The “Sealed” Scam Exposed
Beware of the false definition of sealed by dispensationalist heretics.
What does the biblical term “sealed” mean? What doesn’t it mean?
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will …” Ephesians 1:3-5
The saints of the Most High God are “blessed … with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” We also read here that “He hath chosen,” not forced, us “that we should be holy and without blame before him.” Those who are “chosen” and choose to live unto the LORD are made “holy” by Him. If one is not being made holy, it is clear that he has no part with Christ (John 13:8; 2 Timothy 2:19; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; Revelation 21:8, 27).
Here’s just one more example of how we know that no honest, sane person believes OSAS… Just another example of deceit and dishonesty to deny personal responsibility in obeying Jesus (Matthew 7:21). It’s ALL about THEM. Totally self-serving and could care less about knowing and obeying the Savior they claim as LORD and yet deny Him the honor of truly knowing, serving, worshipping, and obeying Him. Paul says they are “abominable” (Titus 1:16).
It’s interesting how these wolves tout the grace of God as if it’s a license to sin and automatically covers all their sin without their involvement. Yet they have NO faith in the grace of God to grant them power over sin through the crucified life (Romans 6:3-14). Are we beginning to see why they push this perverted definition of grace? If they believe so strong in grace, WHY won’t they choose to believe God’s enabling grace will bring them to victory over sin via the crucified life?
Paul makes it clear that saving grace does not abide in anyone living in sin:
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2
Every person walking in God’s saving grace, outside of which no one can be saved, is:
- Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
- living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Titus 2:11-12
IF A SEAL IS PERMANENT JESUS COULD NOT HAVE RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD BECAUSE THE SAME EXACT GREEK WORD IS USED IN MATTHEW 27:66 CONCERNING HIS SEALED TOMB AS IS IN EPHESIANS 1:13 AND 4:30.
To a man who said that those who are born again are sealed and they cannot possibly lose it, the following response was given:
Not true. SEALED cannot possibly mean that the seal is unbreakable. You’ve followed false teachings. JESUS’ tomb was unsealed (Matthew 27:66) and He was raised from the dead. It’s the same Greek word as “sealed” Ephesians 1:13; 4:30. Case closed. Jesus’ tomb was sealed then unsealed and He was raised from the dead. Anyone who doesn’t believe Jesus rose again is not saved (1 Corinthians 15:17). OSAS/eternal security is a lie from hell.
“Sealed” is not un-sealable. It cannot possibly mean that once one is “sealed” that the seal cannot be broken as is often taught by today’s “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4) “Sealed” in Ephesians is the same Greek word used in Matthew 27:66.
“So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, SEALING the stone, and setting a watch. … he is risen from the dead …” Matthew 27:66; 28:7
“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:17
Define “sealed” from Ephesians … same Greek word as Matthew 27:66 where Jesus’ tomb was sealed and yet it was UN-sealed when He raised from the dead. So, “sealed” is not an unbreakable seal. To seal simply means to stamp. One writer notes:
“Seal was not a lock that could not be opened; it was a mark of ownership, such as would be placed on a document.”
We see yet again in Revelation that a “seal” in God’s Word is never defined as something that is automatically permanent.
“And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” Revelation 20:3
In the verse above, we see that Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit and a “seal” will be set upon him for a thousand years and then that pit will be unsealed to release the Devil.
The OSAS false teachers are always seeking to find yet another way to prove their father Satan’s first lie. They are constantly grasping for straws.
The attempt of eternal securists to make the definition of “sealed” confirm their lie, is pitifully weak and actually completely fraudulent. Heresy. Foolishness. Sealing in the Bible does not mean permanence. Typical scam theology attempting to fortify a lie.
Some will say “But how can one become un-sealed after being saved and sealed?”
Simple: The question is not whether you can become un-sealed – that’s a moral coward approach. The question is WHO ever said the Bible definition of “sealed” meant that seal can’t possibly be broken? The same exact Greek word for sealed is used concerning Christ’s tomb which we all know was UN-sealed (Matthew 27:66). So “sealed” in Ephesians can’t possibly mean that the seal is unbreakable.
IF in fact you are truly and presently “sealed” by God, it’s proven in that you “depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19).
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
Notice those who try to use the two “sealed” Scriptures in Ephesians don’t even want to know about this Bible verse below which gives definition to those who are truly “sealed” – as in they “depart from iniquity” instead of making excuse for it, instead of hiding behind sin-justifying false doctrine.
Joseph Gorscak writes:
“Put it together people: ‘Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'” (2 Timothy 2:19)
The fact that the “ungodly men” who’ve taught you Hell’s doctrine of OSAS purposely refused to tell you this biblical truth, reveals they are false prophets whose “damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 3-4).
God’s choosing of us who have trusted in Christ does not automatically determine that the individual believer will answer His call to continue to trust Him. According to Revelation 17:14, Christ will soon return with those who are “called, and chosen, and faithful.” God unfailingly does His part and the individual must do his part in which he will always be granted the enabling grace of God to perform (Philippians 2:12-13). The human will must never be factored out of the picture or there will be misunderstanding. Jesus told us that “many” are “called” yet few “chosen” due to the fact that only a few choose to be “faithful” to the LORD (Matthew 7:13-14; 20:16). “Without faith it is impossible to please him” and those who “draw back unto perdition (destruction),” not choosing to “believe to the saving of the soul,” will lose out eternally (Hebrews 10:26-39; 11:6).
“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:11-14
One will find that the “sealed” teaching is prevalent among those who seek to justify the perversion of the grace of God using His very words. Their teaching on being “sealed” is quite the occasion to privately interpret, twist and misuse the Scriptures. Those who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” find much opportunity to exaggerate what the Bible states and does not state about being “sealed with that Holy Spirit.” Upon a closer, more thorough and sober look at the word “sealed” and in the context it is written, and of the whole of the Word of God, a quite different perspective should emerge.
Note here in Ephesians 1 that the Holy Spirit is speaking of those who have “obtained an inheritance, being pedestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” or word. His Word is His will and the fullness of His recorded Counsel reveals that the Almighty before destined (predestined) that all be saved and live according to His truth and holiness. Yet, He never forces any person to believe or obey Him. Is it not the “purpose” of God and the way that has been predestined and not the person? The LORD told us clearly that He wills all to be saved and come to repentance and that none (not one) should perish in Hell (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). In light of this fact of Scripture, we know the LORD would not choose some to be saved and some to be lost. According to His own Word, He clearly has not predestined some to go to Heaven and some to Hell. God so loved the “world” that He gave His only begotten Son to pay the full price for the sins of all of mankind – not just some (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). Only those who appropriate His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, by meeting the conditions He set forth, will spend eternity with Him and His family in Heaven (Isaiah 1:19-20; John 1:12; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3).
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL men.” Titus 2:11
Who told you a seal couldn’t be broken? That’s ridiculous… we break open seals every day. “Sealed” comes from the Greek word sphragizo which is defined this way: to stamp with a signet or private mark for security or preservation. (Lit. or fig.) by implication. To keep secret, to attest: – seal up, stop.
SEALED? Phil Kassees writes:
“Do not break the seal of your salvation thus becoming reprobate (fitted for destruction). There will be many that at one time who walked with the Lord, fell from grace and shipwrecked their faith. It’s not only that someone has come to the Lord at one time, but that they continue to abide in him for all time.”
A seal can be broken. A sealed envelope can be opened. It is conditionally sealed. This Greek word, sphragizo, is the same word translated “sealing” concerning the tomb in which Christ was laid after He died on the cross for the sins of the world.
“So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, SEALING the stone, and setting a watch.” Matthew 27:66
Christ’s tomb was sealed and we all know that the seal of Jesus’ tomb was broken, and He rose again. It was not a permanent bond that could not be broken just as the sealing work of the Spirit of God in the believer is not necessarily a permanent bond. The LORD wants it to be, yet will not force any saved person to continue to meet the conditions to be ultimately saved into His holy presence. Biblically speaking, sealing does not mean permanence without condition.
The fact that Jesus’ tomb was unsealed clearly establishes that something sealed CAN be unsealed.
Was the “sealed” stone of Jesus’ tomb rolled away? Yes or no please. It was rolled away after being “sealed.” “So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch” (Matthew 27:66).
Did you know that the same Greek word for “sealed” that is used in Matthew 27:66 is used in Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30? That must in biblical terms mean that sealing is not necessarily permanent!
