A Warning Against False Teaching
At this time we need in the cause of God spiritual-minded men,
men who are firm in principle, and who have a clear understanding of
the truth. I have been instructed that it is not new and fanciful doctrines
nor human suppositions which the people need, but the testimony of
men who know and practice the truth, men who understand and obey
the charge given to Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season,
out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and
doctrine.” [
2 Timothy 4:2
.]
My brethren, walk firmly, decidedly, your feet shod with the prepa-
ration of the gospel of peace. You may be sure that pure and undefiled
religion is not a sensational religion. God has not laid upon any one
the burden of encouraging an appetite for speculative doctrines and
theories. Keep these things out of your teaching. Do not allow them to
enter into your experience. Let not your life-work be marred by them.
A warning against false teaching is found in Paul’s letter to the
Colossians. The apostle declares that the hearts of the believers are to
be “knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of
understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of
the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge.
“And this I say,” he continues, “lest any man should beguile you
with enticing words.... As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in
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the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and
power.” [
Colossians 2:2-10
.]
I am instructed to say to our people, Let us follow Christ. Do not
forget that He is to be our pattern in all things. We may safely discard
those ideas that are not found in His teaching. I appeal to our ministers
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