Throughout the world, people are perplexed at the diabolical, heinous crimes of Hamas toward innocent people.
How could human beings — created in the image and according to the likeness of God (Gen. 1:26,28) — stoop to such demonic activity?
The truth is that what we see in Hamas we see daily in the news in our own country, with wanton attacks and the senseless slaughter from one human being against another — and an entire generation of cold indifference to the fate of the unborn, in what Mother Teresa once said should be the safest place of all — a woman’s womb.
Yet who can deny the increasing rapidity of all this, and why? It can only be said that we’re either at the beginning stages of a worldwide apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1), or we’re further down the line then we might imagine.
What is this apostasy? It’s found in 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:3. But in 2 Thess. 2:10-11, we also see the judgment of God upon people who are committing this apostasy:
“And with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they may all be judged who did not believe the truth but took pleasure in wickedness.”
You’ll notice, however, what precedes these two verses in vv. 7-9, and that is the appearance of the Antichrist. Given that the Antichrist has not yet appeared on the earth, vv. 10-11 are only a precursor of what’s to come — not the fullness of it.
Accordingly, we’re only seeing glimpses of the future, and it’s all because of man hardening his heart to a loving, redemptive God — and therefore requiring His righteous judgment.
This is what happens when man, again, created in the image and according to the likeness of God, turns away from Him and becomes like the devil instead.
The Apostle Paul elsewhere wrote that in the last days, “treacherous” (also, savage, or dangerous) times would come (2 Tim. 3:1), and it certainly is apparent every day that we’re living in those last days.
First, know who He is — along with the Father and the Son. He is the Creator of all that exists (Gen. 1:2; cf. Isaiah 40:12-26). He is one (echad; one in unity) with the Father and with the Son (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Cor. 8:6; 12:4).
It’s impossible to get to know anyone until we know who they are and what they’re like.
Second, we cannot experience new life in Christ, apart from His indwelling, regenerative presence (John 3: 3-8; Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; Titus 3:5).
Third, we can’t grow in the Christian life without understanding the Word of God apart from the teaching of the Holy Spirit, who along with the Father and the Son inspired the entire Word of God (cf. Heb. 3-4; John 14:26-27; 16:13-14).
We cannot worship or pray apart from the Holy Spirit (John 4:24; Jude 20-21). Note that our Lord Himself rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21)! Given His intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit (e.g. Mt. 12:28; Luke 4:17-18; Acts 1:2), how much more do we need the Holy Spirit (cf. Luke 11:13)
Fourth, as we see His activity in our lives, we should thank Him for His work and fellowship (2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 5: 22-23; Luke 10:17-21; Zechariah 4:6). This pertains to what we learn from Him through His Word, from answered prayer, from His presence with us during time in His Word, in prayer, in praise and worship, from the words of others, and from circumstances He reveals Himself through.
A lifestyle of thanksgiving to God is vital in knowing Him, especially because of the preeminence He places on this act (Ps. 34:1-3; 118:1-3; Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:17; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; Heb. 13:15).
A rabbinical tradition says that all the Mosaic sacrifices would have an end except the thank offering, and all prayers would cease except the prayer of thanksgiving.[1]
Fifth, just as we must pursue our relationship with the Father and the Son daily (cf. John 17:3; Luke 10:38-42), so must we ask the Father for more of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13; Ephesians 5:18).
Clearly, this is our responsibility; it doesn’t “just happen,” but we must be intentional (Hosea 6:3).
Sixth, we must live in reverence before Him by guarding our hearts and lips (Acts 5:1-11; Ephesians 4:3, 28-5:2). What we see in Eph. 4:28-5:2 is that we cannot imitate the Father while at the same time grieving the Holy Spirit!
Seventh, we must always keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is conforming us into the image of Jesus (2 Cor. 3:17-18; cf. Rom. 8:29), and that He always seeks to glorify the Father and the Son.
Consequently, learning His behavior means we will likewise consider others as more important than ourselves (Phil. 2:3-4) – just as the One He’s conforming us to (Phil. 2:5-11)!
Eighth and last, we learn to walk with the Holy Spirit by asking Him to help us daily to live for the glory of the Father and the Son, which greatly pleases Him!
[1] Fritz Rienecker, A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, ed. Cleon L. Rogers (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980), 719.
What is a heretic? First, a heretic is one who brings teaching which seems orthodox (straight or sound), but is in fact heterodox — or counter to what is sound teaching. But one who proffers heresy is often successful in his or her teaching for several important reasons.
First, usually before becoming heretical, the person used to be orthodox on the essentials of the faith, and he or she gained a significant following — especially people who then became emotionally tied to and devoted to the teacher.
But slowly, such a teacher cleverly nips away at the truth — often imperceptibly by those who lack discernment — and despite the attempted corrections of the discerning. As the teacher slips past cautionary warnings from others, he or she gains confidence to further assert heretical positions.
Secondly, a heretic is successful because this person is highly adept with language — a master of persuasion and a virtual expert at using sophistry to put the orthodox in a defensive position. For example, on a vital matter of truth, the heretic accuses the orthodox of being harsh, uncaring, narrow, and provincial in his views — while portraying himself as genuine, caring, sympathetic and understanding.
This results in the heretic gaining a stronger foothold with his teaching; he becomes a champion for the cause of those who agree with him. Those emotionally attached to him come to his defense, and he wins the argument (or so it seems).
This leads to a third apparent victory for the heretic; heresy isn’t merely false teaching, but it’s also teaching which causes division. Both Paul and Peter address this in their epistles:
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and put stumbling blocks or offenses in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people” (Rom. 16:17-18).
In Titus 3:10, Paul urges,
“Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned” (the word translated “factious” is where we get our word “heretic” from). Let us carefully note what Paul also declares with apostolic authority in v.11.
And there’s no mincing words from the other major apostle, Peter:
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep” (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Accordingly, heresy is teaching designed to bring a wedge between parties and gain control over the church and its teaching. It is treacherous and demonic.
Another example — used frequently by heretics such as Andy Stanley — is to equate the orthodox teachers with the Pharisees. And who likes the Pharisees, anyway? So the charge is a “gotcha” charge — an emotional ploy to get people on his side of the argument and to discredit the orthodox.
However, when Andy Stanley levels such a charge, most people completely fail to see that he himself is a religious leader, akin to the Sadducees, who were the theological liberals of their day.
But he is also a Pharisee, because Stanley has voluminously elevated his own non-biblical teaching for years, just as they did — and Jesus frequently rebuked them for doing so — charging them with undermining the Word of God (e.g. Mark 7:9-13).
Stanley did the above recently when Albert Mohler sought to correct Stanley’s continued advancement of the homosexual agenda, through the clever use of emotional language. He has stubbornly refused all correction from orthodox teachers.
For this reason — and because of his widespread influence and charismatic personality — Stanley is every bit as dangerous as the worst heretic in the history of the Church — Arius. It is way past time for all evangelical leaders — shepherds of the flock — to condemn him soundly and warn the church against him. Here is the warning; here is the urgent call for discernment.
And here is the urging to uphold sound doctrine to honor the risen Lord Jesus.
Pastor Brad Abley's Blog 