Romans 16:17-20
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Since we live in a fallen world and an age where fantasy, evil, sin, and myths seem to be the norm. I want use to take a look at scripture and really pinpoint the actual false teachers and false philosophies. What I discovered is the bible has a lot to say about these two subjects. The first passage I took a look at was 1st Timothy 1:4 "4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith." When I read that I thought of one religion, the Mormons. All devote Mormon's believe that when you die you'll populate a planet. That is a myth or fantasy brought on by false teaching and a false doctrine from the book of Mormons. We also find in the religion that they have one of the larges genealogies recorded that promotes speculation and the doctrine of being baptized for the dead. What a warning we find in this book of Timothy. But Paul also wrote in verse 6 of chapter one that we should avoid "vain Discussion" which means conversations that have no substance to them. Then we get over to chapter 4: 7 and Paul wrote these words "7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly." Even 2nd Timothy 2:14-18 continues this line of thought "14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for [a]it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their [b]talk will spread like [c]gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus," Then drop on down to verses 23-26 "23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce [a]quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive [b]by him to do his will." So Paul dealt with the same things we find today in our society, we just have better technology and faster communication that gives the appearance of being overwhelmed.
False teaching and teachers need to be dealt with in our churches. Paul in this passage was writing from his knowledge and experience He realized that false teachers could devastate and divide a church. Paul in his letter to the Romans was to be on the look out for such teachers. To call them out when and where they brought they're false doctrine. It's not a time to walk away it's a time to call them out and put them to shame for leading people astray. If your a Christian who has shown himself to be approved through the word it is your duty to call them out. If your a Christian who is still weak it is your duty to back up your brother in truth.
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