Guard Yourself: False Teaching Can and Does Arise From Within the Church

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Practical2 Comments

We often think of the church as a safe place, which is certainly how it should be. Everything we hear at church should be truth. Sadly, however, that’s not always the case. People in the church can and do spread false teaching, either knowingly or unknowingly.

False Teaching Arises from Within the Church

Consider what Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:6-7,

“Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.” (1 Ti 1:6–7)

The certain persons to whom Paul is referring are not those outside the church, rather they are those who are members of the church at Ephesus. These folks have sate under Timothy’s preaching week in and week out. Despite hearing the truth, they have started spreading a false message.

The Importance of Recognizing False Teaching Can and Does Arise From Within the Church

Since false teaching is spread both out and in the church, we have to be vigilant in comparing everything we hear with what God’s Word says. Every sermon, Bible study, conversation, and saying has to be run through a biblical grid.

In order to for us to run everything we hear through a robust and accurate biblical grid, we have to be biblically literate, which means we have to put a premium on reading and studying God’s Word. We have to know our Bible’s.

How Could Those in the Church Start Spreading False Doctrine?

Presumable Timothy was preaching the truth of God’s Word, expounding the text, and proclaiming the gospel week in and week out. How could someone sit under Biblical teaching week in and week out only to start spreading false doctrine?

Paul says it happens when we swerve from the truth. Specifically, he tells us in verse 5 that those in the Ephesian church have swerved from “a pure heart…a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Ti 1:5b). Leaving these things behind, some in the Ephesian church ventured into false doctrine.

A few explanations for why they swerved toward false teaching are possible that they sought to puff themselves up, gain a reputation, or even power in the community. We aren’t told exactly why, but what we do know is that their motives for doing so weren’t pure.

It didn’t matter, then, if they knew what they were talking about or not. They just started talking, making things up as they went. They didn’t check what they were saying against Scripture. They just said it.

We Can Easily Spread False Doctrine If We Aren’t Careful

Honestly, that can happen to us. If we don’t check what we are saying against Scripture, we might end up spreading false doctrine. Let me show you how easy it is for that to happen. I came across an article just the other day highlighting common sayings of church goers. Consider some of the ones they mentioned:

  • God helps those who help themselves.
  • God wants me to be happy.
  • We’re all God’s children.
  • Cleanliness is next to godliness.
  • God won’t give you more than you can handle.
  • When you die, God gains another angel [1].

I’m sure most of these are familiar to you, you may have even said one or two of these before. You know what? They are all false teaching. Not one of them is true. When we say them, then, we are spreading a false message.

Sure, we may be doing so unknowingly. Today maybe the first time you heard these were false teaching. But do you see how easy it is for false teaching to creep into even a biblically minded church? Do you see why it is important that we are always on guard, even at church? Do you see why we always have to check the things we hear against Scripture?

False teaching can and does arise from within the church, so we have to check everything we hear against God’s Word in order to guard ourselves and others from it.

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you have a well developed biblical grid by which you can protect yourself and others from false teaching and teachers?

Resources

[1] http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/7-unbiblical-statements-christians-believe

Post developed from my sermon: How Do We Guard Ourselves and Others From False Teaching and Teachers?

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What are the Three Uses of the Law?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn PracticalLeave a comment

The Old Testament law is mysteries and difficult for us to understand at times. Since we are so far removed from the time of the Patriarchs and are more closely related to the New Testament church, we may have a tendency to write the law off altogether. Before we do that, however, it is important we understand the law’s purpose or uses. Most theologians agree that the law has three uses.

What are the Three Uses of the Law?

(1) Restrain sin (Rom 7:7; Ps 19:13)

Like a locked door, the law was supposed to keep sin from running rampant by setting boundaries that weren’t supposed to be crossed. Certainly, this use more closely relates to Old Testament Israel. God’s law was meant to make them distinct and it was to make a way for them to live in relation with Him.

(2) Reveal sin (Rom 3:19–20; Gal 3:24)

Like a mirror the law was supposed to reveal how sinful we are, helping us to see that we can’t save ourselves. In this way, the law points us to our need for a Savior.

While the first use is more closely related to Old Testament Israel, it seems this use has value today as well. We are all sinners who need to understand the depths of our depravity so that we will see our need for a Savior.

(3) Guide to living (Rom 13:8–10)

Like a rule or guide, the law is supposed to show us how to live in a way that pleases God.

Certainly, this use is both applicable to the saints of old and us as well. We all need to know and understand who God is and how He would have us live.

Question for Reflection

  1. What do you think? Do you agree the law has three uses?

Resource

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How Do We Deal with Recurring Sin in Our Lives? – Part 5

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn PracticalLeave a comment

As we all know, battling sin is hard and difficult work. While we may win some battles here and there, we won’t win the war in this life. We will continue to battle sin until the day we die. A constant battle with sin can become tiresome and discouraging. It can drag us down. I don’t want that for you. So let me provide a word of encouragement to the battle laden warrior of Christ whose soul may have grown weary from years of fighting.

