READING: Daniel 6-8, Jude
As I have traveled around the world, I’ve learned about leaders in God’s church who teach something different than the biblical gospel—yet the congregations they are leading seem to be growing numerically. Others who often view these leaders as great teachers seemingly fail to recognize the false teaching until it’s already entrenched in a church. Why does that happen? Jude gives us at least one reason: false teachers enter the church “by stealth” (Jude 4).
Seldom does a false teacher broadcast on a billboard, “I am a false teacher who denies the word of the Lord.” Instead, false teachers infiltrate the church, preaching something similar to biblical teachings just enough to deceive others who unsuspectingly accept their doctrines. At the same time, they often offer temporary gain (e.g., health and wealth as “the blessing of God”) that is so alluring that no one wants to hear anything different. They pervert the gospel into whatever their crowd wants to hear, and they eradicate the cost of following Jesus in the process.
The point? We must know God’s truth, recognize when other distort it, and stand up for biblical faith. Genuine Christ-followers who live in the light ought to be prepared and willing to confront those who distort the gospel.
PRAYER: “God, help me to recognize false teaching.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Ask God to help you stand for the true gospel today.
TOMORROW’S READING: Daniel 9-12, Revelation 1:1-2:7
