Thanks for this question.  I do believe there is a serious problem among Christians today in that many simply receive the message given without verifying it.  In fact, this was a problem even in the Apostle Paul’s days.  He wrote in Acts 17:10-11, “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND, and SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY, whether those things were so.”  Paul commended those of Berea because they “received the word with all readiness of mind.”  They had a great desire to learn of the Lord and so they listened intently to the Paul’s words as he expounded God’s Word to them.  However, in addition to listening to Paul speak, they also “searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.”  Paul greatly commended them for their actions.  They loved to hear from Paul, but they did not “take him at his word” considering his teachings.  They searched God’s Word to make sure that what Paul taught was compatible with the Holy Scriptures. 

In the absence of searching out the scriptures, many will simply follow the teachings of their local preachers.  There is such great danger here!  If we are not students of the Word ourselves, we can’t be certain that the truth is being taught.  We read in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”  We cannot afford to believe everything we hear.  Indeed, there are false teachers among us.  There are preachers who have little understanding of God’s Word.  There are those who simply want to gain followers and will say what the people want to hear.  May the Lord give each one of us the discernment to know when the truth is being taught and when a lie is being taught.  We can tell the difference only when we become familiar with the Word of God by being constant students.

I am very thankful for godly men who are able to minister the Word truthfully.  Still, we should want to know what the Bible says and should search the scriptures to make sure we are being taught that which agrees with the scriptures. 

Do I think that too many people are following preachers instead of Christ and His Word?  I certainly do!  I sometimes happen to see a preacher on TV or hear one on the radio and can tell they are not teaching according to God’s Word.  They may teach that the Lord wants us all to be rich.  They may teach that if we are sick, it is because of a direct sin in our lives.  They may teach that Jesus was a good man, but He was not God.  Such terrible and blasphemous teachings!  Yet, I often notice they have huge followings!  I do believe if these congregants would spend more time in God’s Word, they would leave these false teachers behind. 

Years ago, I heard a TV preacher make a statement and then said, “Just take my word for it.”  That upset me greatly.  Your word is no better than my word.  My word is no better than your word.  Only the Word of God is perfect and authoritative.  I don’t know how many follow preachers instead of Christ.  I can imagine it is a lot.  Let me encourage each one who reads these words…Be noble!  Search the scriptures daily, to see whether the words of the preacher are true and in agreement with the Word of God.  (CC)  (588.2)