Bible Reading: Nehemiah 8: Titus 3: 8-15
“A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject” -Titus 3:10 (KJV).
Heresy is highly destructive, it attacks the foundation of the Christian faith causing people to err. Heresy is wrong teaching or doctrines that contradicts the teachings of Christ. Some of them originate from demonic forces of deception, while some are human philosophies or traditions of men. Depraved minds of men could also lead to wrong interpretations of the word resulting from wrong belief systems and faulty foundation.
People possessed by evil spirits or under the influence of evil spirits can be heretic. We have seen examples both in the scriptures like the error of Balaam, who under the influence of reward and greed tried to deceive Israel. Examples like Hymenaeus and Philetus, who erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection has passed already; and thus, overthrew the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:17-18). In our contemporary world, we have heretic people with erroneous teachings that they are Christ. Some teach that once one is saved, that it does not matter how one lives that the sinful lifestyle does not affect his fellowship with God because he is saved eternally. Some heretics have thought that believers in Christ cannot die physical death because they have become immortal. Many of such teachers died and their followers waited in vain for them to rise but they never did. Their bodies and tomb became idolized by the adherents of their teachings.
The scriptures clearly and strictly warn us to avoid heretic people after the first and second warning. This warning is necessary to avoid one falling prey to their heretic teachings. The scripture warns: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world” – 1 John 4:1 (KJV).
PRAYER: Oh God help us to discern every heresy and avoid them.
Rev. Vincent Diolu