Bloggers in general — and discernment bloggers in particular — write to persuade their readers of certain ideas. That’s not wrong, mind you. Writers have used words for thousands of years to convince readers of all sorts of positions. It’s pretty much the entire point of writing and blogging, don’t you think?

As I’ve said probably way too many times, some bloggers who profess to have discernment use their blogs to hurt the reputations of anyone they don’t like. These bloggers want to sway readers to reject people and organizations that actually are within Christian orthodoxy, simply to make themselves appear knowledgeable.

Other discernment bloggers genuinely care about defending the faith and guiding readers toward a Biblical worldview. I pray that I can number myself among discernment bloggers and speakers like Michelle Lesley, Elizabeth Prata, Leslie A, Justin Peters and Todd Friel (just to name a few of the ones I trust and respect). Reputable discernment ministries will always encourage people to open their Bibles and investigate things for themselves.

In that spirit, I write today’s post as a reminder that you should evaluate everything I write in The Outspoken TULIP by holding my writing up against the Word of God. If my mistakes are few and far between, forgive me with compassion, knowing that I’m fallible. Not even John MacArthur gets everything right all the time, after all.

But weigh enough of my posts against Scripture to determine whether or not I handle God’s Word properly on a fairly consistent basis. Do I usually quote Scripture in its textual context? Do I quote it according to the historical context in which it was written? Do I take its genre into account?

Most importantly, do I apply God’s Word accurately in my articles, or do I twist it to suit my agenda?

Your responsibility as my readers is to judge my writing. To judge me. Just because I quote the Bible doesn’t automatically mean I should be uncritically trusted. Satan quoted Scripture when he tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). Just three days ago, John and I talked to someone who defended Joel Osteen because “he quotes from the Bible.”

I pray daily that the Lord will help me blog in ways that honor Him. I desire to use His Word accurately and with reverence. But I want my readers to take responsibility by checking what I write to make sure it lines up with Scripture. As Luke commended the Bereans for measuring Paul’s preaching with Scripture (Acts 17:11), so I urge you to examine the Scriptures to see if I teach the truth.

Yes, I blog for the purpose of persuading women to ground themselves in Biblical doctrine. I want women to sharpen their discernment skills so that they won’t fall prey to false teachers and deceptive practices. How better to teach discernment than to challenge readers to check out my teaching to make sure I handle God’s Word accurately?

Start testing me, ladies!

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