I am somewhat surprised by the attitudes of many that are the victims of false preachers. They appear to have a verse or two that they misunderstand, yet they cling violently to their misunderstandings while ignoring the verses that describe their false preachers.
II Corinthians 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
II Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed
into an angel of light.
II Corinthians 11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall
be according to their works.
Somehow these false preachers have convinced them that their "claim to believe" supersedes any clear commandment, which they will then ignorantly label as "legalistic". It is that scenario and other false teachings that the Bible says would have APPEAL to those who don't wish to be bothered with the truth.
II Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
II Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears;
II Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth,
and shall be turned unto fables.
People in false churches don't want to "hear the Word", they want more sweet sounding fables about how they are "saved" even though they often haven't even begun to meet the Biblical criteria for salvation. The false preachers have so twisted their minds that I believe some are actually afraid to obey the Bible for fear of losing their "fable religion". What they need to understand is that these "fable denominal religions" do NOT lead anywhere but hell.
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
The sweet reassuring smile of the denominal trinitarian preacher will appear in a whole new light when illuminated by the lake of fire.
So many wrestle with the scripture, but remain in false doctrine.
II Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of
God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat.
II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
II Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things,
be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and
blameless.
II Peter 3:15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is]
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the
wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
II Peter 3:16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
II Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Many false Christians do much study, but are unable to see basic truths, people actually believe that they can be Christian without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, or they claim to have the Holy Ghost even though they've never spoken in tongues. They really think that their misunderstanding of the scriptures concerning "belief" and "believeth" will save them; and they use that to ignore the truth of the Word of God. They mock at the basic Biblical teachings of holy living and decency, preferring the standards of the "world". And they brazenly lead their families to hell.
II Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth.
II Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these
also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
II Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived.
II Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast
learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned
[them];
II Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.
II Timothy 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and
[is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:
* Some just want the scriptures that speak of belief, and feel that they can ignore the rest, at will; but they are not really honest. Often they just feel in their hearts that they are "saved" even though they have never really obeyed Acts 2:38. God uses a special word to describe people like that:*
PRO 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
See what God has to say about those who wrest with the scripture rather than simply obeying it because they just know in their heart that they are saved? Did you see what God calls people like that?
Rev. Steve Winter