a person may not come with nefarious intentions, only the truth will set us free from sin, so anything less will leave us in our slavery thereto (John 8:31-32; 17:17). For this, we are repeatedly warned to examine every teaching we encounter and hold fast to the things which are truly from the Lord (cf. Matthew 7:21ff; Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 2 Peter 3:14-18; 1 John 4:1).
Like ensuring our clocks are set to the right time, we must consult the official standard of measure to ensure our hearts are properly calibrated. Thankfully, there is no mystery as to where to find that standard. Jesus made it plain in John 12:48 that the words He has spoken will be our standard of judgment. Lest anyone fall short of the full scope of that standard, we ponder John 16:12-15 briefly.
Jesus told the disciples He had more to tell them concerning the faith, but they were not yet prepared to receive it (16:12). Then He assured them that this was the primary work of the Holy Spirit whom He was sending from the Father (16:13-15). When the Spirit of truth came, He guided the apostles (cf. John 15:26-27- those who were with Him from the beginning) into all truth. When we read the words of the inspired apostles and prophets in the New Covenant, we can grasp the standard of measure by which we must calibrate our hearts to live faithfully before Him. He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness “…through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…” Have you calibrated your heart by the official standard?