Ah, the old "Chew the meat, spit out the bones" philosophy....

Lately, The Refiner's Fire has received emails from several people using the adage: "Chew the meat and spit out the bones" to justify their reading and forwarding the teachings of "off-the-mark" pastors, priests, ministers, and rabbis because "part of what they teach is good".  When we point out the error of the false teacher they are responding to us with this tired cliche.

Do you understand what this adage means?

Basically, it means "Accept the good parts of the teaching, and ignore the bad."  Or: "I like what he says here, but not here, so I will ignore that other part."  While this may, at first glance, sound like wise instruction it is actually complete nonsense!

There are only two kinds of readers: Those who already know the material; and those who don't know any of the material (or only some of it).  Let's assume the former already knows the material and can therefore discern the difference between the good content and the bad content of the teaching.  This reader therefore possesses the intellect to "dismiss" the bad part. So this reader who already knows, has learned nothing; yet in today's world of social media, immediately sends the article to others as a "great teaching."

That leaves the other person.  This person does not possess the ability to discern the "good parts" and dismiss the "bad parts" so they accept it ALL!  As far as they know, it is completely righteous!  And this is a serious problem because many times, this person has received the article from some well-meaning person they trust; yet they, themselves cannot "chew the meat and spit out the bones!"  They don't know which parts to "spit out"!

Here's the deal:  Though the cliche is intended to make analogy to "this teaching is not perfect but he/she says some really good stuff" about some teacher of the WORD, it is, in fact a very bad analogy!  Think about this.  The bones make up the skeleton, the foundation, and the "meat" (muscle) is attached  to the skeleton!  If you remove the "bones", the "meat" is a lifeless mass of quivering muscle laying dying on the ground.  Without this "foundation" the meat (muscle) can't even survive because the very blood which nourishes the muscle is produced by the bone!  If, regarding someone's teaching of the WORD, you "chew the meat and spit out the bones" aren't you throwing out the very foundation of their theology? Why on earth would you "dismiss the foundation" of someone's theology only to retain the "lesser parts" which, when separated from the foundation, can't stand on their own?

Well you shouldn't throw away the foundation!  Don't spit out the bones!

Here's what you should do:  Throw out the teacher!  Do not go to that teacher for instruction if they don't stay 100% on-the-mark with scripture!  1 Corinthians 6:14 says: "what fellowship has light with darkness?" (AENT).  Certainly do go to this teacher and attempt to correct them, for we are to "rebuke our brothers less we carry sin because of him" (Leviticus 19:17 Matthew 18:15;  Luke 17:3); and realize that if you DON'T try to correct them, YOU are guilty! (Study Ezekiel 3!)

If we stand by and let these false teachings go unchallenged, forwarding their teachings to others and expecting the recipient to "spit out the bones," we assist in these false doctrines and in how people become deceived!  Matthew 7 says:

13. Enter by the straight door, for wide is the door and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many are they, those that go in it.  14. How narrow the door and straight the road that leads to life, and few are they, those that find it.  15. Beware of false prophets that come among you in the clothing of lambs,  82  but from within are ravenous wolves.  16. But you will know them by their fruits.  Why do men pick grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?  17. Like this every good tree bears pleasing fruit, but an evil tree bears evil fruit.  18.  A  good  tree  is  not  able  to  bear  evil  fruit,  and  an  evil  tree  cannot  bear  good  fruit.  19. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut and thrown in the fire.  20. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. (AENT)

Do not read and follow teachers who provide "good stuff" yet their teachings contain parts you must "spit out"! And for goodness sakes, DON'T forward their teachings to your friends and relatives!  Your friends and relatives likely don't possess the ability to "spit out the bones"!  Don't participate in this deception!  Refer to 2 Timothy 4:

2. Proclaim the Word and persist (in it) with diligence, in time and out of time; admonish and rebuke with all patience and instructiveness.  3. For the time will come when they will not give ear to sound teaching; but, according to their lusts, will multiply to themselves teachers in the itching of their hearing;  4. and will turn away their ears from the truth, and incline after fables. (AENT)

And don't rely on your education from teachers "you like"!  1 John 2:

27. And you also, if the anointing which you have received from him remains in you, you need not that any one should teach you; but as that anointing is from Elohim, it teaches you all things; and it is true, and no falsehood is in it. And as it has taught you, remain you in Him.  28. And now, my children, remain you in him; that so, when he will be manifested, we may not be ashamed before Him, but may have an open countenance at His coming.  29. If you know that he is righteous, you also know that whoever does righteousness is from Him.

Stay in scripture!  Learn from the Ruach, from Elohim, not from man!  Yes, there are some "good" teachers (you will know them by their ability to make their teachings line up with Scripture), but be VERY discerning!  Only by personally staying in scripture will you ever come to this new adage: "Chew the meat and if it is not right, fire the cook!"