The tomb in which He lay was divinely un-sealed: “He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6).
HAVE YOU EVER OPENED A “SEALED”ENVELOPE? I DO IT NEARLY EVERY DAY. THAT SEAL ON AN ENVELOPE CAN BE BROKEN AND SO CAN GOD’S SEAL. GOD IS STILL “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY” AND IF YOU LIVE IN SIN, HIS BLESSED RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL BE LIFTED AND YOU WILL NOT MEET THE CONDITION TO ENTER INTO ETERNAL GLORY (ISAIAH 6:3; EZEKIEL 33:12-13; GALATIANS 5:19-21; HEBREWS 12:14-15; REVELATION 4:8; 21:8, 27 ETC.).
IN FACT, YOU’RE NOT SAVED IF YOU THINK THAT SEAL (ON CHRIST’S TOMB) WASN’T BROKEN BECAUSE HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD WHEN THAT SEAL WAS BROKEN. AND, THE RESURRECTION IS A FOUNDATIONAL, ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHRISTIAN’S FAITH (1 CORINTHIANS 15:17).
It’s obvious to see that Reformed theology/Calvinism has redefined what God intended in the word “sealed.” Those who are caught up in this deception are willingly deceived for buying this lie (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
As it is that the Father in Heaven alone could have broken the seal and raised Christ from the dead, so only God can break the seal He has formed. From His Word we learn that He will break the seal and loose the person who was once saved from His kingdom, if that person departs from the faith (Ezekiel 33:12-13; Acts 1:25; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 2:5; 3:16).
THE SAME GREEK WORD FOR “SEALED”THE CALVINIST GRABS AND PERVERTS FROM EPHESIANS IS THE VERY SAME GREEK WORD FROM WHICH WE READ THAT JESUS’ TOMB WAS SEALED. DID THAT SEAL THAT WAS OVER CHRIST’S TOMB REMAIN OR WAS THAT STONE ROLLED AWAY AND JESUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD?
WE KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION AND SO MUST CONCLUDE THAT A SEAL CAN BE BROKEN AND IS NOT IRREVERSIBLE!
“Seals left unattended can allow bacteria (sin) to enter in, losing their seal and turning from good to rotten fruit.” Clarissa Saum
From the whole of Scripture, we can conclude that it is the divine intention that the subject be sealed all the way until the day of redemption and yet no individual’s free will has been removed or diminished. If one begins to rebel, the seal is in jeopardy. The term “sealed unto the day of redemption” in no way negates what the rest of Scripture clearly states. Those who take this to seed, take it out of context, do so to their own destruction.
Every believer is “sealed” when they initially get saved yet this does not prevent that believer from sinning which grieves the Holy Spirit of God who is their seal, and that sin brings forth spiritual death (Ezekiel 18:4, 30; 33:13; Romans 6:23; 8:13; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Revelation 21:8, 27).
The person who believes in “once saved always saved” will say “When one is saved he is sealed by the Holy Spirit and no power in Heaven or earth can break God’s seal!”
To this position, Jeff Paton decrees:
“There is no Scripture verse in Heaven or Earth that says that we cannot break God’s seal! Must they prey on the ignorance of their readers to get them to believe something the Scriptures never say in order to prove their point? Ephesians 4:30 warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, the very One who is our Seal. A warning that serves no purpose if there is no danger! Maybe they should take off their theological glasses long enough so they can stop seeing things that are just not there!”
Another author notes:
“The term ‘predestinate’ is found in two chapters; Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:5, 11. There is no reference in these four verses to either Heaven or Hell, but to Christlikeness. Nowhere are we told in Scripture God predestinates one man to be saved and another to be lost. Men will be saved or lost eternally because of their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
It should be remembered that the Greek definition, no matter the “scholar” rendering it, is never more authoritative than collating the Scriptures in English on any particular subject matter (Isaiah 28:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16). This must be realized or there is the distinct vulnerability to deception by leaders who use Greek ad Hebrew to their own advantage.
Concerning this text (Ephesians 1:13-14), Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible, writes:
“‘Holy Spirit…the earnest.’ The Holy Spirit is an ‘earnest’, i.e., a first installment or down payment, guaranteeing our inheritance. In this age the Holy Spirit is given to believers as a down payment of what we are going to have in great fullness in the future. His presence and work in our lives is a pledge of our future inheritance (cf. Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5).”
Let’s look at the last part of this text, verses 12 through 14.
“…who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:12-14
Here we observe that in this context, the writer of Ephesians speaks of those who “first trusted Christ” and this they chose to do after they “heard the word of truth.” Trusting Jesus and His full payment for our sins is volitional (left as a choice to each individual). Those who believe, trusting Christ, are then said to be “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” The whole context here is that these who are “sealed” are trusting in the LORD. The text says nothing of those who “depart from the LORD” which is a clear possibility according to the Word (Hebrews 3:12-14). The Bible has much to say of this and how all who leave the LORD by not continuing to follow and obey Him to the end of their earthly lives, will perish. Those who depart from Christ after knowing Him will have a worse time in Hell than if they had never believed and been saved in the first place (2 Pet. 2:20-22). In this text, the sealing is clearly connected to one’s trust or trusting in the LORD. Carefully notice that the word “trusted” appears ahead of (prior to in sequence) the word “sealed.” In the divine economy, trusting Christ fully precedes and is a prerequisite to the sealing of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures teach that a believer can stop believing, that sin can separate him from God, and that he can fall from grace (Isaiah 59:2; Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4; 19-21; Hebrews 12:14-15; Revelation 21:8, 21).
According to Ephesians, the presence of the Holy Spirit is the earnest, down payment or deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. This however does not promise or automatically conclude that the one blessed to be chosen and redeemed will continue in the grace of the LORD and be ultimately saved. The individual’s ongoing choice to love and serve God are controlled by himself and no one else. God will not force the free will of men (Genesis 6:3; Deuteronomy 30:19; Isaiah 1:19-20; Galatians 6:7-9; Revelation 2-3).
On predestination, one writer notes:
“Predestination tells us about the ship’s destination and what God has prepared for those remaining on it. God invites everyone to come aboard the elect ship through faith in Jesus Christ. Predestination, like election, APPLIES TO THE CORPORATE BODY OF CHRIST (the true spiritual church), and recognizes individuals only in association with that body through a living faith in Jesus Christ. EXCEPT THESE ABIDE IN THE SHIP YE CANNOT BE SAVED.”
Let’s look at an equally divinely inspired passage of Scripture – equal in divine authority as Ephesians 1. And we know that the divine Person of the Holy Spirit would never contradict Himself in His Word. This will also help to balance and account for the whole divine counsel that we might apprehend the mind of Christ in this matter. To see that departing from Christ after trusting Him is possible, let’s look at Hebrews 3:6, 12-15:
“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end…Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you (brethren) an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:6, 12-15
Being “sealed” in no way exempts the one who has “first trusted in Christ” from obedient faith. He must “hold” his “confidence (in Jesus) stedfast unto the end” and not “depart from the living God.” The one who endures to the end must remain in the grace of God, not possessing “an evil heart of unbelief,” and becoming a “castaway.” A “castaway” is a biblical word for one who is cast away from God after being with Him. The very apostle who wrote these words in Ephesians did not believe that he was indelibly sealed into salvation with no possibility of departing from the LORD (1 Corinthians 9:27; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15).
“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:10
No Scripture states that the child of God is locked into salvation. Paul says here in 2 Corinthians 1:10 that the great LORD has “delivered us…doth (presently) deliver us” and will “yet deliver us.” Those born again are presently saved, are being saved, and as we continue in His grace will be saved. This verse 10 must be taken in context with the text, including the words which precede this verse. Here this apostle of Christ is speaking of those whose lives are truly in Christ. The words of verse 9 are the following – “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9) Those who are saved, must continue in grace and if they do they will ultimately be saved into eternity with the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 21:6-8; 22:13). According to God’s Word Christ must reign in the lives of those who will be His now and forever (also see Romans 6; Gal atians 5:24). In relationship with Christ and by His grace and our own free will, we must sentence to death the deeds of the body that the resurrection life of Jesus might dwell in our mortal bodies (Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
In Ephesians 4:30 we are instructed to “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” The whole verse says:
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30
Grieving the Holy Spirit is obviously possible or such a warning would not appear in God’s Word. In no place does the Bible hint that the seal cannot be broken. The grace-corrupters assume such with no Scriptural authority.
The Bible truth that one can depart from Christ after believing makes it self-evident that God’s sealing does not mean that one who initially believes is automatically locked into or forced to remain a child of God and go to Heaven. This truth must supersede the conclusion drawn by those who insist upon a “once saved always saved” theology and therefore seek to make the sealing of the Holy Spirit a permanent thing without the consent of the individual.
There are those who vainly believe they are “sealed” in such a way as to exempt them from personal accountability or responsibility for their sins. This many times leads to gross irresponsibility. What the Word of God is communicating here in Ephesians 1 concerning sealing is that the Holy Spirit’s presence is in the one who has trusted and is trusting Christ. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer is the “earnest” or divinely-given down payment until final salvation has occurred when that person is in Heaven (Ephesians 1:13-14). One must “believe to the saving of the soul” and be “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” to be an overcomer and receive the heavenly crown (Hebrews 10:39; 1 Peter 1:5; Revelation 2-3). There is no hint of an unconditional eternal security in this Ephesians 1 text where the Bible uses the word “sealed,” yet when dishonest men are bent upon convincing themselves and others of something, they will twist and spin Scripture until they accomplish this. While violating the text and intentionally excluding the whole Counsel of the Word of God, these men make up their own doctrine and are leading many astray. These who corrupt the grace of God for their own purposes, vainly imagine that they are “sealed” in a way the Bible never describes or validates. The “sealing” they speak of is a sham – a sin-justifying lie, placing their souls in danger and at ease in Zion. “Woe unto them” (Amos 6:1)
This whole “Sealed” doctrine cannot possibly mean that such a seal can’t be broken. This is the manipulatory twisting and redefining of biblical truth by the very wolves, the false teachers that Jude warned us about who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” (Jude 3-4)
The OSAS proponents are assuming something without proper biblical authority. They run with the sealing doctrine and yet cannot prove what they teach. Beware!
Be not deceived when men attempt to hold the Greek over you as if they have some superior position of understanding with the LORD. This is where they supposedly prove their error from the Greek. God gave us His Word in our own language as He promised (Psslm 12:6-7). Knowing the Greek and Hebrew is far inferior to knowing the full spectrum of Scriptures in our own language. Collating the Word in our own language – line upon line – is said to determine the divine verdict on any given subject (Isaiah 28:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16). The LORD Himself clearly breathed His Word to us and had it transmitted to us in our own language from Genesis to Revelation. Numerous clearly revealed truths in the Bible overwhelmingly nullify the misuse of the “sealed” doctrine peddled among the deluded. In utter defiance of volumes of scriptural warnings, some convey by what they teach and do not teach, that there should be no thought of eternal danger for the believer who strays into rebellion.
Question: Was there a fall? Did mankind fall? Yes or no please.
How did the fall happen? By sin right? Was that sin a choice? Did God force or lead Adam and Eve to sin? No. They chose to disobey Him and therefore by their sin they were separated from Him who is unchangingly “Holy, holy, holy” and so anyone in sin is separated from Him, even those who were once His (Isaiah 6:3; 59:2; Revelation 4:8).
Paul Cairns writes:
“If ‘once saved – always saved’ was true, by applying the same principal to Adam and Eve… their sin would never have been counted against them. Yes… throughout the Bible, God repeatedly talks TO His children, and ABOUT those who are not. The Bible primarily is a book of instruction and correction to God’s children. 2 Ch 7:14 makes this perfectly clear; “If MY people, which are called by MY name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Matt McCoy writes:
“It’s so hard to read the Bible for what it says. If you can’t let God be true but every man a liar, you can’t have a relationship with the God of the Bible (Romans 3:4). I follow no man. I think for myself, according to the written Word of God alone (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I personally believe that yes you can lose your salvation. For those of you who believe you are eternally secure without condition, well, don’t work out your salvation with fear and trembling. See where it gets you in the end. Don’t lie to yourselves. It’s very dangerous. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell (in the wilderness) severity (severe and final judgment), but toward thee goodness, IFFFFFF thou continue (abide) in his goodness, otherwise thou also shalt be CUT OFF. If ‘once saved always saved’ was true, we wouldn’t need to be concerned about having our names blotted out of the book of life, and that would mean that all the warnings in Scripture are pointless and that God is a fool for putting them there in His Word. The Bible is for believers, specifically. All Scripture applies to God’s children.”
Calvinism | Eternal Security | Eternal Security Audios | Eternal Security Dialogue
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MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
’13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.‘”
REPLY:
God chooses “ALL men” to salvation and yet only some, a “few” choose to obey Him (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2). Who’s going to be with Christ eternally? …. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14
Those who will be in eternity with Christ are those whom He has “called, and chosen” and who were in their earthly life “FAITHFUL.” (Rev. 17:14) God does the calling and choosing and men must be “faithful” to receive His eternal reward. We see everywhere in Scripture, the initiating grace of God and the condition given to men – to be “faithful” to God to the end of this earthly life. Any person seeking to eliminate or deny the involvement of the personal will of men is not dealing honestly with the LORD and His Word.
Jesus Christ promised that only those who know and obey Him will be with Him eternally (Matt. 7:21; Mk. 8:34-38; Lk. 6:46; Rev. 2-3). Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages.
Salvation is by Christ’s WORK on the cross and YET that same Savior demands conditions to be met or there is no deal … like it or not … once saved, that saved person MUST “abide” in Christ which means to remain in Him and when one does good works and good fruit are produced, not sin (John 15:1-6). Any saved person who does not “abide” or remain “to the end” will not be in Heaven with Christ but will rather be cast into the fires of hell for eternity (2 Peter 2:20-22, etc.).
Message Received:
“A seal cannot be broken you need to study this.” Susan
Reply:
Okay, how many people open envelopes daily? Did you open that envelope? If so oooops it wasn’t permanently sealed. The OSAS dupe assumes that “sealed” means that it’s an unbreakable seal. Tell me, what seal is unbreakeable? They’ve never stopped to look to see if the Greek really means that this sealing cannot possibly be broken. No Greek definition of this word will turn such up. It’s inferred by the “ungodly men” who use this word to turn God’s grace into a license for sin (Jude 3-4).
OSAS is a cliché of devils and mere sinful men. IF the Almighty, who gave us 66 books in His Word, wanted us to know that we are unconditionally, eternally secure no matter what we do after being genuinely saved, why didn’t He simply tell us straight out? Did the Almighty forget to tell us something we need to know? Absurd!
NOOO such language as “once saved always saved” (OSAS) ever appears in Holy Scripture. So, in light of this fact, we should ask and seek out what God says in the whole of His non-contradicting written Word. Only then shall we know the truth and be made free from lying clichés like this mythical fable.
There are numerous warnings to God’s people in Scripture about falling away and being lost again.
Why, Why, Why do some insist upon defending and promoting the unfounded ‘once saved always saved’ myth which is not only NOT taught in Scripture, but is actually refuted repeatedly in Scripture???
DID PAUL BELIEVE OR TEACH ‘ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED’???? Paul didn’t believe in ‘once saved always saved’ whatsoever: “But I KEEP under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
Paul never believed or taught the heresy of no-personal-responsibility.
SIN SEPARATES – GOD IS HOLY: “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas BY TRANSGRESSION FELL, that he might go to his own place (eternal hell).” Acts 1:25
Salvation is received and kept by faith – “The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chron 15:2 (KJV)
—- Jude warned of the “ungodly men” who would peddle their perverted grace, the very lie of “lasciviousness” – a perverted grace (see Jer. 23:17)….. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3-4 (KJV) … The Perversion of Grace by Dr. Robert B. Thompson
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Abiding
Swept Away in the “Strong Delusion” [podcast]
Recorded at a fellowship in Houston, Texas
God Himself personally sends a “strong delusion” to all who do not love His truth so that they WILL believe lies. He greases their pole to hell. That’s how personally He takes it when people call Him a liar by not believing His Word.
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Notice “of God” and “NOT of God”
“He that is OF GOD heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are NOT OF GOD.” John 8:47
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Abiding
Nourished Up and Enduring to the End [podcast]
Recently a dear brother in Christ related this testimony to me of our LORD’s work in his life:
“I had a ‘back to Jesus’ moment after the election. As I was horribly disappointed in our country and the dividing of even my own friends, I was praying: ‘I’ve lost faith in my country, I’ve lost faith in my friends…’ then it hit me… I had put my faith in the wrong things. It’s so easy to depend on others. But now I am trusting only in my Lord and Savior.”
