“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18) For me, and perhaps others who try to express the love of Christ to others, the “as much as lieth in you” part of this verse means that the best thing to do sometimes is to just walk away, but I find it difficult to do sometimes in regard to the truths of the Word of God.
When people begin to expound improperly on the Scriptures, I do what I can with the Word of God to assist them in seeing the truth, and I must be perfectly sure that the truth I am attempting to expound upon is indeed the absolute truth of the Scriptures.
I have lost count of all the people I have spoken to that are positive of what they believe, even after discussing at length with them where they are in error, and I try to give them as much time as possible to help them to see these truths, but there comes a time when the conversation must end, and I must walk away, for the old nature in me will begin to desire to say some very un-Christian things to them. “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matt. 15:14)
It doesn’t seem to matter sometimes, they want to be right more than they want to admit they could be wrong, and so they will not accept correction and reproofs, no matter how wrong even they must know themselves to be on the subject in question. Most generally these individuals will not only take Scripture verses out of context, but they will twist them to mean what they want to believe.
One must wonder at times the amount of deception necessary to turn a mind that at the same time wants to honor God, yet will not believe, or comprehend when the truth is laid at their feet. Sometimes they are minor issues, but at other times they are salvation based. Think on the Roman Catholic people you may know, and their response when Ephesians 2:8-9 is brought to their attention. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” They have been willingly brainwashed into believing the lies that they have sat and listened to over the years, and in their mind, they must believe or be eternally lost that some form of works by them is necessary for salvation, that what Christ did on the cross was not enough.
I recently spoke with a Biblically well-versed individual who believes in what is called “The Serpent Seed” ideology, where Satan had sex with Eve, and that is where Cain came from, I have spoken with those who deny the rapture, (1 Thess. 4:17) those who believe if you are not baptized, you are not saved, the list is seemingly endless of those who by some reason have determined that lies are the truth. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
There is no better way to ruin the ministry of someone who professes Christ as Lord than to confuse and deceive them about the truths of the Word of God, for they will spread what they believe to all who will listen, and no matter how much of Proverbs 6:23 is applied. “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life,” they will not listen. It is no wonder that the lost think we are insane, we call ourselves Christians and we can’t even agree with each other.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7) Truth, truth is what needs to be one of your fervent prayers every day, for only God can show truth to you. Once He begins to show it to you, you will begin to understand the word “Frustration,” for as soon as you begin to share His truths, you will be mocked, ridiculed and held in contempt by those who are blind to it. Here is, after a time, where I walk away.
