Your Daily Devotional for March 24, 2006

March 24, 2006

 

Beware of Dogs!

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”

2 Timothy 3:12-14

 

Let’s face it, there is no reasoning with an angry man.  It is vain and useless to talk sense to a man who’s bent on arguing and being contentious.  Our verse for today warns us to be on guard against heretics and false prophets.  Listening to and rubbing elbows with people who display an antagonistic spirit regarding God and the Scriptures can hamper our spiritual growth.  Matthew Henry once stated that false prophets are those who have malice against the work of Christ. 

 

Missionary Rick Martin in Iloilo, Philippines, once told the story of a rabid dog that killed at least three people and 37 other dogs.  In the same fashion, one false teacher can bite and kill!  One false teacher can undermine the doctrines we adhere to.  We are to withdraw ourselves from a person who rejects or denies Christ.  2 John 9-10 states, “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 the Son.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.”

 

I know of a student in one of our city’s public schools who wanted to date an unsaved guy.  She was convinced that she would be able to lead him to Christ.  Tragically, the opposite happened.  The guy took her away from her walk with the Lord, and led her into a difficult lifestyle.  Philippians 3:2 cautions us to “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” 

 

The Bible also admonishes us to be careful in dealing with a disorderly brother.  “Disorderly” means out of rank.  A person may be saved, but may be living a life that doesn’t reflect an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.  If a brother or sister in Christ refuses to walk as he or she ought to walk, we should not let this diminish our own devotion to the Lord.  In fact, 2 Thessalonians 3:6b is a command to “withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”   Yes, we are to love them and pray that they’ll get over their sin or whatever spiritual issue they’re facing, but we are to make sure that it doesn’t put our own relationship with the Lord in jeopardy.

 

I sometimes get phone calls from parents of our high schoolers and college students telling me that they wish their kids would find “good friends.”  Nearness is likeness; make no bones about it.  We become like those we hang around.  We should ask God today to give us “Spirit eyes,” that we may be able to discern the wolves in sheep’s clothing.

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