Guarding Godliness: Discernment Against False Teachings

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I focused on the importance of godliness and the dangers of false teaching. I began by discussing the practice of godliness, referencing 2 Peter 1:5-8, which emphasizes the need for diligence in faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These qualities, when increasing in us, prevent us from being unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus Christ. I highlighted the necessity of building upon these virtues to create a life that is pleasing to God.

I then shifted to the topic of false teaching, which poses a significant threat to godliness. False teaching can corrupt our understanding of what is good and can lead us to exercise self-control in the wrong areas. It's crucial to have the right knowledge to discern what is truly good and to exercise self-control in accordance with God's will.

I also addressed the issue of genealogies and disputes about the law, as mentioned in Titus 3:9. These controversies are unproductive and distract from the true knowledge of Christ. I emphasized that salvation is not based on ethnic identity but on faith in Jesus Christ. This was further illustrated by Jesus' own words in John 8:36, where He acknowledges the physical descent of the Jews from Abraham but points out that their actions align them with a different spiritual lineage.

Moreover, I discussed the importance of avoiding false teachings and the need to be proactive in doing so. It's not enough to simply be aware of false teachings; we must actively distance ourselves from them to maintain our godliness. This includes unsubscribing from false teachers and not sharing their material, as it can lead others astray.

Lastly, I touched on the concept of avoidance as a discipline. We must learn to avoid conversations, spaces, and situations that do not contribute to our walk with Christ. This includes both proactive avoidance, where we use wisdom to not engage in the first place, and reactive avoidance, where we recognize when a situation has become unfruitful and choose to leave.

Key Takeaways:

- Diligence in adding to our faith virtues like moral excellence, knowledge, and self-control is essential for a productive spiritual life. These qualities must be grounded in the correct knowledge of God's will, as false knowledge can lead us to exercise virtues in misguided ways. It's not enough to do good; we must understand why it's good according to God's standards. [54:05 ]

- False teaching is a significant threat to godliness because it distorts our perception of goodness and misinforms our self-control. We must be vigilant in discerning teaching that aligns with God's word and reject those that promote confusion and lead us away from the truth. The enemy uses confusion as a strategy to make us vulnerable to false influences. [55:18 ]

- Salvation is by faith, not by ethnic identity or adherence to the law. Understanding our spiritual heritage is important, but it should not be confused with the basis of our salvation. We must avoid teachings that try to connect salvation with anything other than faith in Jesus Christ. [01:28:16 ]

- Proactive avoidance of false teachings is necessary for maintaining godliness. We must be intentional about not engaging with or promoting false teachers, even if they occasionally say something true. Our commitment to truth requires us to distance ourselves from any teaching that contradicts sound doctrine. [01:33:22 ]

- The discipline of avoidance is key to a godly life. We must learn to avoid not only false teachings but also any conversations or situations that do not edify our faith. This may require us to leave uncomfortable situations or to decline participation in activities that do not align with our commitment to Christ. [01:10:31 ]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Peter 1:5-8 - "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2. Titus 3:9 - "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless."
3. John 8:36 - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

#### Observation Questions
1. What virtues does Peter encourage believers to add to their faith in 2 Peter 1:5-8?
2. According to Titus 3:9, what types of discussions does Paul instruct us to avoid, and why?
3. In John 8:36, what does Jesus say about the freedom He offers?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Peter emphasize the need for diligence in adding virtues to our faith? How do these virtues contribute to a productive spiritual life? [52:01]
2. How can false teaching distort our understanding of goodness and self-control according to the sermon? [55:18]
3. What does it mean to be set free by the Son, as mentioned in John 8:36, in the context of avoiding false teachings and genealogies? [01:28:16]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any virtues listed in 2 Peter 1:5-8 that you feel you need to work on? How can you practically add these virtues to your daily routine?
2. Have you ever found yourself engaged in unproductive or divisive conversations similar to those mentioned in Titus 3:9? How can you avoid such discussions in the future? [01:00:29]
3. Think about the sources of teaching and information you consume. Are there any that might be leading you astray or causing confusion? What steps can you take to distance yourself from these sources? [01:33:22]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of proactive and reactive avoidance. Can you identify a situation where you need to practice proactive avoidance? What about reactive avoidance? [01:07:40]
5. How can you ensure that your understanding of goodness and self-control is aligned with God's will and not influenced by false teachings? [55:18]
6. Jesus said that if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. How can you live out this freedom in your daily life, especially in avoiding false teachings and unproductive discussions? [01:28:16]
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of avoiding spaces and conversations that do not edify our faith. Are there specific environments or relationships you need to reconsider to maintain your godliness? [01:02:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating Virtuous Living
Diligence in one's faith journey is not merely about adhering to a set of rules; it is about actively cultivating virtues that lead to a productive spiritual life. These virtues—moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, and love—are the building blocks upon which a godly character is built. As one grows in understanding and applying these qualities, they become a natural defense against unproductivity in one's relationship with Jesus Christ. It is essential to recognize that these virtues must be rooted in the correct understanding of God's will. Without this foundation, even the most well-intentioned actions can be misguided.

The pursuit of these virtues is not a passive process. It requires active engagement with the Scriptures and a commitment to applying God's truth in every aspect of life. This pursuit is a safeguard against the deception of false knowledge, which can lead to the misapplication of virtues. It is not enough to do good; one must understand why it is good according to God's standards. This understanding comes from a diligent study of the Word and a heart tuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance [07:40].

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." - 2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV

Reflection: What is one virtue you feel God is calling you to develop more deeply, and what practical steps can you take this week to cultivate it in your life?

