|
SEDUCERS
The word “seduce” can be defined as “to lead astray usually by persuasion or false promises.” While the word is often used regarding immoral acts, it is used in the Bible of the attempt to lead people away from the truth: false teachers. Paul wrote “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived,” (2 Timothy 3:13). That statement means that in our day we can expect to find more of these “evil men and seducers” than existed in the time of Paul;s writing. Today these deceivers are worse: more plenteous and more outrageous in their false teaching. Paul in another place describes the evil character and greedy motivation of these seducers. He wrote, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly [base desires]; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple [trusting],” (Romans 16:18). Unsuspecting people are deceived by the “good words and fair speeches” of individuals who appear to be ministers of righteousness, but who in reality serve the devil. He made that clear in 2 Corinthians 11:15 saying: “Therefore it is no great thing if his [Satan's] ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” The promoters of hellish doctrines end in eternity in hell. Doubtless Paul was criticized for his plain speech against the enemies of the truth. Criticism did not stop him, however, for he was absolutely clear that his preaching everywhere included “warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom,” (Colossians 1:28). Warnings and teaching the truth are the two means of combating these seducers and their deceptive words. John also addressed the seducers with whom he contended saying, “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you,” (1 John 2:16). It does matter what you believe! Paul also described the methods employed by the seducers in his day: methods still in use today. Not only are these seducers capable of “good words and fair speeches” both in the pulpit, in books, on TV and in interviews, etc., they make use of human philosophy and the teaching of men. These seducers are men and women capable of reasonable sounding arguments that appeal to the natural inclinations of lost sinners. Paul's words regarding their methods are these: “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,” (Colossians 2:8). Seducers may quote the Bible here and there, but build upon a false foundation. They all teach from the same basic premise: that lost sinners by human effort can please God and so secure the new birth. Paul destroyed that idea and forever showed these seducers to be liars when he wrote: “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God,” (Romans 8:8). Mark those who teach contrary to this verse as seducers for theirs is a false and damning message.
|
