Ephesians 6:14a--Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth...
Last week we discussed the need to be on guard for false teaching, understanding that deception can happen quickly for those that are unknowledgeable. This week, I would like to address what one is to do when they are a part of a church that teaches false doctrine.
Know the truth. John 8:32 says, "You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Before addressing anything you believe is false, be sure you know the truth first. It is essential that we continually be checking every thought and attitude against Scripture to protect us from error. When preparing to address another believer about a controversial matter, you must be equipped/girded with the truth.
Reason with them. Acts 19:8-9 says, "And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and
persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some
were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the
multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in
the school of Tyrannus." Here we see Paul taking Scripture and reasoning with those in opposition to the Way, attempting to persuade them. After three months(implies fervency and patience), Paul noticed that where he desired to see tenderness to the Truth, he found resistance, pushing him to take the final step...departing.
Depart. Acts 17:33 says, "So Paul departed from among them." This was his practice. He would go into places, preach the truth and let the chips fall where they may. With those who had ears to hear, they followed him. For those that did not, they got left in the dark. While, this is never the aim, nor a pleasing conclusion, it is one that must be taken. If, you have prepped yourself with God's Word and reasoned with love and Truth and no change has occurred, it is best that you leave, searching out others that may be willing to listen. Who knows, there may be more that follow your lead.
To close, I truly believe there are those who diligently desire to know the Truth and desire to seek it out. I also believe there are those that practice something externally(tradition) but have not really understood the internal significance and any attempt to shake that practice is often viewed as an attack. Our duty is to stand for Truth and always to express it in love. May you never come across false teaching, but if you do, may you be equipped with the truth. Let all things be done by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. Phil. 4:6
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Scripture and false teaching
II Peter 3:16-17--as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
It may seem strange, but Scripture can, has and will continue to be used by men to teach a different doctrine. Often it is difficult to detect and harder yet to distance oneself from it(often, for fear that the leader will shun you to hell). Such false teaching thrives because Scripture can be taken out of context, sparsely used or twisted to fit one's thinking and no one checks it against God's Word. The foundation for success in such circles is a congregation that does not read and study God's Word. The problem...I fear most congregations fall into this category; leaving themselves susceptible to being deceived.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." We must learn to stop leaning and trusting in men, who are fallen; and return to dependence upon God, who is holy. No matter how educated or eloquent a man may be, they must always be checked against the Scriptures. We are surrounded today by those who teach a doctrine contrary to Scripture, who, "do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple." Romans 16:18
II Timothy 2:15 says, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." To protect yourself from false teaching, you must study the Word; you must read it. You must see if what you are taught is true. You must be accountable for your soul and the souls of your family. Don't expect others to notice error. I once heard a man say that surely if there were errors in their church, others in the church would see it. Do not rest on the fact that others are searching the Scriptures for truth. If you aren't, they may not be either.
To close, if you notice teaching that you do not believe aligns with God's Word, ask questions. If the answer enlightens you, great; if not, search it out more and seek guidance from others. Next week I will describe what a believer should do if they believe their church is teaching false doctrine.
It may seem strange, but Scripture can, has and will continue to be used by men to teach a different doctrine. Often it is difficult to detect and harder yet to distance oneself from it(often, for fear that the leader will shun you to hell). Such false teaching thrives because Scripture can be taken out of context, sparsely used or twisted to fit one's thinking and no one checks it against God's Word. The foundation for success in such circles is a congregation that does not read and study God's Word. The problem...I fear most congregations fall into this category; leaving themselves susceptible to being deceived.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." We must learn to stop leaning and trusting in men, who are fallen; and return to dependence upon God, who is holy. No matter how educated or eloquent a man may be, they must always be checked against the Scriptures. We are surrounded today by those who teach a doctrine contrary to Scripture, who, "do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple." Romans 16:18
II Timothy 2:15 says, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." To protect yourself from false teaching, you must study the Word; you must read it. You must see if what you are taught is true. You must be accountable for your soul and the souls of your family. Don't expect others to notice error. I once heard a man say that surely if there were errors in their church, others in the church would see it. Do not rest on the fact that others are searching the Scriptures for truth. If you aren't, they may not be either.
To close, if you notice teaching that you do not believe aligns with God's Word, ask questions. If the answer enlightens you, great; if not, search it out more and seek guidance from others. Next week I will describe what a believer should do if they believe their church is teaching false doctrine.
