7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from Him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view. But the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished.
12 I wish that those who are upsetting you would even mutilate themselves.
Referenced scripture:
2 Peter 2:1-2
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 10:27-29
Matthew 18:6-7
Quotes:
“The day will come when every error will be exposed and God’s truth will reign supreme. Do not be dismayed by the unbelief of liberal theology, discouraged by the spread of new cults, or disheartened by the slow decline of evangelical orthodoxy. The day will come when every false teacher will be judged for every false word.” (Dr. Philip Graham Ryken)
“Whether Jew or Gentile, all men are prone to trust in what they can do for themselves and are offended when told they can do nothing at all to make themselves right before God.” (Dr. John MacArthur)
“As we saw in Galatians 4:29, the Isaacs of this world are always persecuted by the Ishmaels. The Old Testament prophets found it so, men like Amos, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. So did the New Testament apostles. And down the centuries of the Christian church, until and including today, Christian preachers who refuse to distort or dilute the gospel of grace have had to suffer for their faithfulness. The good news of Christ crucified is still a stumbling-block, grievously offensive to the pride of men.” (John R. W. Stott)
First note the characteristics of false teachers:
- They hinder the truth
- They are ungodly and their teachings are ungodly
- They contaminate the church
- Their ultimate destiny is judgment and hell
- They persecute true teachers.