Yesterday, the world watched high-definition video of a spacecraft landing on the surface of Mars after a nearly seven-month flight from earth to the Red Planet. Many watched on their smartphones. The technology that makes space flight possible fascinates. The technology that makes it possible for me to watch on my phone is wonderful…and dangerous.
You are able to read this because you have access to the Internet which delivers to you information in the form of email and a wide range of digital formats. Because you have email and online capability, you have more access to more information than the rest of humanity combined prior to the Internet. The information may or may not be true, may or may not be helpful, may be attention grabbing and useful or it may be captivating and a waste of time.
Some remember when the go to source on any given subject was the World Book Encyclopedia. Today’s school age children do not even know what an encyclopedia is. What they know is Google, Wikipedia, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and when they feel nostalgic, Facebook. So much knowledge, information, and wisdom floats in the digital ozone and is instantaneously available at our fingertips. Simply, it is mind-boggling to consider the information available to us at our fingertips.
That expanse of information continues to all things Christian. Sadly, not all things labeled Christian that appear on the Internet are actually Christian. I haven’t done the research, but it would not surprise me to discover that only a fraction of what is available under the label Christian is consistent with orthodox Christianity, historical interpretation, and accurate application. Which brings me again to Peter’s words -
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction (2 Peter 2:1).
False teachers are not a minor concern, an irritating nuisance, or a circus sideshow. They will destroy a local church, devour its members, and defame Jesus Christ. False teachers are the greatest threat to the church of Jesus Christ.
When you choose to listen to someone’s sermons, listen with a discerning ear and discriminating mind. When you choose to read the latest Christian book currently residing near the top of the New York Times Best Sellers list, read it with your Bible close at hand. When you follow a friend’s Facebook share that takes you to someone’s blog or Lunchtime Musing, read critically. Ask often, “Is this what God says in His Word?” Raise the question, “Did the apostles of Jesus Christ teach this idea to the early church?” When the author or preacher suggests something novel or new, ask how the disciples since the first century survived all these many years without that idea.
As believing people who think the best of others (1 Cor. 13:5), we tend to receive what others deliver in the name of Jesus. The bent to believe is wonderful when the content is consistent with God’s Word. The bent to believe without scrutiny is dangerous when the content is inconsistent with God’s Word.
Today, false teachers declare that Christian people who have enough faith will be healthy. If you are not healthy, you do not have enough faith. Other false teachers declare that Christian people will be financially secure, independent, even wealthy when Christian people give God what belongs to Him in the form of a seed gift to the false teacher’s ministry. If you are not financially secure, independent, or wealthy, you need to take the step of faith and give your money away (ideally to them), only then can God grow your money beyond what you already have. Still other false teachers denounce the Lordship of Christ over every area of a believer’s life. They reason that so many matters (think LGBTQ+, abortion, critical race theory, the limits of government, etc.) in the culture are neutral, and Christ has no opinion on them. They conclude a Christian is free to do as he wishes where Jesus has not specifically addressed the matter in 21st century terminology. The list of false teachings goes on and on. The proliferation of opportunities to hear false teachers brings their potential for damage to a whole new level.
I am committed to safeguarding “the way of righteousness” and conveying only and completely “the holy commandment delivered” to us (2 Peter 2:22).
I trust you are committed to receiving only what is consistent with the teaching of Jesus and his apostles and to obeying everything taught by Jesus and his apostles.
As always, I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.
To read past Lunchtime Musings, follow me at medium.com/@mikeverway
Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision