From GATHERING THE FAITHFUL REMNANT available in paperback, on audio and video from CWM Australia.
“But there were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who stealthily bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their destructive ways; by reason of whom evil shall be spoken of the way of truth. And through covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words whose long time judgment does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved to judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those that came after should live ungodly...”
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2 Peter 2:1-6
THE Apostle Peter is conscious of his approaching departure, and writes to those whom he has described as the “elect” (1 Peter 1:2), concerned for them as he seeks to prepare them for the future. His purpose was to strengthen them in view of the dangers that threatened the church from within. His first words were a reminder of the great principles of preservation. He assures them who are “of like precious faith” that all things pertaining to life and godliness are granted through the knowledge of Him who called them by His glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3). Believers are called to earnest discipline in the development of their spiritual life.
But then he turns to the perils that he saw as a threat to the church, and two are referred to: (i) false teachers, and (ii) a materialisation of mind that follows on from such false teaching. He describes the false teaching as “destructive heresies”. In an hour when we are seeing such an escalation of heresies plaguing the church it is time that God’s servants and the people recognise what Peter teaches here, that false teaching leads to false conduct. The idea is father of the deed. To excuse false teaching is sheer and careless irresponsibility, and leaders who do so stand condemned before God as unfaithful shepherds. They dishonour the Chief Shepherd, and have little loving respect or true concern for the flocks they have been appointed over. It is a violation of their sacred trust. Peter emphasises this charge in his first letter:
“I exhort the elders which are among you, I who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for dishonest gain, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you will receive a crown of glory that does not fade away.”
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1 Peter 5:1-4
The office of the pastor is twofold: to attend or feed the flock, and to maintain a watchful oversight. They are not there to fulfil their own agendas, and certainly not to “fleece” the people. These things characterize the hireling. Whilst the overseers had a right to expect material support from those to whom they ministered in spiritual things, their motive should never be from a “constitutional love of gain” which is “a disqualification for the Christian ministry”.
*1
There is no place for self-exaltation here, or for any arrogant domination of God’s people. They are to serve them humbly in Christ’s name, solely for Christ’s sake, and ever with Christ’s loving and sacrificial disposition. They must serve with an eye to the Day of accountability when they shall stand before the Chief Shepherd.
The shepherd’s duty might well be described as threefold: (a) to provide pasture; (b) to prepare paths to the pasture; and (c) to provide protection along the way. Whilst a heavy load of responsibility will be upon the pastor to teach and preach, his ministry is not restricted to those vital elements. He is to WATCH the flock. He is to GUARD the flock. He is to GUIDE the flock in glad and implicit obedience to their Lord’s sovereign will. The people do not exist for his pleasure but for that of their Lord and Master. How pastors should be motivated by these two truths: it is the flock of God, His peculiar property; it is God’s heritage, see Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:11- 14,31, John 10:27-29.
How well the old Scottish puritan preacher, John Brown, describes the attitude of the true pastor and the sense of immense privilege to be called to such a high office, as he inquires:
“Should we not count it a great honour, and feel it a most responsible trust, to have those who stand in so close a relation to God, in whom He takes so peculiar an interest, committed to our care? Should we not care for those for whom He cares? Should we not watch for those for whom His Son died?”
*2
What are the perils Peter warns about?
1. The Presence of False Teachers.
Peter is categorical about this. “There SHALL BE false teachers among you”. As in former days there were false prophets, so we are warned to be ever alert to their activity in the present-day church. There is need to be able to discern such bogus men, impostors as Jude also refers to them (Jude 4). There is great need to differentiate between the true and the false. John also warned of their presence and evil activities (1 John 2:18-25). Leaders appear to be too blasé about them, as though such men could not affect THEM and their people! They fail to see what great damage they can cause, thus fail in the matter of watchfulness. Peter tells of their reality and coming so that God’s people might be on their guard, taking heed, watching and praying so that they might not be drawn away to such men.
2. The Deviousness of their Activities
“...false prophets...who secretly bring in destructive heresies”. That is, secretly, like a traitor in the camp, bringing into the church teachings that are erroneous and will inevitably harm those who embrace them. These men prey (not pray!) on existing congregations for adherents. They are always subtle in the way they get among the flock, as well as the way in which they gain a hearing for their heresies. They don’t advertise themselves as false, nor do they suggest that their teachings may not be acceptable. On the contrary, they appeal for an acceptance of their integrity and the soundness of what they teach. In fact, they often warn those who have doubts about them and their message that they can come to great harm by God’s judgment should they question and reject them. They cannot stand the criticism of being put to scriptural test, and often label that as “touching God’s anointed”. Nothing is more reprehensible. Men who use such threatening language condemn themselves and manifest their own dishonesty and spiritual poverty.
But they will come protesting they are bringing the true Gospel, and will be very plausible in how they present their views. Subtlety marks their approach, their appeal, and their aims. It is the most perilous aspect of error when it parades itself as the truest truth, using its language and professing to be at one with it! J.C. Ryle recognised that as pastor of the flock of God he had a responsibility to guard Christ’s sheep and to warn them whenever he saw approaching dangers. Though ministering in England over a century ago, his writings deal with permanently relevant topics. You would think that he was present among us and addressing the serious inroad of heresies in our day. His compendium of papers, entitled Warnings to the Churches, ought to be read and re-read prayerfully and carefully by every minister of Christ. They form a truly prophetic message for all generations. In one of the articles he penetratingly comments:
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It was the vision of people coming into a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and then growing in the grace and knowledge of Him. |
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“There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly, lovingly, and earnestly, and a determination to forget that Satan is often ‘transformed into an angel of light’ (2 Corinthians 11:14). There is a widespread ‘gullibility’ among professing Christians: every heretic who tells his story plausibly is sure to be believed, and everybody who doubts him is called a persecutor and a narrow-minded man. All these are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing man to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, ‘Be not carried about’.”
*3
False teachers are devious, and are sure to attract a crowd. But it must never be assumed that the popularity of such men and of their teachings makes them right. And one of the saddest statements in support of some of the current false prophets and their teachings is, “Well, our leaders accept him (and it)... They are good men, and surely they can’t all be wrong...” The fact is, good men CAN be wrong. And the majority CAN be wrong, see 2 Chronicles 18:3-8. It did not seem that Micaiah stood a chance against the word of Ahab’s four hundred prophets, but they were WRONG. This makes it all the more crucial that every one of us should be watchful of such false men and their poisonous teachings, especially those called to be “watchmen”. With reference to Ahab, note the “check” in Jehoshaphat’s spirit, doubting the prophets’ consensus, and requesting that another prophet be sought – a true prophetic voice (c/f verse 6). Don’t ignore that “check” (Jeremiah 6:17)! If the people are not quickly discerning, the watchmen ought to be, so that when they perceive such false men in the midst they have a duty to “sound an alarm”. It appears that one of the reasons for the lack of discernment in the church today is the reluctance to take a definitive stand on any issue. It does not seem to be appreciated that men can hold strong convictions, even though such have evident biblical support. One is supposed to be tolerant, and hold his own beliefs with as much slack as possible. Zeal for the truth has become politically incorrect; dogmatism is impermissible.
3. The Evil Nature of False Doctrine
Peter refers to the false teachings as “
DAMNABLE heresies (KJV) ”. That’s very strong language, but it faithfully describes such teachings. It is foolishness for pastors to play down the nature and consequence of false teachings. The Greek word apoleia is then translated “pernicious” in verse 2. The word is presumably from apollumi meaning to destroy fully; to utterly ruin.
*4 Such teachings do not end in spiritual gain and maturity and sanctity, but in total spiritual loss. Thayer defines this word as meaning, “to put out of the way entirely; to abolish, put an end to”.
*5
How solemn this is. Damnable heresies lead to damnable ways. You can see why false doctrine is a prime tool of the devil in his endeavour to create division and prevent an effective proclamation of the true Gospel, teachings that are the enemy of all righteousness and true holiness. Error may well be attractive but it can never address the vital issues that make for salvation and sanctification. One of the deceptions associated with modern heresies is the claim that there is “good fruit” associated with them. This is a contradiction of Scripture, and in the ultimate those who promote and those who trust these errors will prove to have been utterly deluded and spiritually desolate. 4. The Essence of the False Teachings Peter refers to There are two elements to these teachings, which the apostle alludes to: (i) “even denying the Lord that bought them”. The false prophet, of course, is more subtle than to come out with a clear and forthright denial of fundamental truth having to do with the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather, his teaching avoids the centrality of Christ and the absolute necessity of His cross work. He is taken with other pleasant and appealing themes — and there are many of them today, including the “prosperity gospel”, the “good self-image” message, the “we are gods” teaching, the humanistic “needcentred gospel”. They are all pleasant messages, always “comforting”, to make people feel good. The false prophet speaks “smooth things” which the people love to hear (Jeremiah 5:31). Such a “prophet” is going to be dishonest, for he professes to be a servant of the Most High but in reality serves the enemy – and “his own belly” (Romans 16:18). He will even append his signature in token of subscribing to the fellowship’s statement of faith; yet in reality he teaches doctrines that are in conflict with it. There is an appalling lack of integrity with leaders.
Isaiah said it is a rebellious people who clamour for this kind of preaching and teaching. They say, “Do not prophesy to us right things, speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits...” (Isaiah 30:10). It seems hardly credible that people should prefer error to truth. It is surprising how people ardently defend false teaching even when they are shown how wrong they are from the scriptures, teaching that leads them away from Christ not to Him. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones said,
“Whatever teaching a man may have to offer to you, if the Christ on Calvary’s Cross is not the central pivot at the heart of it, I say he is a false prophet and a false teacher. And no one can give hope, either to the individual or to the world today, who is not centred absolutely upon that atonement. He is a false prophet and teacher”.
*6
Peter then mentions something else about the false teachers. With them, he says, (ii) “evil shall be spoken of the way of truth”. Is not this an astonishing statement? False teachers purport to be teaching the people “the way of truth”. This refers to the true Gospel, which is the doctrine of saving truth. Peter reveals that the teaching of these false men is not sound saving faith but a travesty of it, a blasphemous imitation. It’s the devil spreading his perverse lies in the church. He even attaches scripture passages to his lies, so as to beguile unwary souls. He disguises falsehood as truth and makes evil look good. Did he not use this ploy in the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (see Matthew 4:6)? But Jesus saw through his deceptive stratagem, and answered him by the Truth of God’s Word. That is the only way to combat error — by knowing and using the Truth. The best safeguard against false doctrine is the Bible, to read it regularly, pray over it, imbibe its revelation through the Holy Spirit, study it and get a firm grasp on its doctrines.
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If the Christ on Calvary’s Cross is not the central pivot at the heart of it ... he is a false prophet and a false teacher. |
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The tragedy is that so many people in our churches are biblically illiterate. They have only a superficial knowledge of the scriptures at best, and so become easy prey to these marauding wolves, these religious predators. They are open to receive such satanic deceptions, duped by teachings they refuse to question because they “love to have it so”. Matthew Henry says, “Men drink in iniquity like water, and are pleased to live in error”.
*7
Incredible! “A Bible-reading laity is the strength of a church”, said J.C. Ryle.
*8 He further said,
“If we would not be carried about by ‘diverse and strange doctrines,’ we must remember the word of our Lord Jesus Christ: ‘Search the Scriptures’. Ignorance of the Bible is the root of all error. Knowledge of the Bible is the best antidote against modern heresies.” *9
Without any doubt, when biblical and doctrinal understanding decline, real discernment becomes impossible.
But something further is prompted to our attention by these words of Peter. “The way of truth is evil spoken of” by the world around, as they see the falsity of these men. They see their motivation as one that is driven by financial gain, and thus are ready to speak out against the gospel – the kind of gospel as is represented by the false teachers. Peter confirms that these false men are motivated by covetousness (verse 3) and are engaged in “making merchandise of God’s people”. Is not this incredible, that whilst in the church there are those who are swayed by these charlatans, the world looks on and sees through them! They bring the Gospel into disrepute. Sadly, people are turned against the gospel by the evil of these hypocritical preachers. Many men and women are harder to reach with the true gospel afterwards when they have been put off by such “false gospellers”.
5. False Prophets will always have a following
This is their desire, and must be seen as part of this wrong motivation – “many shall follow their destructive ways”. This is part of their “gain”, to draw disciples after them (c/f Acts 20:30). That renowned Scottish preacher, Rober t Murray M’Cheyne, wrote in his diary:
“I see a man cannot be a faithful minister, until he preaches Christ for Christ’s sake – until he gives up striving to attract people to himself, and seeks only to attract them to Christ. Lord, give me this!” *10
O, to learn this, and learn it well. How often we have pondered how that good men have found it a hard struggle to gain the attention of people to their sound teaching, yet some charlatan emerges and draws away the big crowds after him. Their success is sometimes seen by some to validate them, but this is a fallacy. Jesus Himself found that whilst He performed His miracles, and people were materially and physically benefiting from His ministry, there were always crowds in attendance. Once He came to solidly teach them, with the revelation of Himself as to WHO He was, and WHAT His mission on earth was from the Father, the crowd dissipated until He was left with “the Twelve” (John 6:66- 69). He not only experienced that, but He clearly exhorts us to,
“Enter in at the narrow gate: for the gate is wide, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there are that go in through it; because narrow is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leads to life, and there are few that find it.”
—
Matthew 7:13-14
And in a most striking connection Jesus follows on in His teaching to speak a word of warning in respect of FALSE PROPHETS who present themselves in
“sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are rapacious wolves” (verses 15-23). Theirs is truly a “broad way” and MANY flock therein. It is dangerous to follow the fashion and swim with the stream of those whose personalities are appealing and whose teachings are popular and commonly agreeable. Admitted this is NOT an easy thing to stand out as being different from the majority when they are being carried away by these men. It’s not easy to go against the flow. But this is what we must do if we are to be preserved from error and destruction.
Let us not forget that the doctrines of repentance and faith in Christ alone, and of holiness of life as a divine requirement, have never been fashionable. All teachings must be weighed in the balance of Holy Scripture (Isaiah 8:20). The Word of God is given to us to be a
“lamp to our feet, and a light to our path” Psalm 119:105. The more we are in it, seeking the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the less we will err from the way of truth. The less we know the Word the more we will lean upon others for their “opinions” and be
“carried away with diverse and strange doctrines”. It is not humility to pretend we have no settled convictions on biblical and doctrinal matters, thus prepared to receive from others an understanding of spiritual things. This is dangerous, and it is such indifference and slothfulness that is fertile ground for false men to gain followers.
False teachers not only have a following because of the kind of ministry they offer, but also the manner in which it is presented. It is smooth, subtle, and charming! How many of the modern attitudes and procedures in worship services are utterly irreverent. Church is said to be fun, to the point that men indulge in blasphemous conduct and conversation. It seems that the way to win people is by humour, jokes, antics, and all manner of freakish behaviour. Their words never gender any awe of God, but the very opposite. It is sad to hear people say how much they “love” certain preachers – because “they are funny”. It is really an irreverent attitude to truth and a gross lack of
“the fear of the Lord”.
That is why Peter further describes these false teachers, in verse 10: “...they walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. They are presumptuous, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries”.
