Identifying Error And Those Who Practice It

As a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there comes a time when I must warn faithful brethren of the heresies, lies, errors, and such like that exist. It is not something that is done with a feeling of great joy. Instead, there is a sense of hurt and disappointment. I would rather be able to tell of those who are courageously and eagerly serving the Lord according to His Word. News of such is a source of edification, not only to me, but to all true children of God. However, in order to help keep Christians faithful, I must expose falsehoods and their advocates. By doing such, brethren are equipped with the knowledge that will help them to avoid sin. After all, we must remember that we are commanded to“…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Without proper identification and warning, how will I avoid “the unfruitful works of darkness” and be able to “reprove them”? So, for the sake of the rest of this article, let us examine some specific warnings and instances which brethren utilized to identify error and those who practice it.

 Our first example is found in the short book of Jude. Many attribute the writing of this book to one of the half-brothers of Jesus. In the letter, Jude quickly explains that he originally had planned to write something different than he eventually did. As he put it, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Notice that Jude indicated that “it was needful” for him to change his original intent. He did not leave the brethren confused as to why. He wrote, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). Jude made sure that he addressed the problem. He knew that “the faith” had already been once and for all delivered. Also, he knew that no one should have been changing any aspect of the truth. He did what any faithful proclaimer of the Gospel should have done. He exposed the false teachers and their error. Unfortunately, if Jude were alive today, there might be some in the kingdom who would try to dissuade him from writing about such people and problems. I have been told that “honey attracts more flies”. In other words, you might get more people to come to services if you speak “sweet” things instead of mentioning the error and it’s advocates. Friend, I like knowing about God’s grace, mercy, and love, but that is not all that is contained in the Word of God. It is written, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). A true preacher of “the faith” will have the courage and resolve to do as Jude did.

 Our next example is the apostle Paul. Paul was not concerned with being the most “politically correct” (should be “incorrect”) preacher. Instead, Paul wanted brethren to know the dangers of those who would make faith “shipwreck”. It is recorded, “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mighest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Tim. 1:18-20). Notice that Paul explicitly stated the names of the offenders. Can you just imagine the response that some would have to Paul if he were alive today? If he were a located preacher, the congregation might have some that would want to run Paul out of town. Thankfully, Paul was a true Gospel preacher, and as such, did not fear to mention the names and errors of those who practiced and taught such. In fact, there were other times that Paul referenced individuals by name: Philetus (2 Tim. 2:17), Demas (2 Tim. 4:10), Alexander (2 Tim. 4:14). Not only do we know that Paul did such, but what about John? John mentioned the pompous Diotrophes for his “deeds” and “malicious words” (3 John 9-10). Again, showing the importance of identifying error and those who practice it. These examples serve as proof that God expects the faithful to warn of the evil. It will be much easier to be led astray by false teachers when they and their doctrines are not exposed. May we all have the courage to follow such examples in our own lives.

~Corey Barnette