“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:10
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Hebrews 13:14
Satan seeks to seduce God’s people with counterfeit causes – causes outside of that which is clearly defined by Holy Scripture as Christ’s Gospel cause! A moral cause is not necessarily the work of the Messiah. Loving the LORD with all of our being and doing His work, the work of the Gospel is His will as we are “new creature(s)” in Christ and His “ambassadors,” sent forth by Him to teach His Word (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
HAVE WE EXALTED FREEDOM ABOVE CHRIST – THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN GIVE IT? “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3-5) and “No man can serve two masters” right? (Matthew 6:24)
Do we love Jesus more than freedom? Do we love His Great Commission more than the cause of getting our country back?
In fact we have no freedom if we are not born again and presently walking with and abiding in Jesus on HIS stated terms (John 8:31-32; 15:1-16). Jesus came to save, heal, and grant freedom in the Spirit, from Satan, and freedom from sin to those who are His (Matthew 1:21; Luke 4:18; John 1:29; Acts 26:18; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10, etc.). Here, listen to the Son of God ….
“As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, IF ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:30-32
The LORD makes free those whom He saves, those who continue in an abiding relationship with Him (John 15).
You must “desire the sincere milk of the word” and feed your spirit the Word of God daily or you will grow weak very quickly and fall away (1 Peter 2:2). Jesus calls us to be “Nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6).
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
Jesus is KING and kingdom living is all about exalting KING Jesus – not mere men or organizations or ministries! It’s only then that His divine “nourishment” is going to flow down into His beloved body!
“Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:18-19
Heaven’s “nourishment” only transpires when KING Jesus is truly exalted.
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
Modern church pawns want you to become enamored with THEM, not CHRIST. It’s a sales job! Beware. Read Colossians 2:18-19 closely.
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6
Feed. Feast. Fuel. Those who choose not to feast upon and fuel their hearts and minds with God’s Word daily, are not going to make it. They will walk weak, empty, and malnourished, just as the 5 foolish virgins did and were shut out of the kingdom (Matthew 25:1-13). They have freely chosen not to be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6).
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
Daily drinking the healing oil of God’s Word assures divine nourishment and wholeness in your spirit. God’s Word gets in us only when we get into it – and seek Him in it daily. Memorize Jeremiah 15:16 now.
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
JUST as none of us understand but know the blessing of food nourishing our physical bodies, so the Word of God nourishes our spirit man, our hearts. It’s a daily must. Feeding and being nourished by the words of God is an imperative (Job 12:23; Jeremiah 15:16; Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 Peter 2:2, etc.). His Word cannot get into us and nourish us until we get into it! Let the nourishment begin!
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly)…” Colossians 3:16
Note here in the above passage, we see Christ instructing those who believed upon Him to “continue in my word.” This was Jesus’ perfect opportunity to tell these new believers that they were “eternally secure” but He didn’t because He’s the Son of God and not a false prophet!
Jesus says that it’s only “IF ye continue in my word” that you will know the truth, be made free and walk in the liberty, the freedom He alone can grant from sin! See John 8:31-32, 36. YOU GOT SAVED? GOOD – NOW STAY SAVED!
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12
You must turn your heart to the LORD – in true worship – in order to walk in the liberty that He alone can give!
“Nevertheless when it (your heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail (that blinds) shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-17
Fake “bibles” such as the NIV teach that “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). Read that again. In the context of the whole of Scripture, we must ask: Did Jesus come to set us free for freedom’s sake or to be set free from sin in order to serve Him as new creatures? (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Any student of God’s Word knows that this NIV rendering of Galatians 5:1 is a contradiction, a lie. | Fake “bibles” Exposed!
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
“As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16
As was foretold, we are seeing that some are departing from the faith, listening to devils and their doctrines from the fake “bibles” and false prophets of today, instead of being daily nourished up in the pure words of God and helping feed Christ’s flock. Get a King James Bible.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; … 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. … 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 6, 16
Any person who is teaching that it’s impossible to “depart from the faith” (to leave Christ) after being saved, is a false teacher (Luke 8:13).
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-15
“For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:34-39
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Be not deceived: You cannot sustain a life with Christ without daily fellowship with Him!
“In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:19
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
So many today who claim Christ view salvation as something they did in the past and not a present relationship with Christ on His stated terms (John 15; Titus 1:16).
Okay so think about the last time you heard this passage read in a “church” gathering. Well, have you ever heard it read? These are the warning words of the very and soon coming LORD and Savior.
“All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:10-13
“And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.” Mark 4:15-19
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Apostasy
Naming Names: Is It Biblical? [podcast]
Scoping, Identifying, and Taking Aim at Deceivers
Knowing How and When to Mark
(A Must-Read for all who desire more discernment to escape the evil one in this late hour. This is an excerpt from the book titled Deceivers False Prophets Among Us which is available on this site)
THE witches and warlocks parading their witchcraft as they pretend to be Christ’s ministers vainly believe they are not going to be exposed by Christ’s true disciples! NOTTTTT!!!!!! Both barrels blazing!!!!! Unleashing the power of God on these devils!!!
“Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17
Identifying and marking “them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine” of the LORD, is to be a regular part of the Christian life. In an hour when the proliferation of false teaching is mutating at an increasingly exponential rate, those who love the LORD must examine and test everything against the final authority of the recorded oracles of God (Acts 17:11).
Note: There’s a difference between Satan accusing God’s people and God’s people identifying and marking wolves in sheep’s clothing among us. Be careful not to mix things up: Note that Satan is the “accuser of our BRETHREN” (Revelation 12:10)… and the “brethren” are NOT the wolves the “brethren” are commanded to “MARK” and “earnestly contend” AGAINST (Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3). Read that again. God commands His disciples to “MARK” which means to make known, to identify those wolves so God’s people can be protected. Beware of those who are misusing Scripture. Stop it now. You cannot “rightly” divide the Word of truth until you are daily, diligently studying and walking with other of His saints in the revelation that is the written Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15).
The following warning enlightens us to understand this:
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Would the all-knowing God have put such a warning in His Word if being spoiled were not possible? People can be spoiled (derailed, made shipwreck of) through false doctrines and philosophies, which, without fail, elevate men and demote Christ (Col. 2:8-9; 18-19).
These derailment elements are designed to steal glory from Christ. If we love Him, we are to “hear God’s words” and “hate every false way.” (Jn. 8:47; Ps. 119:104, 128; Amos 5:14-15)
GOD told you to “mark them” and not support them! (Romans 16:17-18)
SO WHY aren’t you exposing Christ’s enemies? Is it because 1. you are a moral coward who refuses to lay down your life in this world?, or is it 2. because you do not truly know Him who “is love” and therefore could care less about the protection of others?
IF you aren’t warning, you aren’t walking in God’s love. Repent now! Obey!
Let’s break this extremely important Bible text down:
“Mark them” – Beloved, we are mandated to simply and truly hearken to this divinely given instruction, to personally own this truth and walk in it, to be possessed with the protective love of our holy and “Great Shepherd of the sheep.” (Heb. 13:20) One of the ways the “Great Shepherd” protects the sheep of His pasture, is by His other sheep, scoping out and marking the wolves whose venomous lies would devour.
The clear instruction of the Word is to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine.” All human sentiments, reasonings, and excuses must be crucified.
“Mark them” – the Greek word here for “mark” is skopeo, which means “to scope out; to take aim at, consider, watch.”
Believers are here mandated to wisely scope out closely, observe and scrutinize all teachings and spiritual leaders under the lamp of God’s holy Word. We are to closely discern between true and false doctrines and leaders and sound the alarm on that which is found to be inconsistent with holy Writ. This is to be done especially when dealing with foundational, essential truths (which are a salvation issue).
