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I GO BY SCRIPTURE. PERIOD.“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” — Psalm 119:160We live in a day when “I think,” “I feel,” and “in my opinion” are often treated as though they settle the matter.But when God has spoken, my opinion does not get a vote.It does not matter what I think if Scripture says otherwise.It does not matter what I feel if my feelings contradict God’s Word.It does not matter what is popular, culturally acceptable, or commonly taught if the Bible says something different.The question is not, “How do I feel about this?”The question is, “What saith the scripture?” — Romans 4:3The Bereans were called “more noble” because they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” — Acts 17:11. They did not accept something merely because a preacher said it. They compared what they heard with the Word of God.That ought to be our standard.“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16Notice those words: reproof and correction.That means sometimes the Bible is going to tell me I am wrong. When it does, my responsibility is not to correct the Bible to agree with me. The Bible corrects me.Sometimes Scripture will confront something I have believed for years. Sometimes it will expose a tradition I was taught. Sometimes it will condemn something the world celebrates. Sometimes it will challenge something I desperately want to be true.The issue is simple:Will I submit to Scripture, or will I try to make Scripture submit to me?Paul told Timothy:“Study to shew thyself approved unto God… rightly dividing the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15We must study carefully. We must read verses in context. We must compare Scripture with Scripture. And when we discover that our belief does not agree with the Bible, we change our belief—not the Bible.Truth is not determined by a vote.Truth does not become error because it is unpopular.Error does not become truth because everybody accepts it.Jesus prayed:“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17Not my feelings are truth.Not my experience is truth.Not my denomination is truth.Not my favorite preacher is truth.THY WORD IS TRUTH.So search the Scriptures. Test what you hear—including what I preach and teach—by the Word of God.And when Scripture proves us wrong, have enough humility to say:“God is right. I am wrong. I will change.”That is why my standard remains: