Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you–unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?
2 Corinthians 13:5 AMPC
The judgement of false teachers by the Lord is an undeniable truth. However, it is important to remember that those who fall into error and sin will also be held responsible for their failure. The ‘watchman’ would be held accountable, and the sinner would not be exempted from due punishment.
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood. – Ezekiel 33:6
Therefore, it is important for every believer to evaluate their lives in the light of God’s word; not using any man as a standard for maintaining right standing before God, but looking unto Jesus, the author, and the finisher of our faith.
Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular check-ups. You need first-hand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. (MSG)
If false prophets shall mislead people, why must it be you? Why must you waste your destiny on false doctrines? Why will you waste the inestimable price that Jesus paid for your redemption on the cross at Calvary? See to it that you do your regular faith check-ups. You need first-hand assurance of your right standing in the faith, not a costly assumption that all is well when nothing is well.
