"But he [Jesus] answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:3, 8, 9.

"The Pharisees knew a lot about God, but they didn't know God. It is not enough to study about religion or even to study the Bible. We must respond to God himself." - Life Application Bible, p. 1594.

"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, ... after the commandments and doctrines of men?" Colossians 2:20-22.

"We can guard against man-made religions ('the commandments and doctrines of men') by asking these questions of any religious group: (1) Does it stress man-made rules and taboos rather than God's grace? (2) Does it foster a critical spirit about others, or does it exercise discipline discreetly and lovingly? (3) Does it stress formulas, secret knowledge, or special visions more than the Word of God? (4) Does it elevate self-righteousness, honoring those who keep the rules, rather than elevating Christ? (5) Does it neglect Christ's universal church, claiming to be an elite group? (6) Does it teach humiliation of the body as a means to spiritual growth rather than focusing on the growth of the whole person? (7) Does it disregard the family rather than holding it in high regard as the Bible does?" - Life Application Bible, p. 2102.

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:5.

"The 'form' or appearance of godliness includes going to church, knowing Christian doctrine, using Christian cliches, and following a community's Christian traditions. Such practices can make a person look good, but if the inner attitudes of belief, love, and worship are lacking, the outer appearance is meaningless. Paul warns us not to be deceived by people who only appear to be Christians. It may be difficult to distinguish them from true Christians at first, but their lives will give them away." - Life Application Bible, p. 2140.

False Teachers

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.... Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name: and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:15, 16, 21-23.

"False prophets were common in Old Testament times. They prophesied only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was God's message. False teachers are just as common today. Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. You can tell who they are because in their teaching they minimize Christ and glorify themselves." - Life Application Bible, p. 1570-1571.

"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 1:7-11.

"John instructed the believers not to give hospitality to false teachers. They were to do nothing that would encourage the heretics in their propogation of falsehood. In addition, if believers invited them in, it would show they were approving of what the false teachers said and did. It may seem rude to turn people away, even if they are teaching heresy, but how much better to be faithful to God than merely courteous to people! John is not condemning hospitality to unbelievers, but rather the supporting of those who are dedicated to opposing the true teachings of God. Note that John adds that a person who supports a false teacher in any way shares that teacher's wicked work. False teaching is serious business, and we dare not overlook it. It is so serious that John wrote this letter especially to warn against it. There are so many false teachings in our world today that we might be tempted to take them lightly. Instead, we should realize the dangers they pose and actively refuse to give heresies any foothold." - Life Application Bible, p. 2226.

"...Ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." 1 John 2:18, 19. [emphasis added]

The last time referred here indicates that John the Revelator knew and believed that ALL of the prophecies of the books of Daniel and Revelation relating to the events of the "End Of The World [Age]" were fulfilled in his time - Roman/Jewish War of AD 66-70.

"Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth." Titus 1:14.

Avoid Arguments

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Titus 3:9-11.

"Paul warned Titus, as he warned Timothy, not to get involved in arguments over unanswerable questions (2 Timothy 2:14). This does not mean we should refuse to study, discuss, and examine different interpretations of difficult Bible passages. Paul is warning against petty quarrels, not honest discussion that leads to wisdom. When foolish arguments develop, it is best to turn the discussion back to a track that is going somewhere or politely excuse yourself." - Life Application Bible, p. 2148.

"...Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith...." 1 Timothy 6:20, 21.

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." 2 Thessalonians 3:6.

Prove All Things

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

"We shouldn't make fun of those who don't agree with what we believe, but we should always check their words against the Bible. We are on dangerous ground if we scoff at a person who speaks the truth. Instead we should carefully check out what people say, accepting what is true and rejecting what is false." - Life Application Bible, p. 2115.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." 1 John 4:1-6.

"Some people believe everything they read or hear. Unfortunately, many ideas printed and taught are not true. Christians should have faith, but they should not be gullible. Verify every message you hear, even if the person who brings it says it's from God. If the message is truly from God, it will be consistent with Christ's teachings." - Life Application Bible, p. 2221.

Ponder This

There were only 18 true prophets (including Jesus Christ) mentioned in the entire Bible.

Discover a paradox by comparing 2 Peter 2 with John 6:26-58.

Our Response

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:17.

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness...." Ephesians 5:11.

"...Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." Romans 12:9.

"Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape." Psalm 141:9, 10. Compare: Psalm 136.

Be a modern-day (up-to-date-ager) (regenerational) vigilant seeker of the altruistic meanings and Spiritual Essence of Christ Jesus within and throughout the Canonical Scriptures. Where there are no harmonizing-true investigators into the fraudulent corruptive practices of deceptive allegiance of controlling any societal religulous convergence or religionist emergence; no matter how pontifically intelligent, convenient, good, apt, or well-behaved [they] make themselves appear or become publically, or even more so privately, they will never, unless articularly confronted with the Living God Who IS, become aware of their self-deludednesses, thus becoming the sheen of being life-lighted God's Way - real in their being unto God, "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15); so that [they] receive Him, and not be to others as they vainly are or seem otherwise.

For Further Study:

Hope When You Are Cognizant Of Being In Legalistic Bondage

_______________

Copyright 2008, 2009 Christianist Libertarian Fellowship. This article may be printed in its entirety for personal study and free distribution. Please include the following statement: "Permission granted by Christianist Libertarian Fellowship for Free Distribution Only - Never To Be Sold". "Buy [possess] the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven [He Himself] is at hand ... freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:7, 8).