The devil doesn't need much help, he has "Christians" to do his work for him.
You only have to go back to the beginning of the book to see the trouble dissension and accusation caused. Korah is a good example. God Judged Korah for his rebellion.
BUT BUT BUT it is argued, who is going to warn the innocents when deception comes. I don't think that is a problem. We have plenty of heresy hunters devouering the Body like Cannibals eating their own fingers. That's the imagery that the Lord gave me this morning.
Galatians 5:13-15 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Yes, there is a place for rebuke, for indignation, but it is far less frequent than you would believe. IF there is contention or division over an accusation, for example, if someone accuses a leader of not being "ON" and there are many who trust the word he or she is bringing then the first question should not be are they "Biblical, preaching the truth" (whatever they think it to be), the question should be, is the Kingdom of God expanding because of this?
Certainly there are people on TV, Radio and who preach in pulpits that I don't embrace. There are books that I find offensively strange in Bookstores. I can barely listen to our local christian radio station for the drivel I find there so often. YET.. I remember when that drivel helped me grow in Christ.
Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
IF some well meaning heresy hunter had told me "That's EVIL, that's not the Gospel" I might have drifted away discouraged. Scattered. God hates those who destroy the flock.
Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: "You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:2
I remember well Pastor Dan telling some of us the story about a young couple who came to First Assembly. They were involved in Drugs and all kinds of unspeakable corrupt lifestyles. When they got saved they became true followers of Jesus. Pastor Dan sometimes would bring controversial people in to minister. Some I found hard to take. YET... when I asked him about it, he said, we have to stretch and learn to hear for ourselves truth by discernment. That young couple was pummeled by their "Christian" friends and relatives for being part of the Church we attendees. At one point the comment was made to them, "I would rather you be back on drugs then be part of "That Church".
There is the heart of the heresy hunter. They cooperate with the devil who would rather see people in HELL than be disciples by someone they don't approve of. Jesus identified this evil.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are! Matthew 23:15
In that way they are instruments of satan.
IS there a place to warn people from false doctrine. Sure... by preaching and teaching real doctrine. I got home late last night. It was dark in the bedroom. I reached for the light switch. Flipped it on and guess what... the darkness fled. Happens every time it's tried. Shine the light of truth without attacking the darkness.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Unless the power is off. That's the rub. The Heresy Hunters deny the power of God to reveal himself. Jesus didn't rebuke false teaching, he rebuked false living. False holiness. False godliness. Hypocrisy. White Washed Tombs he called them.
Here's a prophetic truth I learned a long time ago, God cares much more about the sheep in his pasture than the shepherds who lead them. He will hold that shepherd to a much higher standard. He will take a shepherd out who is leading falsely. He will use the Syrians to cleanse Israel. He doesn't need a competing shepherd to devour the Body. We have a Syrian type news media that will be happy to turn on the Kleig lights and expose the false teachers. That's not our job.
There are Millstones being laid up for those who are causing the little ones to stumble. It would be good not to have your name on one.
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:6
1 comment:
By Scott
Testimony amd possible advice.
I remember corresponding with a well known minister on his blog. Not out of dissenion strife or envy . My brother had sent me a link as I read his posts which where his teaching articles I enjoyed some but I noticed one continuing theme although his scriptures where taken from the new testament and he had several hundred thousand hits on his blog. They didn't line up with the Words of Jesus, in fact he taught almost every warning by paul peter Jesus and the Holy Spirit away. As I sought the lord I said is this man saved I felt as if he was so I posted some doctrine and said brother the Holy Spirit will teach you all things there is a greater accountability to those who presume to teach. Pray in tongues for two weeks and He will teach you. He posted a pretty seething response which did make me a little irate as I sat there the Lord told me this is not a match about whose right. I felt led to get up and walk away. When I came back there where several posts from other Christians who saw truth in the scriptures I posted as I asked about one the Lord said she is young. I responded to her that the Christian life is compared to the birth of a child and growth into adulthood and said in a summary my advice is to learn to hear and seek and respond to God and Focus on what he would have you learn at that time. I deleted the link to that Website.as I realized that if it continued there may be a stumbling block for the younger sister and the awesome loss that could result from becoming a leader.That all though I love Jesus,the need for developing a healthy well balanced fear of the Lord and knowledge of His chastening. which I might add He graciously provided in the process of molding me. That being said I shy away from the term heresey hunter though I can understand the accuracy of it. I don't want to snag a brother the Lord has directed to address a problem.
This is for young Apostles and Prophets Paul said 1Cr 6 I think some of you may be led to address certain things don't do it in haste or out of your own understanding pray in the Spirit. The Lord may be sending you from church to church to a new church or you may be isolated at times. This is the potter molding you inside and making you as He would have you be dependent in Him alone. There are several valid tests you will face.1- from natural to supernatural God revealing himself and the enemy we battle against and those to whom he communicates Eph 6:12 Act 13:6-8
2-The test of head knowledge vrs heart knowledge you have all this doctorine in your head which has not yet been engraved upon your heart, for when it is written on your heart as you yield to the Spirit He will draw it out. (sermons tongues interpretation prophecy ect.) This is a working of growth character and obedience.
Remember Paul said heresies must be so. 3-rejection and forgiving this may be delivering a message to a laymen , new leaders remember this. How they respond is a test unto itself before the Lord Pride rebellion failure to discern the body. You will face these tests one day and the consequencws of failing them remember to whom much is given much is expected. "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare [himself] or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes]. "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
I mean no disrespect as I myself am included in this statement.1Cr 1:27
That being said for the Gifts of God to the Body we are never excused from testing chastening or growth and growth is always happening on earth for here we know in part just as the Body is in many Parts and every part has a place and purpose.
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