“Beware of Wolves” Part 2
Observing Deception
Teachers of the Word
are responsible for refuting false teachers and correcting false doctrine. However, it is never the teacher’s duty to
force an individual to accept the message that is being taught. Their job is to simply teach the truth and
allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
Once truth has been taught, the Holy Spirit then becomes responsible for
bringing conviction to an individual to help them to accept the truth that they
have heard. If the individual is
receptive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they will, in time, accept the
truth.
People do not easily
relinquish beliefs that they have held for long periods of time because when we BELIEVE that something is true, that belief becomes a part of
our identity. As a result of that belief
becoming a part of our identity, any data that conflicts with it becomes an
attack on who WE are rather than correction to our FLAWED thinking. It has been said that disproving a
misconception can actually STRENGTHEN a person’s belief in that misconception. The truth will NOT always change a person’s
mind.
One of the easiest
ways for a false teacher to deceive people is for them to identify with the
audience. In many cases, social issues
such as financial disparity, racial, or gender inequality have caused us to
lower our guard against unsuitable instruction.
When we are presented with social struggles that have personally
affected us, we are open to accept solutions that God would not approve
of. But when we review what the Bible
has to say, we see that we are instructed in Matthew 6:33 to seek God’s way
FIRST. Also, in Luke 9:23, Jesus makes
it clear that in order for us to belong to Him, we must first DENY
ourselves. Failure to deny themselves
has caused some to bring beliefs into the Church that may represent society’s
response to a situation, while conflicting with the way God would want us to
address a matter. When we do not deny ourselves,
it becomes easier for us to gravitate toward false doctrine if that teaching appeals to a
situation that we identify with.
First Peter 5:8 warns
us to “Be of sober spirit, be on the
alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls
around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” It can be difficult to spot a threat when we
are emotionally charged or distracted.
As we become more familiar with what the Bible ACTUALLY says, rather
than what people SAY that it says, we can limit the amount of deception that we
become susceptible to. “Be diligent to present yourself to God as a
workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of
truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