Did Jesus ever instruct His people to debate the wolves? No. Yet He did command us through His apostle Paul to “rebuke them sharply” and to “mark them.” (Titus 1:13; Romans 16:17-18)
“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:128
Looking closely at leaders from a Bible perspective is a mandate. Such only becomes a negative when done out of a critical spirit instead of out of love and obedience to the LORD and for the keeping of the way of the LORD in ourselves and others (1 Tim. 4:6, 16). Disciples are to examine every teaching, philosophy, and notion encountered in the light of His holy oracles. In such, the disciple is to identify deceivers, false teachings and practices and “mark them,” that is, watch out for and take aim at them, while warning others. The Holy Spirit also says we are to “avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17)
Concerning this text in Romans 16, Donald Stamps, in the Life In the Spirit Study Bible, writes:
“At the end of his letter, Paul gives a strong warning to the church in Rome to be alert to all those who do inestimable damage to the church by corrupting and extorting the ‘doctrine’ (teaching) of Paul and the other apostles. They are to ‘mark’ the proponents of false doctrine and ‘avoid them’ and their ministry. Those marked may have been antinomians (i.e., against the law), who taught that because salvation is by grace, saving faith does not necessarily include obedience to Christ Jesus (cf. 6:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:2; 11:3; Eph. 4:14; Rev. 2:4-5).”
They believed that a person could live in sin and reject God’s moral law, and yet possess eternal salvation. These false teachers were eloquent orators, speaking with comforting words and flattering speeches (cf. Jude 16), but deceiving simple Christians.” (p. 1759)
This commentator denotes a specific teaching, all too alive and well in the modern church, that is to be marked and avoided along with those who propagate it.
William MacDonald states:
“It is an ungodly tolerance that has allowed so many pulpits in America to be filled with ‘false apostles and deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ’. Detecting a resemblance to conditions in Elijah’s day, J Sidlow Baxter writes ‘Such are the people who today, with sickly kindness, will tolerate teachers of errors in our pulpits because they are such smooth-mannered and amiable gentlemen. They would rather allow error to be preached and souls to be deceived than hurt the preacher’s feelings. Let Baal be worshipped rather than drought come! Let the cancer kill its victim rather than the cruel surgeon use the knife!…The best thing that could happen to some so-called Christian ministers of today is that they should be denounced in God’s name by their hearers.’
It is a sinful tolerance [1] that refuses to castigate a false church system that leads millions to eternal destruction with its perverted gospel. [2] That honours its head as a great evangelist at the same time that he is condemning evangelicals as wolves. [3] That labels God’s prophets as divisive when they denounce its idolatry, its mariolatry and its other heresies. [4] That sends converts back into its deadening clutches.
What has happened to the church of the martyrs?
We have an enormous craving for popularity. This is the stuff of which false prophets are made. We have a desire to avoid unpleasantness at all cost. A desire like this keeps us from confronting, from intervening when we should.
We have a distaste for being different. We find it easier to move along with the crowd, to drift with the tide. It is all too easy to remain silent when we are in an adverse theological climate. We are ‘slaves who dare not to be right with two or three’.
We have lost the capacity for being angry. We are not easily enough disturbed. We are in the sorry state of having no capacity for indignation. We are experts at putting off decisiveness simply because we don’t want to act.
Sometimes we are too blinded by friendship to stand against wrong. When a Christian spoke out against E. J. Carnell’s book ‘The Case For Orthodoxy’ because it argued against the inspiration of the Scriptures, a friend of the author said ‘Well you do not know him personally as I do. He is a gracious gentleman, a godly man’.
Jay Adams was right when he said ‘In some circles, the fear of controversy is so great that preachers and congregations following after them will settle for peace at any cost – even the cost of the truth – God’s truth. The idea is that peace is all- important. Peace is a biblical ideal…but so is purity. The peace of the church may never be bought at the price of the purity of the church. The price is too dear’.
Ecumenism and catholicity are two great buzzwords today. Let’s all get together. Don’t do or say anything to rock the boat. Doctrine divides, they say. What we need is unity.
What we really need is to contend earnestly for the faith in a day when it is being attacked, diluted and denied. We will be tolerant in matters of indifference but intolerant of departure from the truth of God. With Luther, ‘Here we stand. We can do no other’.”
Disciples of Christ are held accountable for progressively learning and proclaiming the whole will and counsel of God, which includes warning others of false teachings and those responsible for them (see also Isa. 58:1; Ezek. 33:7-9; 34:1-10; Acts 20:26-32; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Tim. 2:17-18).
Christ’s true representatives are known by their purity of character and doctrine (Tit. 1:5-9; 2:6-8).
Friend of Christ, are you beginning to see this truth and understand the reason our LORD instituted such?
“Mark (scope out, take aim at and watch) them which cause divisions and offences contrary (against; opposed) to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17
Christians are held accountable for proclaiming the whole counsel of God and warning others of false teachings and those responsible for them.
Dark Works are to be Exposed
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (EXPOSE) them.” Ephesians 5:11
When false teaching is discovered, it is to be exposed. At times, when a false prophet or teacher is detected, if unrepentant, they are also to be exposed.
Discernment Hint: If someone continues to teach false doctrine, they simply have not repented and are to be exposed and marked for their rebellion. God counts heretics to be rebels whom He told us to “reject.” (Tit. 3:10).
Sinning elders are to be openly rebuked in order that all may learn and more fervently fear God:
“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” 1 Timothy 5:20
It is a sin to condone and not expose deadly falsehoods propagated by leaders “who privily (secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies.” (2 Pet. 2:1) The divine purpose here is to identify and announce those who are marked for destruction so they don’t bring others with them.
Here in 2 Peter, the Holy Spirit speaks of “false teachers” and “false prophets” who teach “damnable heresies” –which means lies that damn their listeners to hell (2 Pet. 2:1-3).
The LORD has identified those who teach falsehoods as Satan’s ministers – “such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:12-15) In this passage, we are told that Satan’s “ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
Let us no more deny Christ the LORD by hiding Satan’s prophets and teachers. Why would any child of God want to jeopardize the souls of those around them? How can we so misunderstand the LORD by thinking that silence in this matter is loving? At times, silence can be hatred instead of love.
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:10-12
For the sake of the offending party and those under his influence, there are instances where open rebuke is called for instead of love that is hidden and withheld.
“Open rebuke is better than secret love.” Proverbs 27:5
Who is to be marked?
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. 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.” Galatians 1:6-9
Those who teach “any other gospel” are “accursed” of God and to be marked. The term “ANY other gospel” is incriminating, and cuts closer into the core of Christian leadership than many may want to acknowledge. Yet, any other gospel than that given by Christ and His apostles is false and identifies the one who espouses and teaches it as a deceiver.
On a personal note: Throughout my walk with the LORD, I have seen several people fall away who once served Him. Several of these who have fallen away have been derailed due to false teachings they bought into. One particular long-time friend was diverted from Christ by beginning to make Saturday his new “savior.” Jesus no longer remained as his Rest, but rather the idolatry of a certain day that Christ made. Paul warned strongly against this and other pagan idolatrous emphases which are designed to rob glory from Christ. It is fine to gather on Saturday or any day, but when the day becomes the focus instead of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the leaven of idolatry is present (Col. 2:14-19).
The convincing cult was successful in alluring and snaring this man with their false emphasis and diabolically diversionary tactics. What might have been the outcome if someone would have preemptively taught this man biblical truth and warned him against the cult that snared him?
Beware of “Fair Speeches”
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 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.” Romans 16:17-18
The apostle Paul tells people here to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine” of the LORD which is found in the Holy Scriptures.
Carefully note the phrase “fair speeches” which is defined as “fine style of utterance, giving the appearance of reasonableness.” So, the Scripture here informs us that such beguilers will “deceive the hearts of the simple” by “fair speeches.” This is the very way so many are being led astray in this late hour. The message and manner of these men have the appearance of godliness, and might even include a few tears, but their hidden motives center around their own agenda and not the LORD’s. This alone makes one a false prophet.
Does anyone you know come to mind when you hear these words of holy Writ?
While attending a local fellowship for some time, I had observed the sentiments of the senior pastor month after month, year after year. There was an arrogant spirit, which was like a perfume, sensed more than seen. I witnessed the tears and emotions of this pastor and his wife (as they stood with their thousand dollar outfits – seldom, if ever, worn twice). I tried to be patient but there never seemed to be a difference in the way they lived. There was seemingly no reduction in the high-mindedness. Pride and self-service seemed to fill their lives and therefore exuded from their ministry. So, after ample time had expired, it was time to move on to be with the humble in heart (Prov. 16:19). O how refreshing!