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False men are out for financial gain ... get away from Christ and you become self-centred, self-interested, self-promoting and self-indulgent. |
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6. False Prophets are motivated by desire for self-gain
Verse 3 – “And through covetousness they shall exploit you with deceptive words”. These false men are not just out for a “following” but for “financial gain”. When you get away from a Christ-centred life and ministry, when you give no heed to His Lordship, you become self-centred, self-interested, self-promoting, and selfindulgent. Peter saw such men in his day as we see them in our day as living in luxury. The word “covetousness”, Gk. pleonexia implies “a greedy desire to have more”. It is an avaricious spirit. A.T. Robertson commented, “These licentious Gnostics made money out of their dupes”.
*11
That is so prevalent in our times. Every service in many churches and conferences has an emphasis on money. Much time is spent before receiving offerings on “encouraging” the people to give, using scriptures (often out of their context) to enforce the plea for generosity.
Peter says the false prophets do this with “FEIGNED words”, (Gk. plastois logois). This is the only place in the New Testament where this word is found, and is from a word meaning “to mould, as in clay or wax”. M.R. Vincent says that the idea is “of words moulded at will to suit their imaginations”.
*12 It is evident that these men are as those whom Paul describes in 2 Timothy 3, who will arise “in the last days” (verse 1). He says of them: “But evil men and impostors shall grow worse and worse, DECEIVING, and being DECEIVED” (verse 13). That is truly an apt description of them.
First,
they are said to be “EVIL men”. The word is poneros, which refers to these men as being of essentially depraved character, malicious in their activity, such that causes harm. It is the word used by Jesus to describe Satan in the parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:19), a “wicked one” who comes and by force catches away the seed sown into the heart.
Second,
Paul calls them by their correct name, “impostors”. This is a very revealing and significant term. The word is goes, which denotes a wailer, and has the idea of the howl in which spells were chanted; hence a wizard, sorcerer, or enchanter – a cheat! Paul earlier (verse 8) refers to them as being like Jannes and Jambres, magicians of the court of Pharaoh who resisted Moses. Jewish tradition holds that they pretended to convert to Judaism in order to subvert the Divine mission Moses was engaged in to liberate the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, and that they were involved in the making and worshipping of the golden calf whilst Moses was in the Mount communing with God. The tradition further says that they were slaughtered by the Levites along with other idolaters (see Exodus 32). This is a feasible representation in the context of Paul’s warning to Timothy.
Reference to such impostors is also to warn of men performing supernatural feats. Jannes and Jambres professed to perform signs and wonders. The supposed incidence of supernatural acts in certain meetings does not authenticate the “miracle-worker” as being of God. Note again Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21-23. We are not to take such men at face value, accept their revelations, and be drawn in to send them our generous offerings! Jesus went on to say,
“Therefore (that now links the following words of Jesus to what has just preceded in His qualifying remarks about false prophets), whoever hears these saying of Mine, and does them (believingly and obediently acts upon them), I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon a rock...and it did not fall” verses 24-25. We must be discerning of these fraudulent men. We must put them and their teachings to test, as outlined in the scriptures.
*13 Jesus said it is utter folly to ignore this warning.
Third,
it reveals that there is something wilful about the deceptions of these false prophets as they pervert the Word of God. They know what they are doing, for their malignant activity arises from their covetous heart. And it leads to those very men themselves becoming ensnared by their own devices, hence being deceived and proceeding from bad to worse. It is as though God gives them over to that in which they have deceived others. They are only concerned for what they can derive for themselves out of their “ministry”. So they invent all kinds of plausible teachings, ideas that arise from their imagination NOT revelation of the truth of God’s Word. When one attention grabber has done its round and is losing its effectiveness, then they spawn some other fascinating contrivance to maintain the interest and support of those whom they have duped. It might well be termed “a new revelation” but it is merely “feigned words”. These are charlatans and swindlers who are said by Paul to be
“men of corrupt minds, worthless concerning the faith” 2 Timothy 3:8.
