Author: Zamora, Luis

What’s the difference between being wayward and being a false teacher? The beer drinker is sinning for sure, but he sins without directly involving another person in his sin. It’s possible he may even admit that he’s sinning and should quit. The false teacher, on the other hand, defends the drinker in his sin and causes other Christians to drink or to approve of drinking (Romans 1:32).

Is there anyone who does not know it’s wrong to steal? Yes! Everyone can be fooled into thinking something is okay that is actually stealing. It is a serious matter and a real temptation and danger for Christians in any age.

It’s a shame that Matthew 18:15-20 is one of the most misused and misapplied passages of Scripture: its true purpose is saving souls!

The disciples asked Jesus whether it was few who would be saved. He replied, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” He also taught, “The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Luke 13:24; Matthew 7:14)

Some Christians argue for drinking short of drunkenness. Wisdom from the Holy Spirit would turn you away from drinking altogether.

Among the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:23 is gentleness. As a fruit, it is something to be cultivated and brought about in maturity, and it is what the God who planted us desires that we produce. The New Testament shows that the word describes temperament or character and a way of behaving towards others.

The Scriptures firmly associate strife and faction. We are told in 1 Timothy 6:3-5 that those who “…do not consent to wholesome words…” are “…obsessed with disputes and arguments over words….” These things, we are told, lead to “…envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling….” We are also told in Titus 3:9-11 that we ought to “…avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions [eris], and striving about the Law….” This command is immediately followed by the command to “…reject a divisive man after a first—even a second—warning.”

A disciple is a student, a follower, and an imitator of his or her teacher. Jesus said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:34-35). The Lord expressed Himself plainly: disciples have work to do, and it will cost them something. It is only right, since He denied Himself and took up the cross on our behalf, that we serve Him thus.

Indeed, the longsuffering of the Lord is a longsuffering that leads people to repentance, and a longsuffering that helps us persevere in doing good. It is a means by which He guards us and saves us, and we must not undo it, lest we die.

A person with good intentions can still teach error that causes people to be lost. Witness Billy Graham. Witness the Pope. These two individuals, it can be said, both have the best of intentions, but their doctrines are just plain false, and those who believe them rather than God will be lost. Whether or not it is well-intended, error causes people to be lost. That is why we must mark those who teach what is false whether they intend to deceive or not.