Spinach

I don’t like spinach, in fact I hate it. It has no place on my plate or in my diet. It’s the feel of the stuff in my mouth as well. It might make Popeye stronger, but that’s just a cartoon. Truth is, I have never tasted spinach so my opinion holds no weight, does it? Why should I criticise something I know nothing about?

Sometimes I tune into a radio phone in show in the mornings, and today the subject was “Is religion relevant in our day and age?” Typically, there was a mix of responses ranging from people who live their faith, right through to those who would have nothing to do with any church in spite of the fact that they have never been inside one. They had taken their opinion from the media who report the wars around the world and they see the major root cause as religion. Hence the analogy to spinach at the start of this piece.

Based on second and third hand information, the callous caller had already decided that religion and faith was nothing to him, and easily discarded straight into the dustbin of life. He couldn’t see an ounce of good or credibility in any religion of any kind, not just Christianity.

Time for another truth and confession. There are some Christian beliefs held dear to others that I just can’t accept. On top of that, there are some Christians that I just can’t get close enough to like. This revelation is like the example of me not liking spinach in spite of the fact that I have never tasted it. The same becomes true of my attitude to other Christian’s beliefs and personalities. Somehow I don’t think I am alone in this confession. I’m sure there are others but we are not so good at coming clean, are we?

So, what to do? Should I try the spinach? Or is my reluctance due to God working in my life helping me to avoid false teachings, and yes even people? Until I am led by the Spirit of God I will refrain from the spinach in the meantime. After all, is it such a bad thing to avoid, and be protected from bad or suspect teachings, and teachers?

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.                    2 Peter 2:1,2 NIV

False Teachers

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:43-48

I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 1 Corinthians 6:5-7

​Like you, I have heard a lot about false teachers, and the harm they can undoubtedly cause the family of God.​ I hear it almost exclusively on social media, where it looks like just about every popular speaker or teacher is ‘called out’. All that is, except the ones who point the finger. There are some questions I find myself asking, and they are these:

The definition of a false prophet or teacher is given as: “In religion, one who falsely claims the gift of prophecy or divine inspiration, or who uses that gift for evil ends.”

Who exactly is doing the calling out, and what are their own credentials? There are many doing it, and they do not speak with one voice.

When we start judging like this, we fall into our own trap when we tell others not to judge. We are then in danger of being proud, and not humble.

“The Bible says” is always the reason given for telling us who the false prophets are, but is it possible that some verses can be used in isolation or out of context? It is no coincidence that the false teachers also use Scripture.

Who are being told about these dangerous teachers? Usually a small group in social media, but never the person who is deemed to be the false teacher. If you are going to call someone out, should it not be the false prophet, and not only a group of friends who have no say or influence? Unless you need some kind of approval or consent of course.

I have found websites and self appointed teachers in their own right who have set themselves up as ‘false prophet busters’, who seem to enjoy a level of celebrity because of their own message, and who tend to attract their own followers who are undoubtedly sincere but following a human being and not the person who should be followed, Jesus.

There is a major issue of the example we are showing to others we may be praying for. If our own lives fall short in the slightest way (and we are all sinners) our witness is devalued in the sight of those we are trying to reach, perhaps permanently, or until a less judgemental person comes along who radiates the love of Jesus.

Where and with whom does it stop? I have found that when my finger is pointed, there are three others aimed back at me.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1​

​

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 17-25​