We told our kids there are no absolutes – You always, I never
But there are absolutes – 2+2=4 agree? Facts are facts, but some don’t agree
Some feel Truth and facts are subjective
2+2=5 we are to accept this, no wrong answers, teaching styles
It has become a Violation, or sin to tell someone they are wrong
This belief has eroded our culture and the church
Worldly thinking – more wrong to point out an error than the error itself –
Seen talking to friends outside the church
Show an error about their belief and they become offended at us, not the wrong teaching.
Can cause us to lose courage to stand up for truth when attacked
Two areas I want to talk about when it comes to the truth
Hearer, Speaker
According to scripture the hearer has some responsibilities:
Test all things-determine if true 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”
Don’t believe it just because someone says it- internet
Avoid those not teaching truth Rom 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Listening to teachers that get it mostly right
One true Gospel, many trying to pervert it – Be skeptical Galationsl 1:6-11 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. “
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.”
Compare all things to scripture Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Be humble, willing to hear, not defensive 1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Kind and loving to speaker, not our enemy Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Take seriously duty to protect the truth, call out wolves in sheep clothing-not all that claim to be Christ’s are genuine. 1John 2:19 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.
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Therefore we can’t just be listeners, speak too. As speakers things to consider before open mouth (how often have I forgotten to think before I speak)
Be humble when correcting 2Timothy 2:25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,
When addressing false doctrine, false teachers stick to their actions and words, don’t attack person (marriage conference) Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
We don’t know everything-arrogance is ugly Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Speak and act in love, without love is ugly noise1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Love them that are blinded, enemies, even in our family or church. Mat 5:43-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Lastly speakers Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
At times hearers, hopefully speakers as scripture tells us
Some say to get angry at or act ugly towards those we disagree with
Some may act that way towards us
Social media- no contact, no filter
If the world is doing it one way we should strive to act another way, the way found in the bible.
By the way, 2+2 always equals 4, the sky is blue on a bright summer day and all babies are born as either a girl or a boy. There are absolutes and there are truths that we cannot compromise.
But there are absolutes – 2+2=4 agree? Facts are facts, but some don’t agree
Some feel Truth and facts are subjective
2+2=5 we are to accept this, no wrong answers, teaching styles
It has become a Violation, or sin to tell someone they are wrong
This belief has eroded our culture and the church
Worldly thinking – more wrong to point out an error than the error itself –
Seen talking to friends outside the church
Show an error about their belief and they become offended at us, not the wrong teaching.
Can cause us to lose courage to stand up for truth when attacked
Two areas I want to talk about when it comes to the truth
Hearer, Speaker
According to scripture the hearer has some responsibilities:
Test all things-determine if true 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”
Don’t believe it just because someone says it- internet
Avoid those not teaching truth Rom 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Listening to teachers that get it mostly right
One true Gospel, many trying to pervert it – Be skeptical Galationsl 1:6-11 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. “
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.”
Compare all things to scripture Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Be humble, willing to hear, not defensive 1Pe 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Kind and loving to speaker, not our enemy Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Take seriously duty to protect the truth, call out wolves in sheep clothing-not all that claim to be Christ’s are genuine. 1John 2:19 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.
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Therefore we can’t just be listeners, speak too. As speakers things to consider before open mouth (how often have I forgotten to think before I speak)
Be humble when correcting 2Timothy 2:25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth,
When addressing false doctrine, false teachers stick to their actions and words, don’t attack person (marriage conference) Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
We don’t know everything-arrogance is ugly Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Speak and act in love, without love is ugly noise1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Love them that are blinded, enemies, even in our family or church. Mat 5:43-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Lastly speakers Col 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
At times hearers, hopefully speakers as scripture tells us
Some say to get angry at or act ugly towards those we disagree with
Some may act that way towards us
Social media- no contact, no filter
If the world is doing it one way we should strive to act another way, the way found in the bible.
By the way, 2+2 always equals 4, the sky is blue on a bright summer day and all babies are born as either a girl or a boy. There are absolutes and there are truths that we cannot compromise.