Exposing False Teachers and Naming Them

In today's Christianity, due to Bible illiteracy, many Christians think that it is wrong to judge others, taking Matthew 7:1 out of context especially if 'judging others' would involve men of God such as pastors or preachers. But what if these pastors consciously lead their flocks onto dangerous grounds and teaching things that are contrary to sound doctrine? Would you not warn others about them? Would you just keep quiet because, well, after all the Bible says, "judge not, that you be not judged"? 

The Bible warns us many times about deceivers in these last days that would incessantly try to deceive many, even the elect, if possible, and that's the reason why we are being admonished to be sober and vigilant at all times. And because of the love we have for others, we should be in our earnest to warn them of the ravenous wolves in sheeps' clothings. But sadly, when some discerning brothers would try to warn  their brethren about such wolves, ironically they are the ones labeled as wolves themselves.

Exposing teachers, and workers who stray from the truth and naming them is nothing new in the New Testament, in fact the apostle Paul and even John himself named a few of them in their epistles. 

• Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. ~ 1 Timothy 1:20

• This you know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. ~ 2 Timothy 1:15

• And their word will eat as does a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. ~ 2 Timothy 2: 17-18

• Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. ~ 2 Timothy 2: 3:8

• For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ~ 2 Timothy 4:10

• Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be you ware also; for he has greatly withstood our words. ~ 2 Timothy 4:14-15

• I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who love to have the preeminence among them, receive us not. Why, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, prating us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither he himself receive the brothers, and forbids them that would, and cast them out of the church. ~ 3 John 1:9-10

• Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. ~ Jude 1:11

We need to know our enemies and should call them by their names. By exposing and naming false teachers, you are helping others to be aware of their lies, and by doing so you are putting to rest all the confusions that arise within the congregation. Paul says in Romans 16:17, Now I beseech you, brothers, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. In Ephesians 5: 11, Paul says, And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. ~ Acts 20: 28-31

For the Love of Money

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive..." (2 Timothy 3: 1-5)

As the ninth child in a brood of ten, being a product of an over- populated home had never been easy. First things first: food. Though it was not much of a dire issue, it never came by easily. Vivid memories of my parents running from pillar to post so that there was food on the table, still linger in me. Sending us to school let alone finish high school was already deemed a bounty.

In 4th grade, I envy my classmate Garry for his daily "baon" of Ovaltine powder that was neatly wrapped in green cellophane. I thought they were rich for being able to afford it. He would sniff at it and teasingly parade on our faces as he stuffs his mouth. I would look at my classmates' glossy notebooks while mine were a tailor-made salvaged from some unused pages from the  previous year. Those were fine memories that bring  smiles to me nonetheless.

A lot of people have gone through so much in their lives - poverty, poor health, oppression, getting marginalized and the list goes on. I have seen on TV people who have won lotteries and became instant millionaires. They tell stories of wastefulness as soon as they get rich, - how they satisfied themselves with all the things they lacked and even going the extremes till they see themselves going down the drain with no hope.

There was also this one episode sometime ago in a GMA public affairs program of an old woman in Leyte in her early seventies who was left to care for her three little grandchildren whose mother ventured to work in Manila and not to be heard again after a few years. Their decrepit house had no lights save for the generous night sky that lights up their house when it's full moon. Needless to say, they would prefer it doesn't rain a lot. She gathers firewood and sells them for a meal but not enough to get by. Understandably, she would forgo her share so that her grandchildren don't go to bed hungry from a scant meal. I can feel every tear she shed, and the sight of calluses in her bare feet stalked by the camera added up to the pity every viewer felt for her frail and bony frame. How much more  pain should she endure daily?

Sometimes when we're not confronted with this kind of reality, we seem to have lost touch with what is happening around us especially when we are literally swimming in the comforts of our achievements. Then very basic questions in life come to mind. With so much poverty around us, still a lot of rich people have that insatiable cravings for more riches even to the point of robbing others, even a whole nation. Look at some politicians in the Philippines and you will see greed personified. And it doesn't stop there. Truth is, these things don't bother us a bit as long as we too are unhindered in our own quest to store up more wealth for ourselves.

The internet and social media in particular has long been abuzz with the corruption issues involving some senators who colluded with Janet Napoles to plunder the nation in a level not seen in history. Of late, a sitting vice president including his entire family has been embroiled in a massive graft and corruption allegations so blatant that you suddenly decide greedy humans can't be fixed no matter what. And we are talking here of billions stolen from the Filipino people by the privileged few. It's not for me to talk about details but the flaunting of wealth by the daughter of the Napoles matriarch is vomit-inducing you wouldn't believe all the while there already existed an heir to the so-called the greediest woman in history. 

Though most people got the shock of their lives for such a brazen display of extravagance at the expense of people's money, I'm not a bit surprised. I'm not talking in a perspective of a citizen who helps keep the local economy afloat but as a mortal being who believes everything in this world has an end. Even the world's richest men know that at some point they will let go of their riches upon death. However, it is only the belief that they can pay their way to heaven that keeps them greedy even more. It has been foretold in the Bible (2 Timothy 3) that in the last days people will be  lovers of themselves and lovers of money - such is a terrible time that we are witnessing right now. And this is where it gets even more scary.

Justice Is On The Way

The Bible says in Mark 8:36, "For what profit is it for a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?" In this world where everyone is busy storing up riches for himself even at the expense of another human being, kindness and generosity toward those in need sometimes get obsoleted when the love for oneself supersedes everything else. I am a firm believer though that God is coming swiftly with His justice and righteousness for the nations. Not that we should gloat at a bunch of robbers and bandits for their imminent destiny but we still hope that they change their ways no matter how sinful they think they have been because they can still be forgiven if they repudiate their sinful ways and turn back to God in repentance.

The Good News

God loves His creations. He loves us, yes, even though it's too good to be true that a righteous and just God can forgive even the worst sinners among us. Jesus laid His life for all of us sinners: robbers, murderers, idolaters, liars, homosexuals, adulterers, fornicators, everyone of us, even those plunderers. If we  repent of our sins and truly sorry for all the sins that we have done, then Jesus will forgive us of our sins and remember them no more. And He will most importantly give us eternal life. But who can escape God's wrath if we reject such a great salvation?

And The Bad News

It's just the opposite of the Good News. If we don't repent of our sins the wrath of God will follow us and He will come swiftly with His judgment that not even our gold and silver will be able to hide us and save us from His justice. That is the saddest news when people do not repent of their sins and refuse to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6) We might be struggling to find another way or some other ways imaginable, like donating to our church or giving alms to the poor or doing some good works just like what Oprah insists on her show because obviously she cannot accept that there is only One way. It's up to us people. We have been warned and lovingly told of the Gospel at some point in our lives. It is for us whether we accept or reject such a great gift of salvation. Sadly, many of us choose the path that we take. I hope it's not too late. We are happy to be alive today, but what about tomorrow? Do we know what tomorrow will bring forth?