The stylish, persuasive reasonings of this pastor, even his use of Scripture, were compelling. His “fair speeches” were commanding and emotionally and intellectually stimulating. They gave the appearance of reasonableness and godliness. In the final analysis, many of those eloquent of speech and rich with persuasive words, are found to be empty hearted, void of the life of Jesus due to serving self instead of the Savior – “whose god is their belly.” (Phil. 3:19) Paul purposely avoided becoming an eloquent orator in order to establish God’s people in the LORD Himself and not in the wisdom of mere men (1 Cor. 2:1-5).
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Saints, the LORD promised us that He was going to shake all things in these last days. As he shakes the foundations of our lives – that is, tests with fire the actual materials our faith is based upon, what shall we do? Shall we be willingly broken before His holiness, letting Him have His way in us?
“…but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:26-29
We have all unduly espoused the teachings and personalities of certain men and women in ministry. He is calling us to repent of our spiritual adulteries, where we have alienated our heart affections from Him and placed them in mere men.
Beloved, let us see the big picture of eternity in this. – “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom (forever with Jesus) which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” May He grant us His “grace” with “godly fear” and bring upon our lives His “consuming fire” to burn away all spiritual adultery, that we might soundly worship Him alone in spirit and in truth.
A tell-tale sign: If we can peacefully receive the expose’ of one of these ministers we have grown to like, we know that the LORD has delivered us from spiritual adultery. Perhaps if we get upset and come to the defense of these mere men while excusing their deadly errors, we have not yet laid down our idolatry of these men.
Like Paul, the apostle of Christ, true disciples of Jesus who serve in leadership go through painstaking measures to root and ground their audiences in Christ alone and not themselves – “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified…That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5)
The Savior is calling His remnant to relinquish all idols of the heart and place our affections upon Him alone who is our life and salvation.
In the ultimate end, many who tickle ears and move hearts and have spent lots of God’s monies to establish themselves, are discovered to be those who bellow out empty words from hollow hearts, void of the fruit of authentic Christ-likeness. These men are what Jude identified as “clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” (Jude 12) All this is being perpetrated while these people are drowning in the wealth they reap from God’s people, most of whom have no clue as to the disingenuous nature of this type of deceiver. These men, multitudes of whom operate in our midst, “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Rom.16:18)
Doesn’t it seem like those who have no guile or malice in their hearts are most vulnerable to deception? Could this be due to the fact that it may seldom if ever enter such a pure mind that anyone would be operating according to an insidious, selfish, malicious agenda? The harmless heart many times cannot imagine someone could operate this way since such motives are not within themselves.
Is Silence Really Golden?
Refusing to sound the alarm by speaking out and warning others of Satan’s lies is paramount to being in league with the evil one! In such a case, does not Satan say, “Silence is Golden”?
Such unjust silence endangers the souls of others and will be brought to light in the Judgment.
On numerous occasions, Jesus audibly verbalized His righteous anger toward the Pharisees of His day and so are we called to do at times.
We should ask ourselves: Are we reasoning or seeking to simply obey what God told us to do? Who are we trying to please?
Those who expose false teaching and ministers do the work of God.
- “Behavior unchallenged is behavior condoned.” Unknown
Love that emanates from the LORD speaks the truth (Prov. 12:17; 16:6; Eph. 4:15).
The defense of the New Testament, apostolic faith, once given to the saints, will bring division and persecutions (2 Cor. 11:12-15; Gal. 1:9; Phil. 1:15-17). The enemy does not like his strongholds being plundered by the cannons of divine truth spoken by the LORD’s saints.
Jesus commanded HIS people to “JUDGE righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) And, He commanded us to know/discern others “BY THEIR FRUITS” and that’s exactly what we’re doing under the command of KING JESUS (Matthew 7:16, 20). Dare you interfere with HIS work and become His enemy? You are bidding Godspeed to evil doers, satan’s wolves in sheep’s clothing, and you will be judged with those enemies of Christ if you don’t repent (2 John 10-11).
When discernment and separation are enacted, a sharp sword of division seems to unfailingly separate the remnant from the tares (those who do not love the truth). The tares are those who live to gratify the fleshly lusts in the guise of being a real Christian (Rom. 6).
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
The returning LORD Himself is our reward, comfort, and consolation (Rev. 22:12; 2 Cor. 1:3-7).
The LORD dislikes when men are not strong in His truth and don’t stand for it and defend it:
“They are not valiant for the truth upon the earth.” Jeremiah 9:3
“…if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38
He actually equips and anoints men to preach and defend His truth – and sometimes this is in a violent fashion.
“But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.” Micah 3:8
“Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings… I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker…” Isaiah 51:7, 12-13
Gospel workers are to be ever ready to “…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” with “the Word.” (2 Tim. 4:2)
Naming Names? Is that Biblical?
Have you ever personally counted the people the apostle Paul marked by name in the book of 2 Timothy? Try it. Read 2 Timothy (4 chapters) and keep a count of the deceivers Paul identifies and names. You will find 8 men named by name as deceivers in 2 Timothy alone.
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly (selfish interests), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:17-21
Saints, are we so naive as to believe that in our day there are no “enemies of the cross of Christ”? Not only are there Christ’s enemies in our day, the Bible foretold that just before the return of our LORD there would come a great falling away at the hands of these end-time predators who operate in the church world, many who are very famous ministers (2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4; 2 Tim. 3-4; 1 Jn. 4:1-6).
There are some essential truths embedded and revealed here in this Bible text that are very important to know concerning these “enemies of the cross of Christ.” Let’s look at some:
- They are many (plentiful) not a few – “For many walk…”
- Paul repeatedly warned of deceivers – “I have told you often…”
- Paul warned with tears – “…now tell you even weeping…”
- These men pose as His servants but are actually His enemies – “they are the enemies of the cross of Christ”
- These men are going to hell unless they repent – “Whose end is destruction…”
- They serve themselves in ministry while supposedly representing Christ – “whose God is their belly (selfish interests)…”
- They revel in things they should be ashamed of – “whose glory is in their shame…”
- They speak affectionately of movies and other secular interests and tend to things of this fleeting world – “who mind earthly things…”
- These “ENEMIES of the cross of Christ” must be marked by the LORD’s remnant no matter what the cost (Rom. 16:17-18). We are mandated to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine” of Christ in order to protect the sheep of the LORD’s pasture.
Have you ever personally counted the people the apostle Paul marked in the book of 2 Timothy? Try it. Read 2 Timothy (4 chapters) and keep a count of the deceivers Paul identifies by name. You will find several men named by name as deceivers in 2 Timothy alone. When the Holy Spirit moved upon Paul to foretell that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived,” he also led him to name some of those “enemies of the cross” in his and previous days (Phil. 3:17-20). The naming of these men is for an eternal memorial of the just wrath of the Almighty upon those who defame His holy name through deception and false teaching (2 Pet. 2, 3; Jude). When reading the Old Testament especially, we see a Redeemer who will destroy the enemies of His people – because He loves His people (Isa. 49:25; 54:17, etc.). This is the protective love of the LORD.
SETTING THE BIBLICAL RECORD STRAIGHT
Here is the list of the 8 evil doers the great apostle was divinely inspired to justifiably identify by name in 2 Timothy – in order to protect God’s people:
- 1) Phygellus 1:15
- 2) Hermogenes 1:15
- 3) Hymenaeus 2:17
- 4) Philetus 2:17
- 5) Jannes 3:8
- 6) Jambres 3:8
- 7) Demas 4:10 (apostate)
- 8) Alexander the coppersmith 4:14
Note that Philetus was a false teacher who was teaching cancerous lies – false doctrines – and Paul said that the “word” Philetus was teaching will eat up the faith of believers like a cancer. – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2:15-18)
It is interesting to observe here that in the same letter Paul names these names of beguilers, he also states:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
We readily gather here that naming names is an integral part of real New Testament ministry and those who obey can like this apostle of Jesus, be confident that they have completely fulfilled the will of God – “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown.” In this text, the Holy Ghost says that the LORD is a “righteous judge.” I believe that those who mark deceivers in obedience to divine mandate, are going to be rewarded eternally for such obedience.
We see clearly here that fighting the good fight and finishing our course involves and includes marking deceivers.
