Living in the information age has its advantages. With your internet connection you can get facts, biased information and data, as well as opinions on both sides of the same fence. In most cases you can find a website that has “all the answers.” This plethora of information, however, demands that we sift through it to insure what we are reading is true. You have heard me refer to Acts 17:11 many times. Secular information is no different than the Biblical interpretation Paul was referring to as he encouraged others to be like the Bereans. The problem of living with this freedom of information is that too much credence today is given to opinion. Reality and talk shows intensify the delusion. Today, there are rarely absolutes because “everyone is entitled to their own opinion.” I am NOT saying they aren’t, I’m just saying opinion does NOT always equal truth.
Sadly, one of the groups who have capitalized and profited from selling their opinions are “Christian” splinter groups who focus on controversial issues. They find their identity in pulling out bits and pieces of information about denominations, parachurch groups, or secular organizations to condemn them. They are looking for a way to elevate their standing as righteous or holding “special knowledge.” Sadly, many Christians possess limited scriptural knowledge, causing them to accept biased information. In many cases it is often nothing more than comparison, forbidden by scripture. Information they quote is often used from an individual of a remote group, far from the centralized organization, written as an opinion, interpretation of ceremony, or basis of what they feel should be deemed proper. Rarely does one person speak for the whole organization any more than a single human is the only one speaking for God. Be careful of individuals who have proof positive on “selected spiritual matters.” That should make you cautious. No human has ever possessed 100% of the truth except Christ. And, we only have a small portion of what he said. (John 21:25)
When someone tells you they are purveying “sound doctrine” and yours isn’t, they will use scripture like 2 Timothy 4:3: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” If they use this statement, it should perk up your ears, because in most cases they use it for controversy. “Sound Doctrinal” verses, like all else, must be kept in context. These verses address specific doctrinal issues, NOT the ones these groups raise. For example in this scripture’s case it is “myths” (verse 4) refers to other “gods” and Gnosticism, prominent at that time. In 1 Timothy 1:10 Paul is referring to lawbreakers, sinful, rebels, etc. In 1 Timothy 6 Paul addresses the point we are making – people create controversy so they can make money! (Hello, wakeup call!) In Titus 1:9 you see the issue is legalism, not doctrine. Preachers are trying to force Jewish law (circumcision) on converts. Titus 2:1 addresses Christian Church Leaders and the way they live their lives, NOT doctrinal concepts.
Kids, Jesus said this in Mark 9:39 – 40: “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” We are not to find “issues” or condemn other denominations or secular groups doing good to look wise and holy. Let God be God. Let’s remove the plank in our eyes before we worry about other’s splinters (Luke 6:41 – 42)
Love Dad