PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD ERROR

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. There are far too many churches in our religious world today.
      1. There are thousands of different churches with different
         names, creeds, and doctrines.
         a. Surely, God is not the author of all this confusion. 1
            Cor. 14:33
         b. Division is not pleasing to God. 1 Cor. 1:10
      2. In the light of this, it behooves all of us to examine the
         Scriptures to make sure we are right in God's sight. 1      
         Thess. 5:21; 2 Pet. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:5
   B. In this lesson, let's consider the proper attitude toward      
      error.
      1. In other words, we ask: "What does God's holy word teach
         us regarding religious error?"

I. ERROR DOES EXIST.
   A. There are false doctrines. Matt. 15:8-9; 2 Tim. 4:3-4
      1. A lady once told me that we should never make an issue over
         doctrine. As a matter of fact, she said that we should not  
         use the word "doctrine"at all.
         a. She had been taught this from her religious leaders.
      2. The word doctrine is used 49 times in the Bible. If the     
         Bible uses it, certainly, we should use it.
   B. There are false ways. Prov. 16:25; Psalm 119:104
      1. There is only one way that leads to life. The Bible calls   
         all others ways: "false ways."
   C. There are false teachers. 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:13-15
      1. The Bible says that evil men and seducers would grow worse
         and worse. 2 Tim. 3:13
      2. We are repeatedly warned against those who seek to deceive
         us. Eph. 4:14
   D. There are blind guides. Matt. 15:10-14; Acts 20:29-30
      1. We must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24
   E. There is a narrow way that leads to life. Matt. 7:13-14
      1. People in our time think there are many ways that lead to
         heaven. The Bible plainly teaches otherwise.

II. WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD ERROR.
   A. We are to test every teacher. 1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11; Rev. 2:2
      1. We must not give encouragement to those who teach error.
         2 John 9-11
   B. We are not to have fellowship with error, but rather expose and
      reprove it. Eph. 5:11
      1. Darkness is sometimes used for error. The Thessalonians
         were not in darkness, but had the light of truth. 1 Thess.  
         5:4
   C. We are to identify (mark) those who teach error. Rom. 16:17-18;
      Titus 3:10-11
   D. We are to hate every false way. Psalm 119:104,128; Rom. 12:9;
      Rev. 2:6,15
      1. Years ago, some accused brother A.C. Grider of giving the
         church a bad name. He would blast denominational error on
         his radio program, and some weak members were offended
         by it. Someone came to his rescue and said that brother
         Grider had converted more people to the Lord than anyone he 
         knew.
   E. We are to war against error. Jude 3; 1 Tim. 1:18-20
      1. A few days ago, someone sent me this brief E-Mail,
         "Nobody, Catholic or Bible believing Protestants are going
         to be converted by what each other say, only by the grace of
         God!"
         a. Answer: We must teach, uphold, and defend the truth.
            The only way Catholics or Bible believing Protestants
            can be saved by the grace of God is by believing and
            obeying the truth.

III. WITHSTANDING ERROR IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
   A. Error cannot save. Only truth can save. 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet.  
      1:22
   B. Error denies the necessity of obedience. Heb. 5:8-9; Matt.     
      7:21-23
      1. If one church is as good as another (or, doctrine doesn't
         matter), why can't someone start their own church and
         change everything to suit themselves?
      2. Some of the modern cults have done this very thing.
   C. Error deceives people. Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8,18
      1. Even the elect can be deceived. Matt. 24:24
         a. They will not only seek to deceive the hearts of the
            simple, but will work on those who have been chosen
            (or called) by the gospel, the true Christians.
   D. Error condemns the soul. Titus 1:13-14; Gal. 1:6-9
   E. God sends strong delusion to those who do not love the truth. 2
      Thess. 2:10-12
      1. Example: Balaam. Num. 22:19
         a. It is hard to understand here why God told Balaam to
            go, and then becomes angry with him when he goes.
            Num. 22:20-22
         b. However, God had already plainly spoken to Balaam,
            "You shall not go with them," (Num. 22:12), but
            Balaam was not satisfied with that. He wanted more.
         c. Human nature doesn't change.
            (1) God has revealed His will about how to obtain
                forgiveness of sins, but people want more. Acts
                2:38
            (2) God has revealed His will about music in worship,
                but people want more. Eph. 5:19
            (3) God has revealed His will about divorce and
                remarriage, but some want more. Matt. 19:9
      2. Honor and respect toward God demands that we do exactly
         as God has directed in His holy word. Deut. 4:2; 12:32

IV. CONSIDER THE ADVANTAGES OF KNOWING AND ESPOUSING THE TRUTH.
   A. The truth makes us free, and sanctifies. John 8:31-32; 17:17
   B. The truth contains all the good works that are pleasing to God.
      2 Tim. 3:16-17
   C. We continue to study so that we can correctly handle the Word  
      of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:15
   D. A knowledge of the truth is the only safeguard against fatal   
      error. Heb. 5:14; 2 Pet. 3:16-18
   E. The truth is able to build us up and give us a home in heaven.
      Acts 20:32; 2 Tim. 3:15

Concl.
   A. Let us have strong desire for truth. Prov. 23:23
   B. Let us love the truth so that we can be saved. 2 Thess. 2:10
   C. Let us diligently strive to have a good understanding of the   
      truth. Psalm 119:104
   D. Let us, in all things of faith and practice, do exactly as the 
      truth directs. John 4:24

Chart #1
ERROR DOES EXIST

There Are False Doctrines. Matt. 15:8-9; 2 Tim. 4:3-4

There Are False Ways. Prov. 16:25; Psalm 119:104

There Are False Teachers. 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:13-15

There Are Blind Guides. Matt. 15:10-14; Acts 20:29-30

There Is A Narrow Way That Leads To Life. Matt. 7:13-14

Chart #2
WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD ERROR

We are to test every teacher. 1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11; Rev. 2:2

We are not to have fellowship with error, but rather expose and
reprove it. Eph. 5:11

We are to identify (mark) those who teach error. Rom. 16:17-18; Titus
3:10-11

We are to hate every false way. Psalm 119:104,128; Rom. 12:9; Rev.
2:6,15

We are to war against error. Jude 3; 1 Tim. 1:18-20

Chart #3
WITHSTANDING ERROR IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

Error cannot save - Only truth. 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:22

Error denies the necessity of obedience. Heb. 5:8-9; Matt. 7:21-23

Error deceives people. Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8,18

Error condemns the soul. Titus 1:13-14; Gal. 1:6-9

God sends strong delusion to those who do not love the truth. 2
Thess. 2:10-12

Chart #4
CONSIDER THE ADVANTAGES OF KNOWING AND ESPOUSING THE TRUTH

The truth makes free, and sanctifies. John 8:31-32; 17:17

The truth contains all the good works that are pleasing to God. 2
Tim. 3:16-17

We continue to study so that we can correctly handle the Word of
truth. 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:15

A knowledge of truth is the only safeguard against fatal error. Heb.
5:14; 2 Pet. 3:16-18

The truth is able to build us up and give us a home in heaven. Acts
20:32; 2 Tim. 3:15