Name That Heresy

"..Christians nowadays simply don't care about the prevalence of false doctrine, nor do they take seriously their duty to fight against apostasy. Instead they want a friendly atmosphere of open acceptance for everyone, tolerance of opposing ideas, and charitable dialogue with the apostates." - John MacArthur (the Truth War)

Not that I agree with everything John teaches, but he is spot on in this comment.

Pro 29:24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

"On the first discovery of the theft, the person wronged Judges 17:2, or the judge of the city (marginal reference), pronounced a solemn curse on the thief and on all who, knowing the offender, were unwilling to give evidence against him. The accomplice of the thief hears that curse, and yet is silent, and so falls under it, and “destroys his own soul.” Albert Barnes commentary

"Bewrayeth it not - Which he is bound to do for the publick good." John Wesley

H5046 Strong's Concordance

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na^gad

naw-gad'

A primitive root; properly to front, that is, stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically to expose, predict, explain, praise: - bewray, X certainly, certify, declare (-ing), denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter. Total KJV occurrences: 370

If you will not testify against a thief and you fall under the same curse pronounced by the judge, how much more so would it be if you know someone is teaching false doctrine and you do not testify against the doctrine and its teacher?

In our own criminal justice system we have accessory before or after the fact if we help a crime to be committed whether we are present or not. It is also called aiding and abetting the crime which can get you the same punishment as the perpetrator.

Proverbs says we should boldly oppose the error unless we are partner with the thief or to make application, partner to the false doctrine and its teacher.

Thus if we, and especially pastors, are not boldly testifying against the false doctrines and teachers are we not aiding and abetting the lies? Silence is often viewed as condoning an action or thesis and the person(s) involved.

Like one of my professors, I tend to be a walking question mark. Indeed, he was one that stood with me when some wanted to kick me out college because I questioned the son of two favored professors. I had honest questions. I have no desire to go to Guyana or a compound in Waco.

I often got into debates with my own denomination in which I served in three different shades of that denomination. They trained me how to use a proper hermeneutic and then got upset when using that hermeneutic I found discrepancies in its teachings.

I have gotten the "touch not mine anointed" and don't go up against God's man" warnings. With my childhood traumas I am often tempted to go along to get along, but I want to be right and teach truth.

I am sure that I have a few Charismatics that are declaring and decreeing against me and calling me not so nice names because I have pointed out some major errors in their teachings. I remember hearing Jimmy Swaggart back in the day call out a slew of groups and then said that the Pentecostals were next. He was at least equal and not just finding fault with everyone but his own group. He had his sins, but in this area I can show him some respect.

We are to be in one mind and one accord. We are to speak the same thing. We can only do that if we are all walking in the Spirit so that we are in the truth in all areas for He came to lead us into ALL truth, not just essentials.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

These are my life verses and call to ministry. I do relate to Peter. Indeed, I prayed that I might be like Peter and Paul. I am, but I am like them in their weaknesses and I was thinking strengths when I prayed. Then again, Paul said when he was weak he was strong so maybe my prayer was answered, but not how I wanted.

I have a great passion for the brethren to be strengthened. Peter had to have his changes and be turned around. He was saved at that point so he did not need to be converted in that sense of the word. He did have to be humbled and ultimately filled with the Spirit at Pentecost.