Furthermore,
Peter reveals that in their covetousness and by such cunning fabrications, these fakes “seek to make merchandise (emporeusontai) of you”. It is exploitation of the worse kind, for it is done to simple-hearted, unwary souls in the name of Christ. Our Lord condemned it in the Temple, using the same term as Peter: “He said to them that sold doves, Take these things hence: make not My Father’s house a house of merchandise (emporiou)” (John 2:16) .
*14 The word is that from which we derive our word ‘emporium’, which is a centre of commerce, a market! God’s house had become like a market place. And who does not observe this today, with professed servants of God becoming no more than entrepreneurs as they seek for more and more wealth. They have
“forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam...who loved the wages of unrighteousness” 2 Peter 2:15.
They are the “shepherds” spoken of in Ezekiel 34, against whom came the prophet with severe words of denunciation from God. Such so-called shepherds fail to fulfil the responsibility to care for God’s people in strengthening the diseased, ministering to the sick, binding up the broken, recovering the backslidden, and seeking the lost. Rather, God says,
With force and with cruelty you have ruled them; (verse 4) – little wonder they are scattered (verses 5-6)! Then comes this fearful indictment:
The shepherds fed themselves, and not My flock” (verse 8). God says He will step in and remove those false shepherds, and one day bring them to account.
“I will require My flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds FEED THEMSELVES any more; for I will deliver My flock FROM THEIR MOUTH, that they may not be food for them” (
verse 10).
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The seeds of self-destruction are in the activities of false prophets ... they appear smart, but they are fools. |
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Is not this precisely what Peter is warning about? Ought not this to make us as ministers of Christ tremble in the presence of infinite holiness? Dare we take advantage of those over whom we serve as pastors, overseers or elders? Don’t we exist for the benefit of His flock, for THEIR advantage, so that they may know God, learn to fear Him, and be built up strong upon “their most holy faith, (being) kept in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” (Jude 20- 21)? O, to emulate the disposition of Paul, jealous to see God’s people retaining their purity of relationship to Christ and growing in the Truth as it is centred in Him, preserved from false men and anchored in the saving Gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:1- 15).
7. False Teachers are Doomed to Swift Destruction
As soon as Peter begins to warn of the activity of false prophets he tells of their speedy demise. Verse 1 – “(they) bring upon themselves swift destruction”. This is a solemn word. Peter says that the seeds of self-destruction are in the activities of false prophets. They bring this upon themselves. They appear smart, but they are fools. Those who destroyed others by their pernicious doctrines will themselves be destroyed, and come to a sudden and fearful end. Sometimes it seems that they cannot be stopped. They appear to prosper and continue without hindrance. We may wonder why it is that God allows them to continue their evil work! Yet the scripture says that they “bring upon themselves SWIFT destruction”. The word tacinh’n (tachinen) infers that the judicial act of God in respect of these men is impending and will be executed “in a brief space of time”.
*15 It is the same sense in Revelation 1:1, speaking of
“things which must SHORTLY come to pass” — what takes place will be with rapid succession.
Again Peter says of them (verse 3),
“Whose long time judgment does not linger, and their destruction does not slumber”. Whilst God is “slow to wrath” it does not mean that He will not exercise justice in respect of these men. There is a moment for their exposure, and when it occurs their demise is sudden and swift. He will surely come to them, and woe to them when He does come! Peter illustrates this necessary act of Divine justice by referring to three biblical incidents where God had no alternative – (i) that of the judgment of God on sinning angels who rebelled with Lucifer; (ii) the people of the ancient world, who refused the gracious warnings of God to turn from their unrighteousness, destroyed by God in the flood in the days of Noah; and (iii) the catastrophic judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of Lot, for their unrestrained shamelessness and immoral abandonment.
