False Teaching by Christian World

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 22, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 40.

False Teaching.

By Christian World

THE most dangerous enemies of the church are not infidels and worldlings, but hypocritical Christians. An enemy in the camp is far more powerful for evil than one outside of it. One inconsistent Christian injures the cause of religion more than five rampant infidels. One back-slidden minister strikes a more disastrous blow to the church than a dozen of Ingersoll's eloquent lectures. In view of this, it is an ominous sign that so many ministers are departing from the old faith, preaching the "enticing words of men's wisdom," while they pretend to be the elect of God. These men, proclaiming falsehood from the pulpit, pandering to the spirit of the times with a perverted gospel, are the most powerful agencies for Satan in fighting the kingdom of God.

When, in the history of Israel, the destruction of Ahab was desired, and the Lord planned how to effect it, the problem was solved in this way: A spirit came forth and stood before the Lord, and said, "I will persuade him; . . . I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of his prophets." This plan met with approval; and the spirit, by speaking falsehood from the mouth of the prophet, accomplished Ahab's ruin when no other means could have prevailed. Give the devil "the livery of Heaven," and he will lead more souls astray than he otherwise could. Put the deceitful, flattering words of human speculation into the form of a sermon, apparently supported by divine authority, and they are made thrice as potent for evil.—Christian World.