Defining Moments

Test the Spirits…

In 1 John, the Apostle mentions two opposing entities called the spirit of truth and the spirit of error (1 John 4:6). He encourages discernment when it comes to telling them apart. From the looks of many churches, some calling themselves “evangelical”, there’s a severe discernment deficiency out there.

I ran across an article online about a church in Denver, Colorado. The headline read, Evangelical Church Opens Door Fully to Gays. My first assumption was that this was a church welcoming homosexuals seeking to find help and hope in Christ, and that the church would lovingly lead them toward the truth concerning the biblical view of homosexuality and then encourage change. Never assume.

The article described a church and pastor that had simply set aside the Bible on this controversial topic. At best, they rejected and/or reinterpreted certain passages completely, for the sake of not appearing judgmental about this particular in-vogue abomination. The article described this so-called church as a…

…church guided both by the Apostle's Creed and the belief that gay people can embrace their sexual orientation as God-given and seek fulfillment in committed same-sex relationships.

[The Pastor] said [the church] is not a one-issue church but one committed to social justice. He describes it as "radically inclusive but still rooted in the essentials of the Gospel." The church discourages promiscuity and encourages healthy lifelong relationships.

[He] said he supports gay marriage and would perform same-sex blessings if asked. A gay man in a committed relationship sits on the church's board of trustees.

"Our position is not one of lenience, but a matter of justice," said [the Pastor], a married father of five. "It's not that we don't acknowledge the reality of sin. It's not a sin to be gay or act in accordance with your nature."

Really? It’s not a sin to “act in accordance with your nature”? Where did he get that? This is a PASTOR? Did he miss what Paul said in Ephesians 2:3—that we were once “by nature children of wrath”? Just because we are a certain way by nature, doesn’t mean that we should stay that way.

One way to discern that there is a spirit of error present is when clergy or others claiming to represent the church begin parroting the culturally popular, politically correct view though it stands in direct opposition to the biblical view. Their motives have nothing to do with defending the Truth and everything to do with sounding acceptable in the world’s eyes. Instead of promoting the gospel, they begin promoting nebulous, secular concepts like, “social justice.” Most can’t even tell you what they mean by that, but it sounds so hip!

Some might accuse you of living in the Dark Ages if you hold too tenaciously to biblical moral standards. They may consider themselves enlightened and you, intolerant and ignorant. In fact, if you boldly confront the spirit of error, expect to hear those labels—and worse (bigoted, closed-minded, judgmental, etc.)—hurled in your direction. That’s okay. You’re in good company, “for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:12).

Never embrace the spirit of error for popularity’s sake. Never deny the spirit of truth for fear it might turn someone off or even away from church. If the prophets before you had done that, there would be no true church from which to turn away.
“They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them." —1 JOHN 4:5 NKJV