By Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Eph. 5: 11).
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (Rom 16:17-18).
It seems to me the scriptures are very clear when it comes to having fellowship with false teachers. Yet, there are many out there that want to claim they are brothers yet will not heed Gods word. The man who fails to teach the whole counsel of God is no better than the one who adds to or takes away from the word. Too many today want to preach an all is peace and love and ignore the rest. This leads to confusion and shows a lack of respect for God and the apostles teachings.
Sometimes we are asked can a false teacher teach the truth? The answer is yes of course he can but you will find if you dig deep enough the only truth he teaches is that which he thinks will bolster his false teaching to give you just enough room for doubt. False teachers will not admit to being false teachers However, John says, "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 Jn. 4:1). So the question now becomes how do we treat such teachers when they are exposed?
Beware of Them. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets" (Matt. 7:15). We would beware of a rattlesnake because of the physical harm it would do to us. A false preacher is just as dangerous to us spiritually as a rattlesnake is to us physically.
Do Not Fellowship Them. Paul said, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph. 5:11). False teachers can not be fellowshipped.
Avoid Them. Paul said, "Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Rom. 16:17).
Rebuke Them. Of certain false teachers Paul said, "Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Tit. 1: 13). Paul said instead of fellowshipping with them we should "rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11).
Don't Bid Them God Speed. John said, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 Jn. 9-11).
Watch for Them. Paul told Timothy, "Watch thou in all things." The reason was: "for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:1-5). One should keep his eyes open for false teachers.
This can sometimes be difficult to do because we lack the proper teaching and do not study for ourselves as we are instructed. 2Ti_2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The truth is if you truly love someone you will want to correct them and bring them back to the truth of Gods word. Remember the words of James Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Sadly today there are those who are just to far gone to reach thus you MUST mark and put them away. I am the first to admit that the scriptures are filled with the Love of God but will also be the fist to tell you that you must stand on the word in total not just that which pleases you. Luk_11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Think about it! Study it!