Men of God today are mandated to do the same, yet only by the revelation of the Word of God. Marking people is commanded in the Bible (Rom. 16:17-18). If a public leader is teaching people falsehood, he is to be confronted and exposed. The fruit of truly repenting of teaching something that contradicts God’s Word is that the leader will publicly amend his way and doctrine.
Naming names must never be done recklessly or out of a personal vendetta, but only according to the Word and in the Spirit for the glory of God and protection of His beloved people.
We are instructed to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). When Jesus’ disciples sought to call down fire from Heaven to destroy those who would not receive the Messiah into their town, the LORD rebuked them, and said, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” (Lk. 9:55-56) Jesus instructed us to “judge righteous judgment” and in this case He obviously counted the judgment of His disciples to be unrighteous instead of righteous (Jn. 7:24). Though sin also, unbelief of a group of lost people is obviously different than wolves who operate in disguise among His people in sheep’s clothing and deceive the sheep of His pasture. Of these the Word tells us that they have “crept in unawares” and “privily (secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies.” (2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4) The “Great shepherd of the sheep” broods jealously over His beloved people and will smite the wolves who seek to devour His precious sheep (Ps. 23; 91; Matt. 23:37; Heb. 13:20; James 5:5-7). The same LORD who corrected His disciples for having a wrong spirit in trying to call down fire upon unbelievers also instructed those who serve Him to “mark” those who mislead His people and to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” against the “certain men” who are “crept in unawares.” He told us that those men who would mislead His people “were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 3-4) Concerning those who would mislead any one of His precious children, Jesus says that “it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt. 18:6)
WHAT IS SATAN’S FAVORITE VERSE TO TWIST AND MISUSE? ! ATTN Whining “judge not” Scripture twisters: Jesus was speaking of HYPOCRITICAL JUDGING in Matthew 7:1-5 and not all judging. READ the passage. Jesus commands His people to “JUDGE righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) – YOU need to get into the Word. You are a novice and are judging others for judging and therefore hypocritically breaking the very thing you are judging others for. Now, it’s time to repent, to get into and obey God’s Word which mandates that all false teachers and false teaching be exposed. You must die, to lay down your life and when you do, Jesus will embolden you to obey Him. If calling out, naming, and exposing false teachers is wrong judgment, Jesus and His apostles were sinning by often doing so. The LORD would have us to repent and “judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24).
Those leaders who refuse to expose lies clearly reveal that they are operating in ministry for themselves and not the LORD. They are not protecting God’s sheep and are thereby disobeying the LORD. Identifying falsehoods and at times the people teaching them, is a protective measure to keep God’s people from being spoiled/deceived (Col. 1:27-2:8). By the way, this Bible topic like all others, does not hinge upon what you or I think should be done – BUT UPON WHAT THE LORD HAS CLEARLY TOLD US. So it is time to die to the self-life and all of its emotional affinities and sentiments and just DO the Word.
“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…” Romans 3:3-4
Note “Let God be true, but every man (including ourselves) a liar… ”
What makes people get upset when names of deceivers are mentioned? It’s biblical, so what are they stirred about? Are the scalded dogs barking? Are those who have made idols of these mere sinful men covering for them? What’s at stake?
Saints, naming names is a divine mandate. Naming names has its place in God’s economy. If one has a problem with that, let him argue with Him. It’s time to catch up with truth and begin to walk in it – seasoned with the protective love of Christ.
Taking offense because certain ministries name the false doctrine in the church world or even the names of false leaders just may be a matter of the heart. Perhaps we need to look within and beg the LORD to search us out and lead us in His way everlasting (Ps 139:23-24).
What does God say about this?
Who are we truly worshipping? Whom do we fear? Who do we seek to please? Upon whom are our affections set? If a person gets upset because their favorite limelight leader or pet pastor or prophet is identified by name as false, perhaps that person has an unnatural soul tie to that leader and his ministry. Is this not idolatry of the heart?
“Woe to the idol shepherd…” Zechariah 11:17
Friend, God’s kingdom is all about Jesus Christ and His eternal, unchanging Word, not any mere man or group of men (Mk. 13:31).
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
Why Some Don’t Want to Expose
Could it be self-preservation? What is it that is behind the refusal of some to dispense God’s truth after He has clearly instructed us to do such? And on top of that, why is it that some who fear men and therefore refuse to identify and expose the false, exude an air of spiritual pride as if they are being “loving” by allowing people to remain under the dark shadow of false teaching while hiding the doctors of deception who espouse these falsehoods? How perverse a picture is this and how very absurd for some to believe they are being “loving” by hiding this soul-saving information!
Could it be that these are cloaking pride and self-preservation behind a pseudo “love”? God’s pure love rejoices in and speaks the truth – (Prov. 12:17; 1 Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:15). When God’s love is truly made perfect in us, we will speak His truth in His love.
“He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.” Proverbs 12:17
Is it not personal and evil pride that is at the foundation of such thinking and inaction, cloaking itself in a false “love” that is not according to the constitution (Word, Counsel) of the One who is love?
Jesus told us He is the “truth” and the Word tells us that “God is love.” (Jn. 14:6; 1 Jn. 4:8, 16) These two attributes are equally a part of the divine character and an imbalance is the result of His people not acknowledging both. God’s method is to get to the root of our iniquities and purge them with His “mercy and truth.” Study Jeremiah 1:10 and Proverbs 16:6.
Do we realize what is at stake here?
“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 7-11
In case you were still wondering if what a person believes is important to their eternal destination, wonder no more. Let these sobering words of Holy Scripture grip your soul deeply:
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth (remains) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.” 2 John 9
“Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24
Weakness, Disobedience, Self-love Masking Itself as Tolerance
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” Leviticus 19:17
Here the LORD equates hating one’s brother to the neglect of rebuking and allowing sin to prosper in his life. The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death” and so to allow sin to prosper in our brethren is to hate them (Rom. 6:23). “Open rebuke is better than secret love” right? (Prov. 27:5-6) We should admonish, correct, and at times even rebuke each other for espousing unbiblical teachings and/or living in sin.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
In Colossians 3:16 we are told to:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”
Handle the Word of God
- “in all wisdom”
- “teach and admonish one another”
- “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”
Hatred withholds truth that would otherwise set someone free as only the truth can do when communicated and adhered to (Jn. 8:31-32, 36). This applies not only to sin but also to loving our neighbor enough to wisely and lovingly attempt to guard him with truth from being deceived and drawn away from pure devotion to the One who died to save us.
Some of us act as if it is a Christian virtue to tolerate any and everything that comes down the pike – “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). We mask our selfish preservation and self-idolatry behind a false “love” that has no reconciliation with Bible truth.
In his book Man to Man, Richard Halverson wrote:
“There are times when tolerance is not a virtue, but weakness. There is certainly no virtue in being tolerant if one holds no convictions, and it is not uncommon for the man who believes nothing, who speaks themost of tolerance, to be the most intolerant of one who really believes something. Jesus’ absolute intolerance of sin and error was in no way inconsistent with His love for men, even the sinner or the liar.” (p. 59)
Martin Luther said:
“I was born to fight devils and factions. It is my business to remove obstructions, to cut down thorns, to fill up quagmires, and to open and make straight paths. But if I must have some failing, let me rather speak the truth with too great severity than once to act the hypocrite and conceal the truth.”
When teachings that flood the church world would bring God’s people into spiritual deception, are speared and exposed, God will bless.
“Real valor consists not in being insensible to danger, but in being prompt to confront and disarm it.” ~ Sir Walter Scott
God rewards those who vigilantly expose His enemies, especially when He leads them to do so – and He certainly will lead His people to do so (Romans 16:16-18; Ephesians 5:11; Jude 3). The LORD can only use us inasmuch as we have His Word in our hearts. Thank God for the modern-day Jaels (Judges 5:24). Thank God for the valiant Phinehas’ of today who spear the sin of false doctrine. These are the resolute defenders of God’s glory who decisively deal with the evil corruption of the divine image in the minds and hearts of His people.
When lies are exposed with divine truth, God will bless (Num. 25; Judges 5:24-31).
When God’s love is truly made perfect in us, we will speak His truth with boldness and kindness (Eph. 4:15).
There is a “Difference”
Matthew 18:15-17 ….This passage is often misapplied. DOES Matthew 18:15-17 apply to wolves? No. Notice how He begins – “Moreover if thy brother (not a lost soul or wolf) shall trespass against thee…” What Jesus was teaching us in Matthew 18:15-17 is for the members of His body exclusively. Wolves are Satan’s plants to deceive His body and not members His body but rather ministers of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).