Monday, September 3, 2012
You can be deceived...and may be already
Mark 12:24--Jesus answered and said to them, "Are you not therefore
mistaken (literally deceived), because you do not know the Scriptures nor the
power of God?"
What a predicament we have before us in today's Christian circles. Scores of individuals call themselves believers, most attending church every week, but are unable to explain to anyone the hope that they have within them with Scripture. Yes, many may be able to recount the time they rose their hand in church, or the time they repeated a prayer after a minister, but when it comes to rightly dividing the word of truth, they are helpless. This is not only sad, but dangerous. I will express two reasons we find Christians that are inept in their understanding and ability to explain Scripture.
II Timothy 4:2 says, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." The first reason most believers lack Scriptural understanding is their teachers. Instead of using God's Word as the foundation for ever teaching, it has been replaced with stories, neat anecdotes, and jokes. While the congregation leaves feeling entertained, they are unknowingly empty and ill-equipped. Churches have turned into the very thing that Paul warned of in II Timothy 4. The congregants won't endure sound doctrine, preferring rather to hear messages that make them feel good and amuse them. Such shepherding only leads to stupid sheep, walking about aimlessly, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.(Eph. 4:14) We have famine in most churches. Amos 8:11 says, "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD." Ministers, shepherds, elders, bishops preach the Word. Saturate every breath from the pulpit with Scripture. God desires it and your sheep need it.
II Timothy 2:15(KJV) says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The second cause of Scriptural ineptness falls squarely upon the believer's shoulders. Those who once sought, seek no longer. Those who signed up for the class choose not to do the assignments, thus disqualifying themselves. The more I meet "believers" the more I am amazed at how little they actually know about what they say they believe. And it’s not because they are new in the race, they've been on the sidelines for many years, but have no desire to get in the game. There is no hunger for the Word, there is no drive to seek out truth. Proverbs 8:17 says, "I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me." Be not content with where you are. Study the Word. Seek the Lord while He may be found.
To close, I want to express the extreme importance of studying and knowing Scripture. Those that are uneducated in God's Word and choose not the change that are susceptible and probably have already succumbed to deception. Allow God's Word to begin to shine light in the areas of darkness. May truth reside in your heart. You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free. John 8:32
What a predicament we have before us in today's Christian circles. Scores of individuals call themselves believers, most attending church every week, but are unable to explain to anyone the hope that they have within them with Scripture. Yes, many may be able to recount the time they rose their hand in church, or the time they repeated a prayer after a minister, but when it comes to rightly dividing the word of truth, they are helpless. This is not only sad, but dangerous. I will express two reasons we find Christians that are inept in their understanding and ability to explain Scripture.
II Timothy 4:2 says, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." The first reason most believers lack Scriptural understanding is their teachers. Instead of using God's Word as the foundation for ever teaching, it has been replaced with stories, neat anecdotes, and jokes. While the congregation leaves feeling entertained, they are unknowingly empty and ill-equipped. Churches have turned into the very thing that Paul warned of in II Timothy 4. The congregants won't endure sound doctrine, preferring rather to hear messages that make them feel good and amuse them. Such shepherding only leads to stupid sheep, walking about aimlessly, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.(Eph. 4:14) We have famine in most churches. Amos 8:11 says, "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD." Ministers, shepherds, elders, bishops preach the Word. Saturate every breath from the pulpit with Scripture. God desires it and your sheep need it.
II Timothy 2:15(KJV) says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The second cause of Scriptural ineptness falls squarely upon the believer's shoulders. Those who once sought, seek no longer. Those who signed up for the class choose not to do the assignments, thus disqualifying themselves. The more I meet "believers" the more I am amazed at how little they actually know about what they say they believe. And it’s not because they are new in the race, they've been on the sidelines for many years, but have no desire to get in the game. There is no hunger for the Word, there is no drive to seek out truth. Proverbs 8:17 says, "I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me." Be not content with where you are. Study the Word. Seek the Lord while He may be found.
To close, I want to express the extreme importance of studying and knowing Scripture. Those that are uneducated in God's Word and choose not the change that are susceptible and probably have already succumbed to deception. Allow God's Word to begin to shine light in the areas of darkness. May truth reside in your heart. You shall know the truth and the truth will make you free. John 8:32
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