A Word of Encouragement

(1) A constant battle with sin should assure you that you are Christian rather than discourage you.

John in his first letter says starting in verse 9 of chapter 1,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 Jn 1:9–10)

There isn’t a problem when we are willing to admit or battle against sin, rather the problem occurs when we aren’t willing to admit or battle against sin. When that occurs we should be worried, not when we are battling sin in our lives.

A constant battle of sin means we recognize it’s there and we are willing to deal with it, which is one of the marks of a true Christians. So constantly battling sin should assure rather than discourage you.

(2) Despite our sin, we are still used by God.

It is remarkable, but God still uses us despite the sin in our lives. He uses us to:

  • Spread the gospel
  • Preach His Word
  • Counsel the hurting
  • Care for the needy
  • And much, much more.

Despite the sin in our lives, God still uses us — imperfect vessels — to do His perfect work. When we see God using us, we should be encouraged because it means we are His.

So be encouraged when you find that you are battling sin. It not only reveals that you are a child of God, but it also means that you are someone God can and will use to do His work.

Conclusion

Returning to our question: How do we defeat recurring sin in our lives? We defeat recurring sin, the same way we defeat every other sin. After discovering what it is, we purpose not to hold onto it, and we attack it at the root, doing battle on the battlefield of our heart. Relying on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and using the weapons the Lord has given us. That’s how we battle sin.

So don’t lose heart. Continue to fight the good fight, knowing that those who are in Christ can win the battle because Jesus has won the war.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Are you encouraged by your constant battle with sin?
  2. Do you see the Lord using you to do His work in your life?

Resources

Post adapted from my sermon: How Do We Deal with Recurring Sin in Our Lives?

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The Bible Project

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Practical31 Comments

Over the last several weeks I have been on a binge. No, not a Netflix or junk food binge, but The Bible Project binge. I just can’t get enough. Not only is it helping me understand the biblical storyline, but it is doing so in an interesting and engaging way. I want to commend their videos and resources to you. Below is their trailer. It tells you who they are and what they are doing.

After watching the trailer, head over to the app store and download the app: Read Scripture. It’s not only a great way to read through the Bible in a year, but it has The Bible Projects videos baked in. At the beginning of each book, and periodically throughout, there is a video for you to watch that helps you understand the book or theme you are about to read or, in the case of the theme, just read. Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed. The video highlighting the app is below.

How Do We Deal with Recurring Sin in Our Lives? – Part 4

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Practical5 Comments

Our battle against sin will only result in victory if it is waged at the heart level. Battling sin by removing the externals from our lives is only the first step in a multi-step battle. If we count our enemies retreat as a complete victory, we are going to be surprised when it regroups, rallies, and comes knocking again. The only victory we should settle for when it comes to sin is complete annihilation. The only way to annihilate our enemy is to wage war against it on the battlefield of the heart. How do we do that?

How Do We Battle Sin at the Heart Level?

The first thing we need to understand is that rooting sin out of our lives is not something we can do in our own power and strength. We need something more, someone, more.  We need the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

(1) We need the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

One of the things the Holy Spirit does is produce fruit in our lives. The fruit the Holy Spirit produces pushes ungodliness out.

For instance, pride dies as we grow in love and humility, anger as we grow in patience and self-control, sexual immorality as we grow in faithfulness, self-control, and purity of mind and conscience, love of this world as we grow in love for God and heavenly-mindedness. As these and other godly fruits grow in our lives ungodliness is pushed out.

Another thing the Holy Spirit does is bring to mind the gospel. The gospel message is simple the good news about Jesus’ death on our behalf, which repairs our relationship with the Father. A relationship we can’t repair on our own through our own works. Instead, we need someone who is perfect, who doesn’t deserve punishment, to die in our place to satisfy God’s wrath against us. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, who dies for us. Through His death, we can have life, if we repent of our sins and believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior. One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to bring this message to mind so that we constantly think about it.

The Holy Spirit bringing the gospel message to mind provides another way for us to battle sin. You may or may not be familiar with the term “preach the gospel to yourselves.” By regularly preaching the gospel to ourselves we keep Jesus’ work at the forefront of our mind. Remembering that He is the One who saves, sanctifies, satisfies, and fulfills. He is the One who gives us peace and joy, as He repairs our relationship with the Father. These are all things we are looking for in the world, but we will never find. The world and sin don’t and can’t deliver like Jesus.

Along with reminding ourselves of Jesus’ work, we must also regularly remind ourselves of the utter bankrupt nature of the world and the false promises of sin. We must remember that Jesus doesn’t fail us. Instead, He fulfills us. He always delivers on His promises.

