Recognizing Heresy

Dear Victorious,

A friend and her husband have gone to a new church that is anything but right. They've ask us to visit the church with them. When we did, we were appalled at the heresy we found. The preaching is based on the pastor's feelings and points of view - instead of the Bible. The teaching isn't truthful. We've always considered these friends to be spiritually mature, knowledgeable Christians. But we are baffled over how they could be so deceived. It seems they never really were mature Christians in the first place, and maybe that was all just an act.

Mr. & Mrs. T. - Kirby, TX

Dear Mr. & Mrs. T.,

Don't be so hard on your friends. The Bible tell us that in the last days the very elect will be deceived. Jesus told us about this in Matthew 24:24. I particularly like the way The Message translation of the Bible puts it. "...lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better."

You could try to speak to your friends about your concerns. But pray through that and make sure you have God's leading to do even that. He is responsible for the results ... you are only responsible for the obedience. And if God does lead you to address your concerns with your friends, you can continue to pray for them. Pray that they will see the truth, that the Holy Spirit will show them the what's right and what's wrong.

Perhaps the greater question all of us should be considering is what we are to do about the fact that the very elect among us can be deceived.