I have listened to people engaging in debates over spiritual matters and the scriptures. A lot of times I do not volunteer any contributions, even if I am in a position to clarify the issues, because the debate would not be so much about the need to be enlightened as no one would be prepared to shift their opinions even if they have been enlightened through the word of God. Such people are incorrigibly set in their ways.
divineinsight BY PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI
The scriptures sternly warn us not to entertain these kinds of debates which do not add any value to our spirituality and our walk of faith. In fact, the best (or is it worst?) that such people can do is to plant seeds of doubt and uncertainty in our hearts and, consequently, shipwreck our faith.
They are, however, not a new phenomenon. They have been around since time immemorial because demonic spirits have been around since the beginning of time, as we learn from the scriptures. There is a demon generally called the spirit of error. From the days of the early church, we see in the Bible the apostles warning believers to be on guard against this spirit, which fights the spread of the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9) while pushing doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1).
Doctrine simply refers to a set of teachings. The Bible speaks of both the doctrine of Christ and doctrines of devils. The doctrine of Christ is influenced by the spirit of Christ, the spirit of truth while doctrines of devils are spawned by the spirit of error.
As believers, we have an obligation to use the word of God to sieve the truth from heretical teachings that abound in our day. In the scriptures we see, over and over again, Paul beseeching believers to be sound in doctrine.
1 Timothy 1:3-4, “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus… that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.”
Proper, sound doctrine is essential. In its absence, “fables and endless genealogies” flourish. The end result is that people are not strengthened in the faith, but end up in confusion. The fables and endless genealogies were a rabbinical supplement to the written law and genealogies were fanciful additions to the Pentateuch, meant to inculcate an undue and exaggerated reverence for Jewish forms and ceremonies by converted Gentiles.
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Today, this is largely perpetuated by believers stuck with Moses in the Old Testament law when the Gospel of Grace has come by Jesus Christ.
Paul also warned Titus to be on the lookout for such people. He argued that only sound doctrine could cure such an ailment. It is therefore critical for the church never to depart from sound doctrine.
Titus 1:9, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
Quite clearly, only sound doctrine can bring conviction to those bent on being swayed. Those that teach “another gospel” are in error, teaching what they ought not to. Such people, as we learn from the scriptures, must be rebuked. It has never been more needful than in this age, to ground believers in the faith through the teaching of sound doctrine.
But in a generation of believers used to be pampered and having their pet sins ignored, rebuke has not been taken kindly. People that teach and perpetuate false doctrine must be rebuked, and rebuked sharply.
Titus 1:13-14, “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”
This was so important that Paul kept on stressing it, imploring ministers of the gospel “speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1-2) because when sound doctrine is tossed into the trash can, then the witness of Christ can no longer be upheld.
It is sad that Christianity, which must be at the centre of every sound doctrine, has been taken out to be replaced by feel-good motivational teachings about riches and success. Our mandate is to preach Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). God bless you.
Phillip Chidavaenzi is the author of The Gospel of Grace: From the Old to the New Testament (2016) and Walking in the Spirit (2017). He is a part-time, voluntary lecturer at Redeeming the Nations Bible Institute in Harare.
