The Danger of Bad Teaching

Image result for God's Word

1 Timothy 6:2These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

Paul is always concerned about good teaching.  Why? Because bad teaching can lead people away from Christ.  Bad teaching can be a slippery slope for either legalism or cheap grace.  Legalism is teaching that leads people back to trying to measure up to the law. It never works.  The law doesn't change anyone. Cheap grace is when you are taught you are forgiven so you can do whatever you want and then just ask forgiveness.  It is trading on the grace of God.  Either end of this spectrum of error is equally bad.  

Since the early church did not have the New Testament, Jesus' teaching was uplifted above all teaching as the ultimate source of truth.  Paul frequently said he would never teach anything that wasn't built on the foundation of Jesus and the apostles.  This was the gospel of grace that brought him such sweet relief, he never wanted anyone to dilute its power.  
Paul warned Timothy against the argumentative heretic, who has left the word of God to promote his own ideas – who does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. He warned Timothy against those who seemed to treat the Word of God more as a plaything instead of as a precious gift. (Guzik) 
Jesus' teaching was for the most part very straightforward.  There weren't a lot of hidden messages.  His life, his teaching, and his works all showed God's will.  It is tempting to get into lots of debates about things that in the end don't make any difference in a life of faith.  Dallas Willard has said that many modern day Christians are "educated beyond their obedience."  

As Paul says, "Knowledge can lead to pride.  Knowledge puffs up but love builds up." 1 Corinthians 8 Good churches teach their people the Word of God, which is centered on Jesus' life, death and resurrection.  God's Word leads us to Christ and as we receive Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.  Without the Holy Spirit God's word is meaningless to us.  But with the Holy Spirit it becomes alive and powerful.  God's Word is, "Sharper than any double edged knife it cuts through bone and marrow and judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12  

Paul tells Timothy to teach and insist on these things.  We should do no less today in our church!  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 22 - Paul Sees the Light

Image
6  “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.   7  I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me,  ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’  8  “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.  “  ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,  whom you are persecuting,’  he replied.   9  My companions saw the light,  but they did not understand the voice  of him who was speaking to me.  10  “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “  ‘Get up,’  the Lord said,  ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do. This is the famous story of the apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus.  Paul was going there to persecute Jewish Christians and throw them into prison and he meets Jesus is a spectacular way.  Not only is he blinded by a briliant light, but he hears the Lord's voice audibly.  And the Lord asks him, "Lord, Lord why are you persecuting me!"  Paul thought he was serving the Lord, but he was persecuting him b
Read more

Hebrews 6 - Have You Graduated From Elementary School of Faith Yet?

Click Here to Read or Listen to Hebrews 6 6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. The author once again picks up with the theme of moving on to Christian maturity.  He teaches them to move on from the "elementary" teachings about Christ. What does he mean by that?  He gives clues by citing repentance, faith, cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, and teaching on the judgment and resurrection from the dead. We might call these the basics of the Christian faith. If you read through the Apostle's Creed, which our church confesses in our 8am service, it contains many of these core doctrines.  Click here to see the Apostle's Creed Written Around “When we consider the
Read more

2 Timothy 4 - Fight the Good Fight! Finish the Race!

Click Here to Read or Listen to 2 Timothy 4 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. Paul gives a closing charge to Timothy. First of all, he is to preach the word. God's Word speaks to all situations and seasons. The Word of God will sometimes correct us. Our lives can get of out alignment with God's will as outlined in
Read more