[Biblemat] S:> Spiritual Errancy
Ethan R. Longhenry
disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com
Mon Sep 17 21:17:09 CDT 2007
http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html
Spiritual Errancy
I. Introduction
A. 2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 5:14
1. Recognition of need to accurately handle God's Word
2. Need to develop righteous conduct
B. But what if people do not learn, or do not act becomingly?
C. This is a major concern-- spiritual errancy!
D. Let us consider this matter today
1. What is spiritual errancy?
2. What should be done about it?
II. What is Spiritual Errancy?
A. In one sense, all of us most likely have error
1. Romans 3:23
2. All of us still fall short of God's glory
3. None of us knows all that there is to know, or does
everything right
B. The Distinction
1. Should this mean that there is no distinction between those
who err?
2. As we shall see, not according to the NT!
3. The distinction is humility and repentance
C. Spiritual Errancy: Belief and Teaching
1. A large area of error is in regards to belief and teaching
2. What one believes and teaches does have consequences
3. James 3:1-2
4. False teachers spoken of many times in Scripture
5. 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Peter 2
6. Galatians 5:1-12 shows Paul's strong view on false teachers
in Galatia
7. Not just those who teach it, but those who accept such
persons: 2 John 1:11
8. Apostasy predicted: 1 Timothy 4:1-4, 2 Timothy 4:3-4
D. Spiritual Errancy: Practice
1. The other large area of error is in practice
2. Committing of sin is a deviation from God's intention
3. 1 Corinthians 5: sexual immorality
4. 2 Thessalonians 3: busybodies, not working
5. Revelation 2:20-23: "Jezebel" and her immorality in Thyatira
6. 1 Timothy 5:19-20: Rebuking of elder in sin
7. False teachers also known for false practices
E. Such, then, represents spiritual errancy
III. What to Do About Spiritual Errancy?
A. What, then, is to be done?
B. What do we do if we are in spiritual error?
1. Look into the Word of God to know what is right
(2 Timothy 2:15, Galatians 5:19-23)
2. If we believe, teach, and/or practice something not according
to God's Word, confess that before God and repent (change
one's mind) regarding the matter (1 John 1:9, Acts 8:22)
3. Confession (Gk homologeo, "to speak the same word") should be
specific, not general
4. Public, if necessary (James 5:16)
5. If a brother or sister addresses the matter with us, let us
remain humble and patient, realizing that they do so out of
love and not spite (Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:19-21)
6. By all means, however, let us change our beliefs and practices,
that we may be continually in association with God and not
condemned (1 John 1:5-10)!
C. What do we do if we see brethren in spiritual error?
1. It is best to follow the guidelines of Matthew 18:15-17
2. Some believe it not always necessary; hard to think of a
situation where it would not be best
3. First go to the brother or sister, explain concerns, hope to
win them back
4. If that does not work, bring two or three witnesses to confirm
every word
5. What then?
D. What if brethren continue in spiritual error?
1. God has not left us without doubt in this circumstance
2. Matthew 18:17: such a one is to be as a "Gentile" or a
"tax-collector"
3. Romans 16:17: watch out and avoid those who teach error
4. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13: disassociation from those who continue
in iniquity, not even to eat with such a one
5. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15: take note of people not following
Paul's instructions, have nothing to do with them; admonish
as a brother, not an enemy
6. 2 John 1:9-11: do not receive those who do not teach truth
7. It is manifest, then, that we are to sever ties with those who
persist in error, admonishing them to return to the truth, and
not providing any form of approval of their deeds
E. What is the fate of such persons?
1. We hope and pray that all brethren in spiritual error repent
and return to the fold
2. If they do not, however, the Bible is clear about their fate
3. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9: condemnation for disobedient
4. Hebrews 3:12-14, 6:4-6, 10:26-31: fearful expectation of
judgment, no more sacrifice for sin
5. 2 Peter 2:20-22: Worse state for them than at the first
6. It will not be well for them!
7. Importance, then, of working to restore such ones
(Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:19-20)
IV. Why Such Measures?
A. Why is it that such actions are necessary?
B. Why can we not leave such persons to their own devices?
C. Concern for their souls
1. As brethren, we are to bear one another's burdens
(Galatians 6:2)
2. We have the obligation to demonstrate disapproval of sin,
since we know the consequences of the actions
3. If no line of division or distinction is made, such persons
will feel justified in their teachings or actions, feeling
"approved" by Christians
4. Hence the constant command to separate and have nothing to
do with such persons (1 Corinthians 5:11-13,
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15, etc.)
5. They may continue on in their error, but they at least
know our disapproval
D. Concern for one another
1. Paul uses the same imagery speaking of both aspects of
spiritual error
2. 1 Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9
3. "A little leaven leavens the whole lump"
4. If false teachings or immorality are not addressed and
condemned, others will find no problem with them, and
begin teaching or practicing the same
5. Error, in whatever form, must be stopped quickly and not
allowed to grow and spread!
V. Final Exhortation
A. We have seen the nature of spiritual errancy
B. We have seen what it is and what should be done about it
C. Let us each consider ourselves in our lives: what do we believe
and/or do that is contrary to God's will?
D. Galatians 6:1: we must watch for ourselves
E. 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 John 4:1: we must test the spirits and
ourselves
F. Let us now purge ourselves of all error!
G. Songbook/invitation
Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com
Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio
(http://www.norwalkchurch.org)
Website: http://www.deusvitae.com
AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056
MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae at hotmail.com
Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus
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