“Moreover if thy brother (not a lost soul or wolf) shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 18:15-17
As we discern we are then responsible to expose our findings to others (1 Tim. 4:6, 16).
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.” Ezekiel 44:23-24
Discernment is not condemnation. Discernment is simply the ability and act of distinguishing between holy and unholy, true and false.
Jesus Christ condemned hypocritical judgment, and commanded “righteous judgment.” (Matt.7:1-5; Jn. 7:24)
Speaking of those who follow Him, the LORD tells us here in Ezekiel 44:23 that “They shall teach my people the difference” – to discern between “holy and profane” and “unclean and clean.” The love of God which abides in true under-shepherds, is protective and trains others to discern and be guarded from the mischief intended upon them by the evil one who works through deceivers disguised in sheep’s clothing and their teachings.
Naivety is not a virtue in God’s kingdom, it is a curse.
Our LORD instructed us to pray for and obtain discernment and 1 John tells us to test every spirit and to not blindly receive and believe every person who comes in the name of Jesus because “many (not a few) false prophets are gone out among you.” (Rev. 3:18; 1 Jn. 4:1; Matt. 24:11)
The Bible speaks of the overseer as one who must “Take care of the church of God.” (1 Tim. 3:5) According to Proverbs 27:23, the overseer of the sheep of God’s pasture must be diligent to know the state of his flocks and to look well (oversee closely with the jealous love of God) to his herds.
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Proverbs 27:23
He should diligently look out over the horizon for wolves coming in to devour the LORD’s sheep with their deadly lies. All doctrinal error must be met with the full force of divine truth by those who love Him. Divine truth is the safety of the believer in abiding in Christ to the end (Prov. 30:5).
Discernment is simply the dividing of truth from error, relying fully upon God’s Word, which is the final authority for all matters concerning the faith once delivered to the saints (Mk. 13:31; Jn. 10:35; 2 Tim. 3:16; Jude 3-4). When the believer studies to show himself approved unto God, he will then be able to “rightly” divide “the word of truth” from error (2 Tim. 2:15).
In the Scriptures, the Holy Ghost divides between “the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” One of the earmarks of the “spirit of antichrist” and the foretold “many false prophets” is that “the world heareth them.” Those under the “spirit of antichrist” do not endure sound doctrine, they cannot hear it – instead they rebel. These love darkness rather than light. See John 3:19-21; 8:47; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 1 John 4:1-6. These are those leaders and followers who purposely affirm instead of rebuking their sinful nature (2 Tim. 4:2-4). We must discern those deceivers who affirm people in their sins by not declaring God’s holiness, the biblical definition of sin, and the essential nature of repentance.
When Solomon became king, he was asked what he desired from the LORD.
“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee…(Solomon answered) Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” 1 Kings 3:5, 9-10
Solomon wisely chose to covet from the LORD the ability to “discern between good and bad.” The Bible records that this request “pleased the Lord.”
Shouldn’t discernment be what we covet from our LORD in this late hour where we have been told to watch closely for deceivers? – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy…” (1 Tim. 4:1-2)
Discernment is sought out and then taught to others by leaders who are true to the LORD (Ezek. 44:23). They are ever diligent to feed and guard “the flock of God” from the spiritual rabies of the promised wolves who “lie in wait to deceive.” (1 Pet. 5; Eph. 4: 14)
Check out the state of the people of God in Isaiah’s day, when wolf packs had hijacked the positions of authority, designed to be occupied by men who authentically feared God.
“The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.” Isaiah 56:8-10
Do we think that our day is altogether different from Isaiah’s when the leaders of the people were self-serving, “blind… ignorant…dumb dogs…sleeping, lying down” and “loving to slumber”?
At the helm, insidiously guiding the Church into deep darkness, are men who have only an outward form or formula of godliness, yet are not submitted under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
“Wolves” and “beasts of the field” must be marked so that “his people, and the sheep of his pasture” can be warned, be wise to them and able to stay out of harm’s way (Matt. 7:15; Ps. 100:3).
“Warn Them from Me”
“So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel 33:7
God told Israel that its leaders “are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.” (Isa. 56:10)
A watchdog instinctively sounds the alarm by barking. What should be instinctive is now asleep in the hearts of those in leadership who have slipped away from their first love. Because of this, they do not warn the people of God of the many dangers that are lurking and being openly taught in the church world.
The Ancient of Days told His prophet Jeremiah:
“I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try (test) their way.” Jeremiah 6:27
“Like People, Like Priest”
“And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” Hosea 4:9
It appears that the influence of priest and people works both ways. Although the leaders will bear the greatest responsibility, the influence seems to work in both directions. Leaders and non-leaders within the realm of professing Christendom will be rewarded according to their adherence to the clear will of God (Hos. 4:9-11; Matt. 15:14; Prov. 29:12; Isa. 9:16, 24:1-11).
To the one who has never heard a balanced diet of God’s Word, including love, judgment, discernment and correction, the person who exposes may automatically be viewed as judgmental. Someone who exposes is seen by regular churchgoers, who have been conditioned under a soft and incomplete false gospel, as judgmental, divisive, etc. This is only because their pastors are doing NOTHING to protect them from the MANY deceptions that abound in the church world. This is sad. Who is really at fault?
According to the biblical record, the defense of the faith should be a regular part of New Testament Christianity. Paul stated:
“I am set for the defence of the gospel.” Philippians 1:17
Or, perhaps they have heard some who “expose” and realize that they themselves (the exposers) are needing to expose their own self-righteous, pride-filled Pharisaical hearts before seeking to get the speck out of another’s eye (Matt. 7:1-6). Nonetheless, the defense of the faith is a biblical, essential, and regular part of New Testament Christianity, which all believers should be as actively engaged in as Paul was.
Due to his ceaseless intercessory praying for the LORD’s people, James, the brother of our LORD and human author of the book of James, was called “The Just” and “The safeguard of the people.” As a martyr, James died at the hands of antichrist religious zealots, but not before he set the example of diligently seeking to protect God’s flock as every servant-leader is called to do – to be “set for the defence of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:17)
Paul Marked Alexander the Coppersmith
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” 2 Timothy 4:14-16
Paul told the brethren to “be thou ware” of “Alexander the coppersmith” who “did me much evil.” Note here that the apostle Paul warned these believers to beware of someone he named and who had done him “much evil.” Today when someone dares to do as Paul did in this instance, they are accused of being “judgmental.” Instead, we tolerate what God never intended us to. Paul marked several men by name in his two letters to Timothy alone.
The apostle warned the believers of those who worked against the true work of the Gospel.
Beloved, you may be being tempted in your thinking to pander to the sinful nature of men, instead of leading them to the Fountain of Living Waters by showing them, by divine strength, grace and Word, their need to understand what He stated. Now is the time to submit all to the LORD and to accept that we are called to suffer as He did (Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 4:1, 2, 12). We are not our own, but bought with the very price of His blood and should be willing to say with Christ, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Lk. 22:42)
Our own will must be laid down and His given total reign. This is what He has called us to beloved.
- “It is not a difficult matter to learn what it means to delight ourselves in the LORD. It is to live so as to please Him, to honor everything we find in His Word, to do everything the way He would like to have it done, and for Him.” ~ S. Maxwell Coder
Defending the faith is a standard and vital part of the Christian life. The faith must be defended by its adherents. We must die to self-isms and obey the One we claim to serve.
Friend, when you create your own Universe, you can then decide what the rules are, but until then, those who claim to know Christ are to submit our lives to Him fully and simply follow His clear directions.
We must mature and realize that exposing false teaching and teachers has always been and will always be an integral, essential and regular occupation of New Testament Christianity and the responsibility of Christ’s disciples of all ages.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please strengthen my heart with the might of Your Holy Spirit. LORD Jesus You must increase in my life and I decrease. Please break me and make me LORD and cause me to wisely discern while walking in the Spirit. May I be dead to the self life and reputation and fully obedient to walk in Your eternal truth, including being ready to answer your call to expose those doctrines which are contrary to Your holy Word. Lead me my LORD Jesus and allow this to be done in Your love. Please protect Your people Jesus and turn men’s hearts back to Yourself. Bless Your body to see and live in Your Spirit and holy, eternal truth. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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