Day 2: Guarding Against False Teachings
The threat of false teaching is ever-present, and it can subtly distort one's perception of what is truly good. It is crucial to remain vigilant and discerning, ensuring that the teachings one embraces are in alignment with the Word of God. False teachings can misinform our self-control, leading us to apply it in ways that are not in accordance with God's will. The enemy often uses confusion as a strategy to weaken our defenses, making us vulnerable to influences that pull us away from the truth.

To stand firm against such threats, one must be grounded in the Scriptures and possess a spirit of discernment that comes from a close relationship with God. It is through this relationship that one can recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd and distinguish it from the voices of strangers. By immersing oneself in the truth of God's Word, the believer is equipped to reject teachings that promote confusion and to embrace those that lead to a deeper understanding of God's will [55:18].

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." - 2 Peter 2:1 ESV

Reflection: Can you identify a belief or practice in your life that may have been influenced by false teaching, and how can you seek the truth in that area?

Day 3: Faith Beyond Heritage
Salvation is a gift of grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through ethnic identity or adherence to the law. It is important to understand and appreciate one's spiritual heritage, but it must never be confused with the basis of our salvation. This understanding helps believers avoid teachings that erroneously connect salvation with anything other than faith in Christ. By recognizing that our spiritual lineage is defined by our faith, we can embrace a diverse and inclusive community of believers united in Christ.

This inclusive understanding of salvation fosters unity within the body of Christ and prevents divisions based on non-essential differences. It is a reminder that the gospel is for all people, regardless of their background, and that the true measure of our relationship with God is our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ [01:28:16].

"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:26-28 ESV

Reflection: How can you actively work to ensure that your understanding of salvation remains centered on faith in Jesus rather than any cultural or traditional influences?

Day 4: Intentional Rejection of Falsehood
Maintaining godliness in one's life requires proactive measures to avoid false teachings. It is not sufficient to simply be aware of the existence of such teachings; one must intentionally distance oneself from them. This includes not engaging with or promoting the work of false teachers, even if they occasionally speak truth. A commitment to the truth of the gospel demands a clear and uncompromising stance against any doctrine that contradicts sound biblical teaching.

The intentional rejection of falsehood is an act of obedience and faithfulness to God. It is a declaration that one's allegiance is to the truth of God's Word above all else. By taking a stand against false teachings, believers protect themselves and others from being led astray and ensure that their spiritual growth is founded on the solid rock of Scripture [01:33:22].

"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." - Ephesians 5:11 ESV

Reflection: What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that you are not inadvertently supporting or spreading false teachings?

Day 5: The Discipline of Avoidance
The godly life is marked by a discipline of avoidance, which involves steering clear of conversations, spaces, and situations that do not contribute to one's walk with Christ. This discipline requires both proactive and reactive measures: the wisdom to not engage in potentially harmful situations and the discernment to leave when a situation becomes spiritually unfruitful. By practicing this discipline, believers safeguard their hearts and minds, keeping them focused on their relationship with God and their growth in godliness.

Avoidance is not about isolation but about making wise choices that honor God and nurture one's faith. It is about recognizing that not all engagements are beneficial and that some can be detrimental to one's spiritual health. This discipline is an essential aspect of living a life that is pleasing to God and effective in serving His kingdom [01:10:31].

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." - Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

Reflection: What is one situation or relationship you need to avoid or leave to better focus on your relationship with God, and what steps will you take to do so?

Quotes

"We rather be strong instead of avoiding... we rather try to be strong in spaces we ain't got no business being in instead of just not going into them... you involved in the Godless chatter why because you just didn't want to not know what was going on." [01:04:58 ] (Download clip | Download cropped clip | Download captioned clip)

"Proactive avoidance involves using wisdom to not engage in the first place... if you know that you want to sleep with him or her wisdom should tell you yeah I ain't going over there... why I'm about to go over there and try to be strong when I already know I'm on trash to begin with." [01:08:14 ] ( | | )

"We even need knowledge to be able to be self-aware enough to be proactive in our avoidance... avoiding reactively means that you use wisdom to know that the situation has become unfruitful and you hit the situation with the swerve." [01:09:27 ] ( | | )

"Maintaining godliness requires that we avoid these types of pro false teaching proactively means we stop listening to them... proactively says you're a false teacher I'm avoiding you period." [01:33:22 ] ( | | )

"Knowledge really becomes critical right it really becomes critical in our walk to have knowledge of what it means to walk and to live like Christ... the right knowledge becomes crucial in building up for useful and productive things." [54:05 ] ( | | )

"There's a very real threat if there's a knowledge base that matters then there's a threat to Godliness and that threat to Godliness is false teaching... it corrupts goodness... it has you thinking you're doing good telling you right." [55:18 ] ( | | )

"Salvation is not ethnic Bas it's faith base... the Jews in the Bible were called children of Abraham by Jesus... but your children of but you of your father the devil why he says because you're trying to kill me." [01:28:16 ] ( | | )

"False teaching always starts with opening your mind up by causing you to question what was and what is true... and then after he did that he made her vulnerable and where was her H her pastor AKA her husband." [01:21:55 ] ( | | )

"We got to see where this is going have we do we not know our enemy do we not understand that this is only leading towards separation and isolation so that the enemy can make you vulnerable to his lies." [01:23:23 ] ( | | )

"Orthodoxy didn't get created in the 21st century when you started Googling... Orthodoxy has been the history of the church since the first century... why are we letting people who just learned how to Google tell us that Orthodoxy is wrong." [01:25:19 ] (Download clip | Download cropped clip | Download captioned clip)

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Transcript
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