The end of false teachers is a statement of prophecy — they will be judged. There is no escape, and it will come suddenly upon them. All of God’s judicial acts do not wait for the ultimate universal tribunal. He strikes when He wills. And sadly, it is not only these fraudulent men, but also those who have carelessly yielded to their influences and embraced their pernicious doctrines — they too are bound for judgment. Jesus warned that when the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch (Matthew 15:14).
What a day we are living in! How faithful God is in His warnings to us, and they are such as make us inexcusable. As God’s servants we need to watch over His flock carefully, tending to them as true shepherds. Let us resist the temptation to conform to other men, churches, or denominations so as to be acceptable, or to tolerate false doctrines even among our “brethren” for the sake of peace. Our preaching must ever be for truth’s sake, and to bring honour to Christ. It may not be without its personal cost, but ultimately we do not answer to men but to the “Chief Shepherd and Overseer of our souls” (1 Peter 2:25; Hebrews 13:17; c/f Galatians 1:10 and 1 Thessalonians 2:4).
Warren W. Wiersbe, in paying tribute to the late Dr A.W. Tozer, in the Introduction to The Best of Tozer, a compilation of essays edited by Wiersbe, said of him:
“The entire focus of his preaching and writing was on God. He had no time for religious hucksters who were inventing new ways to promote their wares and inflate their statistics...Tozer marched to a different drummer; and for this reason he was usually out of step with many of the people in the religious parade”. *16
Compromise is a fearful sin. Paul predicted in his letter to Timothy, “the time will come when God’s people will not endure sound doctrine”. This surely means a change of mind and attitude taking place, as a people once ready to hear the Word and to apply it now do not “endure” it. It implies a “falling away”. The word “endure” is (Gk) anechomai, meaning, “to hold oneself up against”. THAT is the truest attitude towards the preached Word. Alas, today we are witnesses of such a change of mind towards the Word of God, as many people no longer listen intently to sound teaching and “with meekness receive the implanted Word”.
*17 They will not hold themselves up against the preached Word, allowing it to address their heart’s need. They do not desire to hear the Truth preached that brings conviction and a stinging rebuke of ungodly behaviour. There is no concern for the spiritual well being of their souls.
Paul says that these people have “itching ears”, desirous of hearing only stories, or wanting to be entertained. They are readily taken up with the latest novel ideas. Thus would they “heap up for themselves teachers” who would readily respond to their wants, as they turn away from the Truth to fables (myths). Vincent refers to Paul’s statement as “vigorous and graphic”, commenting on the fact that “in periods of unsettled faith, scepticism, and more curious speculation in matter of religion, teachers of all kinds swarm like the flies in Egypt. The demand creates the supply. The hearers invite and shape their own preachers. If the people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found.”
*18
Why would people be of that mind? Why knowingly despise and reject the Truth? It seems evident that it is because they love their sin. Divine truth confronts and rebukes all forms of sin, and preachers who are faithful to the Divine charge to “preach the Word” will not shun confronting what is wrong and proclaiming what is right, as God has revealed it in His Word. That is never comfortable. That preacher is never popular. But what does it matter in the light of that Throne before which we shall stand to give an account?
