p. 693 | Opposing Error by Baptist Weekly

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 44.

Opposing Error.

By Baptist Weekly

THERE is no task less welcome to the average Christian man than warfare with error. It demands personal sacrifice. It is often wearing on the mind, and it is hard sometimes to restrain one's emotions within the bounds of a rightful indignation. To be "angry and sin not" is a precept not a few stumble against when they "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." Nevertheless, error must be constantly and earnestly opposed. There is a relation between doctrines and doings and creed and conduct, which it is impossible to ignore. False views of truth in the mind lead to evil in the life. We see this to-day in its vulgar manifestations among Mormons and Anarchists, but we may also find it operating among people of refinement. Much of the crime of the day in defalcations and other immoralities may be ascribed to erroneous ideas of sin, both as to its guilt and penalty.

We are not to act doubtfully when we encounter error. Our Lord praised the church at Ephesus, amid its faults, "This thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate." And the command is laid on us to "abhor that which is evil." It is a serious question for many Christian people whether they have that deep-seated emotion of hatred for errors which dishonor God and his revelation which ought to possess them. There are those from whom an apostle tells us to "turn away." This, surely, would signify that they are to be left in no uncertainty as to our repulsion from their sentiments. But sometimes we are called to controvert error. To do this wisely and well our arguments must be founded on divine truth. "The sword of the Spirit is the word of God." The great danger is in our accepting teachings which are not really tenable, and which an enlightened interpretation would lead us to reject. To meet error in this day the Bible is still as efficient as ever, but never was it so important that it should not be handled "deceitfully" nor blunderingly.—Baptist Weekly.