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BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHINGS

SCRIPTURE READINGS: DEUTERONOMY 34:1-12, 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-8, MATTHEW 22:34-46

SUNDAY REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is “Beware of false teachings” Beware of false teachings means we should be on guard so that we are not misled by doctrines which are contrary to the Word of God or Scripture. We shall examine the features of false teachings:
1. False teachings lack divine wisdom and authenticity.
2. False teachings come from teachers who lack integrity and are not called by God.
3. False teachings deviate from the vertical and horizontal relationships in Scripture

Firstly, false teachings lack divine wisdom and can not be obeyed because they lack divine authenticity. After Mose’s demise, Joshua was appointed to replace him to lead the Israelites. It was important for Joshua to continue to guide the Israelites with God’s commandments or teachings therefore “… Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9) It is important to note that we listen to true teachings because the teacher is filled with the spirit of wisdom from God and the teachings are derived from the authentic commandment of God as found in Scripture. False teachings are formulated from the wisdom of man and lack authenticity because it has no divine and Scriptural basis or they are partially crafted from Scripture and partially from human wisdom. Dear friend, so long as the teachings are not wholly from the Scripture or the commandment of God we must beware because it is a false teachings. To avoid false teaching, the Plamist said “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. ¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. (Psalms 119:105-106). In order not to engage in false teaching, the psalmist again prayed, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalms 19:14) We need to pray for the Spirit of wisdom and to be able to understand God’s Word or commandment and the propagate true and Biblically sound teachings that will edify God’s people.

Secondly, false teachings come from people who lack integrity and are not called or sent by God. Paul demonstrated his integrity and the calling to teach or preach the Gospel when he wrote to the Thessalonians, “You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed —God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6) Beloved in the Lord, unlike Paul and his co-workers, false teachers have no integrity or they lack honesty and are not faithful to the truth in Scripture or the Gospel. Their teachings are False, in that, they are filled with will erroneous and tricky motives to please people and they are full of flattery and praise to deceive people and encourage people on the path of destruction and moral decadence. It was for this reason Paul admonished Timothy, “I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Let those of us who are called by God preach the Gospel and teach Biblically sound teachings with integrity.

Thirdly, false teachings deviate from the vertical and horizontal relationships in Scripture. The summary of the teachings in the Bible emphasises the vertical relationship between God and humanity and the horizontal relationship among humanity. It is for this reason, that one of the Pharisees “… an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:35-40). Loving God is the vertical relation and loving one’s neighbour is the horizontal relationship. In recent times false teachings have emphasised self-love, materialism and prosperity over one’s relationship with God and neighbour, further worsening an already broken and divisive world. Love is at the centre of Biblical teaching therefore John teaches that “We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:19-21). Jesus’ teachings focus on our relationship with God and our relationship with one another, hence, any teaching that deviates from this truth is a false teaching.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Beware of false teachings” We have discovered that some of the key features of false teachings are lack of divine wisdom and authenticity, those who engage in false teaching lack integrity and are not called by God, and last but not least, false teachings deviate from the vertical and horizontal relationships in Scripture. May the Holy Spirit empower us to study the Scripture and to teach Biblical and divinely inspired truth for the spiritual growth and development of believers. Amen