by Cassandrah Batya

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue [is] but for a moment. – Proverbs 12:19

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 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. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth 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 7:13 – 23

The most disheartening aspect of what is happening to The Christian Church is the celebration of those within who are really enemies of The Cross or The Gospel of Christ. Many of these false teachers, prophets and anti-christs never reach celebrity status. The enemy, Satan, is contented to have them do his destructive bidding on a smaller and more personal spiritual scale. Our weaker, less biblically discerned Christian brothers and sisters are often left confused about what to do with “acquaintances” who are false teachers, prophets or anti-christs.

What I say when fellow Christians seek my advice is this:

“Ask the person to support what he or she is saying with specific biblical verses. You should always speak biblical truth and be prepared to give out specific Bible verses to support what you are saying. If the person rejects the truth of the Bible, walk away, pray for that person and leave him or her in The Hands of God. The Bible instructs us to identify false teachers, prophets and anti-christs and then avoid them.”

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. - Romans 16:17

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

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 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 deeds. - 2 John 1:9-11

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. - 1 Timothy 6:3 - 5

A Christian, who is young or weak in spirit, makes the mistake of arguing his or her point with the dream that the other person will eventually say, “You won.” The enemy loves this, the more chaos, the better. Arguments not only leave the believer upset and bewildered, but those who witness such events are left confused with doubts regarding what is true Christianity. The enemy’s goal is to discredit The Word of God by any [and all] means necessary. But our God is not a God of confusion.

For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. - I Corinthians 14:33

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

He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. - Proverbs 9:7 - 8

When Our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan, He did not argue with him. Jesus quoted Scripture.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. - Matthew 4:1 - 11

When Michael the archangel contended with the enemy over the body of Moses, he said, “The Lord rebukes thee.” He did not argue with him.

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. - Jude 1:9

A Christian shouldn’t look for common religious ground with an enemy of Christ with the hopes that a friendship will lead the person to Christ. Compromise is not an option. Christians should not agree to any activity which is not founded on sound biblical doctrine, even if the goal is to get the other person to participate in a Christian activity. A Christian should not maintain, nor pursue a friendship or relationship with a heretic. A heretic is anyone one who supports doctrine that contradicts The Word of God, The Holy Bible.

All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: - 2 Timothy 3:16

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. - Proverbs 17:12

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. - 2 Corinthians 6: 14 – 18

Our mission as Christians is to present and spread The Gospel of Christ in words and deeds. The Bible never instructs Christians to argue over biblical doctrine or compromise the Christian faith. The Bible itself does not even argue the point that God is The Creator, it simply states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1

You cannot argue someone into accepting Christ. God gives each of us free will. If anyone rejects any portion of the Bible, he or she is rejecting The Word of God, therefore Christ. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has not only forewarned of the consequence for those who reject His Gospel, but how we as Christians are to respond to them:

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. - Luke 9:5

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. - Matthew 10:14

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. - Mark 6:11

God has equipped every Christian with everything he or she needs to combat the fiery darts of the enemy. Everything a Christian needs to know is in the Bible. But each of us must study it and grow strong in The Word of God. An in-depth knowledge of the Bible, including memorized verses, is invaluable in the battle against false teachers, prophets or anti-christs.

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrew 4:12  What is your opinion of this article?