If the ‘church’ proclaims, much like Martin Luther some 500 years ago, that they are committed to ‘Sola Scriptura’, then how can they disobey Jehovah’s clear commands? While proclaiming and defending their fidelity to Jehovah’s Word, they simply dance around subjects, traditions of men, and doctrines of demons, as they tell people what they want to hear and deny them the truth they need to hear.
While this may seem too harsh and judgmental, even Paul called out false teachers and false teachings. While I will never claim to have the knowledge or authority of Paul, I strive to live to the standards he set forth to all teachers.
First, what did he instruct others to do?
1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 1:4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
What is Paul telling Timothy and us? It appears that the false teachers that plagued Paul throughout his ministry and travels are now in the very ‘churches’ he had started. They are teaching strange doctrines!
That is doctrines that are not true, doctrines that have been changed or modified from what Paul taught, and are thereby false. They also add myths, false historical context and details, which give rise to speculation or questions and challenges which divide the ‘church’. It is another gospel.
1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1:6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 1:7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
Have you ever listened to someone who spoke eloquently on a subject which you knew was being inaccurately presented? There are people who are enamored with the many words, eloquent statements, and false historical context in which false teachers excel.
1:8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
1:9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 1:10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 1:11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
Once again Paul brings it all back to God’s Law and the need to truly understand it and obey it. Those who change and challenge His Law, fall under the condemnation and curse of the Law, which is death, eternal death.
2 Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Here we read Paul’s second letter to his beloved son in the faith. Paul tells him what not to do and what to do. There are words, conversations, and disagreements that can be damaging if left to themselves.
It takes perseverance, dedication, diligence, and study to be able to accurately and consistently handle the word of truth. It is a very sacred, holy, divine calling on a few, not on anyone who wants to get back on their ‘natural’ abilities to hold an audience’s attention and devotion.
2:16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 2Ti 2:17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 2:18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
Here we have Paul calling out and condemning two men. Many would never want to speak ill of anyone self-proclaimed teacher of God’s Word, but is that what God allows or desires? By not offending men, we often don’t even think about how we may be offending God.
These men Paul is referring to are not the last to be singled out. The problem is far worse today than in Paul’s day.
More next Saturday.