Remembering these things about Jesus by preaching the gospel to ourselves should draw our affections away from the world to Jesus. As well as our desire to please Him should grow. Not to earn our salvation, but because of our salvation. Out of gratitude for what He has done for us, we should want to live for Him, bringing Him glory and pleasure.

(2) We must practice the spiritual disciplines and use the means of grace.

John Owen says,

“If we seek to correct an outbreak of sin in the soul, but neglect the basic duties that promote spirituality, we labor in vain.” [1]

In other words, we must use the weapons God has given to battle sin.

Our God-given weapons are what we might refer to as the Spiritual Disciplines and the Means of Grace. While these are two different things, they are similar enough to combine. The Spiritual Disciplines and the Means of Grace refer to:

  • Reading God’s Word
  • Memorizing Scripture
  • Praying
  • Fellowshipping with other believers
  • Participating in an accountability relationship
  • Hearing the Word of God preached
  • Attending a Bible Study
  • Observing and participating in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

While not an exhaustive list, hopefully, it gives you an idea of the weapons God provides us to battle sin.

Although we are given these weapons, I believe many believers fail to use them. Instead of brandishing God’s weapons and wisdom we attempt to fight sin with worldly weapons and wisdom, which is why we often do battle on the surface instead of the heart. Our attempt to fight sin using other means is why I believe many of us continue to struggle with the same old sins year after year.

Not fighting with God’s wisdom and weapons is like showing up to a gunfight with a knife. As soon as our opponent pulls his weapon we are a goner.

Not only, then, do we need the Holy Spirit at work in us, which means we must be a believer, but we also need to use that which God has given us — the Spiritual Disciplines and the Means of Grace. These weapons attack sin at the root killing it so that it doesn’t have the opportunity to come back. Employing these weapons is what makes it possible for us to remove sin from our lives, not just on the surface, but at the heart level.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you recognize and rely on the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?
  2. Are you using the weapons the Lord has provided?

Resources

Post adapted from my sermon: How Do We Deal with Recurring Sin in Our Lives?

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[1]  John Owen, The Mortification of Sin, 50.

A Christian View of Social Justice

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals12 Comments

Social Justice is a word we hear often. From discussions with our neighbors at our local coffee house, to the nightly news, to the political arena, social justice seems to be a common topic of discussion and debate. But what is meant by the term social justice? Is it biblical? Should Christians participate in acts of social justice?

Two Predominate Views of Social Justice

(1) Unconstrained view – This view is based on everyone getting their fair share. As we are all aware, every society has a finite amount of resources to go around. This view holds that everyone should have their fair share of those resources. It is unjust to allow some to hold onto a greater portion of those resources. We should, then, do all we can to see that those resources are shared equally.

(2) Constrained view – This view is based on the fair treatment of all peoples, and it is not concerned with everyone having their fair share of the total resources in a given society. In this view, it’s not unjust for people to hold onto wealth. People are entitled to what they have earned. Instead of putting energy into the redistribution of wealth, we should put our energy into seeing that everyone is treated fairly.

Which View is Biblical?

Let’s look at a few verses on social justice from the Bible:

  • Exodus 21:1-11 provides laws regarding the fair treatment of slaves.
  • In Deuteronomy 15:1-18, especially 7-11 and 13-15, rules are given concerning meeting the needs of the poor.
  • Psalms 72:12-15 and Psalm 103:6-7 tells of God redeeming the oppressed and persecuted from their oppressors, working righteousness and justice for them.
  • Proverbs 31:8-9 tells us to judge righteously and to defend the rights of the poor and needy.

By far these are not all the verses in the Bible on social justice, but they give us an idea of which view the Bible is upholding. I believe that is the second view, the Constrained View.

God’s Word does not command us to redistribute our wealth to neighbors, so that we all have equal access to the total resources of the society in which they live. Differing classes and a distribution of wealth does not constitute injustice [1].

A biblical view of Social Justice holds that we are not to show partiality, not to steal, not to swindle others, not to take advantage of the weak because they are uninformed or unable to stop us. 

Rather than saying we need to redistribute our resources, so that we are all on equal footing, the Bible tells us that we are to care for the oppressed and seek to stop others from oppressing them. We are to speak up for those who are being persecuted. We are to work for laws that stand for the fair treatment of all peoples regardless of race or nationality.

Christians are to Work for Social Justice

If we believe part of God’s mission is to redeem the oppressed and persecuted, to make sure the poor are cared for and the helpless are not taken advantage, and if we believe we are a part of that mission, then we are to do the same. Christians are to work for social justice in their cities.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you agree that the constrained view represents the biblical view of social justice?
  2. How does your church care for the needy, oppressed, and persecuted?

Resources

Gilbert and DeYoung, What is the Mission of the Church?, 176, 180-183.

[1] I do not believe the churches actions in Acts are meant to be prescriptive. Rather, I see their actions as being descriptive of what took place in that city.

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