Robert H. West once wrote……….. As Christians we are constantly called upon to face both religious and moral error. Being victorious or vanquished in this matter hinges upon whether or not we have the proper attitude toward error. But what should our attitude be? Compromise? Indifference? Animosity? Opinions are irrelevant here. What does the Word tell us?
The basic attitude a Christian should have toward error is that of hate. This statement will undoubtedly shock some folks. But before letting prejudice arise, listen to the inspired oracles: "Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way." (Ps. 119:104.) Also, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." (Prov. 8:13.) There are other similar statements in the Bible but these should suffice to show that the above statement, however shocking, is nevertheless true. Do we have understanding through the precepts of God? Then we must hate every false way. Do we fear the Lord? Then we must hate evil.
This hate of error required of us is not by any means to be a latent, stagnant thing. In Ephesians 5:11 Paul states: "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. . ." Our attitude of hate toward error leads us to avoid association with every form of error. When we examine a doctrine or practice in the light of God's word and find it to be error, we should immediately sever our attachments to it, if any, and get as far from it as possible. Again Paul's words are here pertinent: "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (I Thess. 5:22.) Few Christians have failed to understand the above principle of abstinence. The problem arises in trying to persuade brethren that this is not all they must do toward error. Read Ephesians 5:11 in its entirety: "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them." We cannot obey a part of this command and blindly ignore the rest. If we do not have fellowship with error then we have but one alternative – Reprove it, that is, show that it is wrong; expose it. (End Quote)
Friends as shocking as this may sound to you it is the truth. Please give this careful thought.
