Encouraging False Teachers

"If someone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don't invite him into your house or encourage him in any way. Anyone who encourages him becomes a partner in his evil work" (2 John 10,11).

If you have relatives that expect your presence this season for the regular Christmas gathering, you might want to rethink the status quo, because if they are still unsaved, and each season you have tried to give them the truth about salvation through Christ, then you come across encouraging their great sin-eternal separation from God.

John is instructing the believer not to show hospitality to false teachers, not only false believers. Believers were to do nothing to encourage the heretics in the propagation of falsehoods-that includes shutting one's mind down to the existence of our Creator and His salvation.

In addition, if believers to invite them in, such action would show that they were approving of what the false teachers said and did. It may seem rude to turn people away, even if they are teaching heresy, but how much better it is to be faithful to God than merely courteous to people! John is condemning the support of those who are dedicated to opposing the true teachings of God, not condemning hospitality to unbelievers. John adds that a person who supports a false teacher in any way shares in the teachers wicked work.

We might be tempted to take lightly false teachings, but we should realize the dangers they pose and actively refuse to give heresies any foothold. False teaching is SERIOUS BUSINESS!

"Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset peoples' faith by teaching things that are contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. But everyone knows you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy...The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Rom. 16.17-20).

Included in their "own personal interests" are those who discriminate against you by asking you to not speak anything about Christ in their presence, or whom you find distance themselves because they know you have received the atonement of Christ. Let us treat others as we would like to be treated and not censor certain subjects.

"Take no part in worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And when your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds. This is why it is said, Awake O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light" (Eph. 5.11-14).

Think not of them. Politely remove yourself from such relationships and associations. Our spirit that has been regenerated comes alive to things of God whence before it was asleep. Remember: don't encourage those who are opposed to Christ!

Thank you Jesus for your proper thoughts!