Have Nothing To Do With Darkness – Rather Expose It

Ephesians 5:11 is patently clear “Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.“

And this is not an isolated verse.

• 1 Corinthians 5:12 commands us to “…judge those who are within the church.”
• 2 Corinthians 6:14 states we are “not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.”
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6 advises that we “…keep away from every brother who walks in an unruly manner…”
• 2 John 2:11 goes even further, instructing us not even to welcome them or “we participate in their evil deeds.”

So, if the biblical command to reject and expose false teaching is so clear, why do so many churches:

• Use many of the Lifeway bible study series from false teachers such as Priscilla Shirer and Jackie Hill Perry.
  
  • Listen to Susan Heck, who personally has memorized the entire New Testament, discuss female false teachers.
    • Her recommendation to determine the soundness of a church – “What are the women studying?”
• Send their women’s groups to Beth Moore and Joyce Meyer concerts.
  • Read Pastor Josh Buice critique of Beth Moore here.
    • God speaks to Beth as she aligns with Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer and holds to “binding” prayers.
  • Read another review of Beth Moore from Jim McCraig of Trinity Bible Church, Willow Park, TX.
• Worship with the music from false Christian organizations such as Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation.
  • Read the review of the Unholy Trinity of Christian Music from Jim McCraigh, a member of Trinity Bible Church, Willow Park, TX.
    • What are young believers to think when the church embraces music from false teachers?
  • Listen to the following YouTube videos:
    • Pastor David Henneke sermon – Why our church no longer plays Bethel or Hillsong music.
      • “Now that I know, we need to make a change.”
    • Redeeming Truth – Why we won’t sing Bethel music in our church.
      • Again Ephesians 5 “false doctrine in music should be rejected.”
    • Why your church shouldn’t play Bethel music.
      • “Their music is being used as a hook to pull in unsuspecting people to their false churches.”
• Avoid discussing the false teachers that are all around us, from the Pope of the Catholic Church to the prosperity gospel of Joel Osteen in our own backyard.
  • Is it unloving to call out false teachers – review the Voddie Bucham Youtube video here.

Is it misguided love?

2 John 6 states, “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments…”

Truth must guide love.

Is it a lack of discernment?

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 “do not despise prophecies, but examine all things; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”

The Bereans in Acts 17:11  were commended – “Now these were more noble-minded…they received the word…examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

Discernment requires prayer and contemplation of the scripture.

It may be that some church leaders are simply unaware of who these false teachers are.

Is it a failure of leadership?

1 Peter 5:2 instructs elders to “shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not under compulsion, but willingly, according to God; and not for dishonest gain, but with eagerness…”

According to Titus 1:9, elders are to “exhort in sound doctrine and to reprove those who contradict.” Both are their duty.

What type of heart should the elders have? Proverbs 19:20 advises, “Listen to counsel and receive discipline, that you may be wise at the end of your days.”

Is your church having an issue with Ephesians 5:11?

Maybe, you should be asking, Why?