After I was illuminated in 1987, like most new Christians I watched only Christian television, listened only to Christian radio and went to church as much as was humanly possible...but the more I watched, listened and went, the more confused I got.
Everyone claimed to know the truth, but which one was right?
I was pondering that when God spoke these words to me; and it changed my life:
"Stop listening to the words of man, and start listening to the Word of God"
I turned off the the radio and television,stopped going to church, and spent nine months in prayer; studying and meditating on the Bible.
You don't have to be a Pastor, Priest or Biblical Scholar to understand the Bible...you do need the Holy Spirit; you must be "born-again" Spiritually; because the things of God are Spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Unfortunately, most "preachers" are not Spirit-filled; simply passing on the religious rhetoric they learned in seminary. What if they're wrong?
Can you think of a better way to deceive, than from the pulpit? Be careful whom you choose to follow; if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch (Matthew 15:14}
Read the Bible...study, to show yourself approved.