Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

Written by: April J. Buchanan

Exposing false teaching with the expectation that it will automatically destroy error or lead the deceived to repentance is mistaken thinking and leads to disappointment. Often, revealing what is false does not diminish it. In fact, it can make it more attractive to those already ensnared. The false teacher may even present themselves as a victim of discernment, gaining sympathy and a wider audience.

So why expose error at all? Because God commands us to. That alone is reason enough. We do not expose falsehood with the expectation that those who hear will certainly believe the truth and that falsehood will lose its power. We do so because we love God, because we are commanded to do so, and because it serves the purity of the gospel, the protection of the church, and the glory of God. The results are in His hands.

We deceive ourselves if we think that proclaiming truth will automatically convince people, lead them out of deception, or destroy false teaching. More often than not, few will come out of error, and some will even harden their hearts, maligning those who faithfully proclaim the truth. False teaching often gains a greater platform when exposed, and the deceived may find it more appealing.

If in exposing error we forget that our motivation must be love, obedience, and trust in God, and instead expect that our actions must produce immediate results, we have deceived ourselves. Scripture warns us that false teachers will increase, that many will love lies, and that deception will abound (2 Peter 2; Matthew 24:11). Yet this does not excuse slacking in obedience.

God is sovereign over all things. He preserves His own and will bring them out of deception. Our calling is to obey, to speak the truth in love, and to trust Him with the results. The proliferation of false teaching does not diminish our responsibility or the power of our faithful witness. The task is ours; the outcome is God’s.

Friend, the beauty of obedience is not that we will always see the results we desire, but that we act in faith, knowing the results are in God’s hands. In this, we can have confidence in our obedience and find joy in the outcome, no matter how it appears.

Grace and peace, y’all.
Soli Deo Gloria