FALSE TEACHING ISN’T A VICTIMLESS CRIME

By Akin Ojumu

Why do the vast majority of church folks have such a nonchalant attitude towards false teachers? How is it that supposed followers of Christ exhibit unrestrained umbrage for the critics of false teachers while adamantly defending the integrity and reputation of the perpetrators of false teachings?

Well, when you really think about it, you’ll find that the answer to these questions is not all that far-fetched. Church folks get peeved with people who call out false teachers because they are of the view that the peddling of false teachings is a victimless crime. In the minds of these people, erroneous teachings harm no one.

Their nonchalance about false teachings and the righteous indignation poured out on the critics of the twisters and distorters of the Gospel stem from their no harm, no foul sentiment about erroneous doctrines. This tolerance for error is deeply rooted in ignorance.

To think that the perpetration of false teachings is innocuous is a lie straight from the pit of hell. False teachings do great harm, and false teachers wreak incalculable havoc to the souls of men. And it’s for this very reason that both the peddlers and the consumers of aberrant doctrines are considered damned in the eyes of the Almighty God.

If you think this is me taking things too far, you probably haven’t read what the Bible says about those who distort the Gospel.

1) Trapped in utter darkness

Isaiah 8:20

“To the Teaching and to the Testimony! If they will not speak according to this Word, it is because they have no dawn.”

2) Enslaved by ignorance

John 8:31-32

“If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

3) Ferocious bloodthirsty wolves

Acts 20:28-30

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

4) Anathema, i.e., accursed or damned

Galatians 1:6-9

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different Gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a Gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a Gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

5) Better to be castrated and mutilated

Galatians 5:12

“I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!”

6) Self-inflicted swift destruction

2 Peter 2:12

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”

7) Waterless clouds doomed for the gloom of utter darkness

2 Peter 2:17

“These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.”

8) Forfeit eternal security

2 Peter 3:17

“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.”

9) Partakers of the divine plagues

Revelations 22:18-19

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

Now that you know the egregious harm that false teachings do and the severe penalty awaiting false teachers and their followers, it behooves you to mark and avoid all peddlers of aberrant Gospel.

Romans 16:17

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”

A word, they say, is enough for the wise.