The California gold rushers needed to learn the difference between real gold and iron pyrite (fools gold). Their future and their fortune depended upon knowing the difference. Spiritually speaking, Christians often find themselves in a similar position to the California gold rushers. When confronted with various doctrines and religious teachings, all of which claim to be true, believers must be able to tell those that are biblically sound from those that are not. Romans 16:17-18 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”