By Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
When the men or elders of a church openly invite false teachers into the assembly of the Lords people to preach or teach the congregation must stand up and say we will have no part in such activity. The warning was given by not just the apostles but the Lord Himself. Mat_7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Paul gave much the same warning in Act 20:28-30 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Men today are heaping to themselves all kinds of teachers having itching ears to hear the things that please them and not the truth that convicts and saves ones soul. The watered down scripture of preaching the man and not the plan flows forth like honey from the mouths of many today.
I have to ask, what hope are you going to have if you allow this in your midst? By accepting what others decide for you, you yourself are condoning the very false teaching that both the Lord and Paul warned against. Does your soul mean that little to you?
Has your definition of love become so politically correct that it can not be recognized any longer? True love does not over look sin and false teaching it stands against it. You truly love your fellow man when you try to yank them back from the sinful ways of this world. True love will stand and fight the evil that false teachers seek to entrap you and others in. Paul gave good instruction to those at Ephesus and we should remember this is a battle we must fight. Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We are told to mark those who cause division and have nothing to do with them, not embrace them and accept their heretical teaching. Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Rom 16:18 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. You my friend the one sitting in the pew must take a stand for God and His word. You must keep the faith once delivered for all. Stand up I say, stand for what is right and good in the sight of God. Gal_1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal_1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
These are strong words and I implore each of you to heed them. James tells us in no uncertain terms if we lack wisdom ask not wavering and he warns against double mindedness. Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. In chapter 4 James tells us what needs to be done Jas_4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
When we fail to stand on Gods word for fear that someone else might think badly of us we are putting man before God! I for one refuse to do that. James also tells us in the first chapter that we must be doers and not to sit idly by and just hear. Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Each of us must be active in the fight against the evil that has beset us and our assemblies. Why would God bless us if we do not stand firmly upon His word? I have seen whole congregations fall into apostasy by those listening to the smooth words of heresy. All is peace and love is the cry and they fall from grace all because they would not or do not want to offend a sinner or be shown their own sin themselves.
False teachers and preachers are a danger and we must know what to look for and how to deal with it. Do you know? Will you take a stand? Will you put God and His word first?
Stand up! Stand up I say!