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Divine truth confronts and rebukes all forms of sin ... confronting what is wrong and proclaiming what is right, as God has revealed it in His Word. |
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When as a faithful pastor M’Cheyne was going to confront a lady about her spiritual condition, that was a cause of concern to him, he knew it would not be easy. In one of his letters he wrote:
“M.G. lies sore upon my conscience; I did no good to that woman: she always managed to speak of things about the truth. Speak boldly. What matter in eternity the slight awkwardness of time?” *19
In the light of Peter’s warning let us as ministers of Christ strive to be faithful to Him who has called us, not seeking man’s approbation or any human glory. Let us ensure that we serve the Master in truth, careful and prayerful in respect of our holy and divine stewardship. As Paul says to Timothy:
“...nourished with the words of faith and of good teaching...Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to teaching...Meditate upon these things: give yourself wholly to them; that your progress may be evident to all (i.e. in all things). Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself and those who hear you”. —
1 Timothy 4:6 & 13-16
J.C. Ryle pulled no punches in his
Warnings to the Churches. He knew it, and confessed he was (to use his own words) “trenching
*20 on delicate ground”. His forthrightness is amazing. He stands out for his passion for truth, and utter revulsion of error, for he knew its ultimate end. Many today would not appreciate his advice to those who regularly attend churches where ministers are guilty of not teaching sound doctrine. I conclude with his sobering words:
“I warn then every one who loves his soul, to be very jealous as to the preaching he regularly hears, and the place of worship he regularly attends. He who deliberately settles down under any ministry, which is positively unsound, is a very unwise man. I will never hesitate to speak my mind on this point. I know well that many think it a shocking thing for a man to forsake his parish church. I cannot see with the eyes of such people. I draw a wide distinction between teaching, which is defective and teaching, which is thoroughly false, — between teaching, which errs on the negative side, and teaching which is positively unscriptural."
But I do believe, if false doctrine is unmistakeably preached in a parish church, a parishioner who loves his soul is quite right in not going to that parish church. To hear unscriptural teaching fifty-two Sundays in every year is a serious thing. It is a continual dropping of slow poison into the mind. It is almost impossible for a man wilfully to submit himself to it, and not take harm. I see in the New Testament we are plainly told to
“prove all things,” and
“hold fast that which is good” 1 Thessalonians 5:21. I see in the Book of Proverbs that we are commanded to
“cease to hear instruction which causes to err from the paths of knowledge” Proverbs 19:27. If these words do not justify a man in ceasing to worship at a church, if positively false doctrine is preached in it, I know not what words can.
*21
NOTES:
*1 Nathaniel Williams, “Commentary on the Epistles of Peter”; Philadelphia: The American Baptist Publication Society, 1890; p. 68.
*2 John Brown, “1 Peter: Vol 2” (Geneva Series); Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, first Banner edition 1975; p.463
*3 J.C. Ryle, “Warnings to the Churches”; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, reprint 1992, p.77.
*4 See Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, under Greek lexicon references 622 and 684.
*5 Joseph Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, reprint 1977; p. 64.
*6 Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “An Exposition of 2 Peter”; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1983. p.131
*7 Matthew Henry, “Commentary on the Whole Bible”, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1991, p.2437.
*8 op cit, p.78
*9 ibid, p.79.
*10 Andrew Bonar, “Memoir and Remains of R.M.M’Cheyne”; London: Banner of Truth Trust, reprint from the 1892 edition 1966, p. 45.
*11 Quoted by Kenneth S. Wuest, “Word Studies – In These Last Days”; Grand Rapids: Wm.B.Eerdmans Publishing Co., eighth printing 1972, p.48.
*12 M.R. Vincent, “Word Studies in the New Testament:Vol I; McLean, VG: Macdonald Publishing Co., reprint, n.d.; p.690
*13 For a scriptural approach to this essential exercise, read “The Biblical Testing of Teachings and Manifestations” (copies obtainable from CWM or direct from the author, Aeron Morgan).
*14
*15
*16 16 “The Best of A.W.Tozer”; compiled by Warren W. Weirsbe, Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1978; p.7.
*17 See James 1:20-21
*18 18 op. cit. “Vincent’s Word Studies: Vol. IV”, p.320- 321.
*19 19 Op. cit. Andrew Bonar, “Memoir and Remains of R.M.M’Cheyne”; p.50
*20 Old English word meaning “encroaching”
*21 21 op cit. J.C. Ryle, “Warnings to the Churches” p.106-107.
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Appeared in Issue 27 Volume 9.2 December 2003
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3
© Copyright 2006 Christian Witness Ministries, except where noted. All rights reserved
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Monday, October 09, 2006
