If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you know that I have no problem calling out the wolves among the sheep. I have often times been attack for ‘judging’ these people, so in an effort to have a quick resource guide to point to at a later date, I am posting but a few things on judgment in the Bible.
And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. (2Ch 19:4-7 KJVA)
Yes, we know that this is the Old Testament, but Christ did not End the Law, He Fulfilled the the Law, so the ‘Old Testament’ is still of some use to us. Now, in reality, this verse has nothing to do with calling someone out on doctrine, but we must note that it is God who established judges.
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. (Mat 7:1-5 KJVA)
This verse is often quoted to the point that it is mere mud. Nearly every commentator will agree that the judgment of which Christ is talking about “is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up. It is not a blanket statement to overlook wrong behavior of others but a call to be discerning rather than negative.” (LASB) In the very same chapter, we are commanded concerning false prophets,
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. (Mat 7:15-20 NKJV)
Peter tells us,
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2Pe 2:1-3 NKJV)
Jude was not bashful about pointing them out when he called them,
These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about[3] by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. (Jud 1:12-13 NKJV)
Paul goes beyond Jude by telling us,
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. (Tit 1:10-11 NKJV)
Who mouths must be stopped is literally “whom it is necessary to silence”. Paul tells Timothy to teach against these doctrines and these people!
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brethren in these things (speaking about the doctrines of demons), you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. (1Ti 4:1-6 NKJV)
The duty Paul calls on Timothy to exercise is described in the NKJV as instruct, in the KJV as to put in remembrance of, in the LITV as having laid down, and the NIV as if you point out these things. The Greek word may be difficult to translate accurately, but the meaning is clear. Noting that the Greek word is used here as a present participle, which means repeated or continuous action, is important. Preachers are commanded to give their people regular counsel and advice on the reality and dangers of false doctrine. Preachers of Christ must teach believers to be discerning by encouraging them to think biblically and separate truth from error. Measuring it against the infallible and inerrant Word of God exposes false teaching. Listen again to what Paul says, If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ. The man who fails in this duty cannot be deemed to be a good minister of Jesus Christ. Exposing false teachers is a biblical injunction. In a faithful church exposing false doctrine forms part of the ministry of the church.
Paul warns us again that these false ministers are after the working of the adversary, not sincere people making mistakes.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2Co 11:13-15 NKJV)
As Paul was leaving the Elders at Ephesus, he preached a final sermon to them, reminding them of their duty, of his duty, and of the dangers to the Church,
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”‘ (Act 20:28-35 NKJV)
Further, Paul commands the Church to mark those people, brethren, that cause divisions. Paul has a great compassion for the Church, so much so as to not let even brothers and sisters to harm her.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. (Rom 16:17-18 NKJV)
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. (2Th 3:6 NKJV)
And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (2Th 3:14-15 NKJV)
Tell me, would you add or detract from this list?
FALSE PROPHETS AND TEACHERS…Benny Hinn, T.D. Jakes, Robert Schuller, Marilyn Hickey, Paul and Jan Crouch, Rod Parsley, R.W. Shambach, Carlton Pearson, John Avanzinni, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, John Hagee, Jessie Duplantis, Oral Roberts, Richard Roberts, Kenneth Hagin Sr., Kenneth Hagin Jr., Frederick Price, Creflo Dollar, Rodney Howard Browne, Jack Van Impe, Rinehard Bonnke, Joyce Meyer, Morris Cerullo, John Kilpatrick, Clarence McClendon, Rick Joyner, Hal Lindsey, Charles Capps, Robert Tilton, Ellen G. White, Joseph Smith, Kim Clement, Mark Charonna, Juanita Bynum, Brigham Young, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Jack Van Impe, John Kilpatrick.
