Too few Christians understand the clear instructions given in Scripture regarding those who cause division by doctrines. In a world where the Church has been influenced by those who insist on imposing a legalistic doctrine with absolute certitude where none is to be found. These people are stumbling blocks to those who are serious about seeking after God. Scripture outlines for the Christian what our approach is to be toward these mis-leaders:
TEST THEM: Believe not every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they be of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (I John 4: 1)
MARK AND AVOID THEM: Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Rom. 16:17)
REBUKE THEM: Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. (Titus 1: 13)
HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THEM: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11)
WITHDRAW FROM THEM: We command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received of us. (II Thes. 3:6)
TURN AWAY FROM THEM: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5)
SEPARATE FROM THEM: Come out from among them, and be ye separate and touch no the unclean thing. (II Cor. 6:17)
This day I was forced to take heed of these warnings from scripture and dis-fellowship myself from him. May God forgive him for his error and may he come to repentance.
POSTSCRIPT:
Even if we disagree about approaches to error as we see it, I take my hat off to the man who generated the heart of this post. He was honorable and took it well. Bless him.
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