“7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves so you dont lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and dont say, “Welcome,” to him; 11 for the one who says, “Welcome,” to him shares in his evil works.”
2 John 7-11
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The root of all of our teaching has to remain where it was presented to us from the Spirit and the Word. This rooting in truth, the truth of Christ, is what maintains the integrity of the Gospel message. Those who have no respect for the Word and the authority that is inherent within it will take the message of Christ and twist and shape it to meet their own fleshly, sin-driven requirements. Sin at work in us compels us to try to justify ourselves, to find logical reasons for our actions, attitudes and philosphies. We want to feel good about the decisions we’ve made, and every human being desires to stand unashamed. But the reality is, that if we stand apart from God, if we refuse His truth, then we stand only on self and in sin. Self-justified behavior seeks to be approve by others, and since it seeks approval, it will dismiss anything that stands opposed to it.

It is common to hear the argument, “That’s what that meant for that time in that context, but the author didn’t really mean…” and they proceed to build their case why the Scriptures, or your interpretation of them, are wrong, and why we need to side with their understanding. And once that course of justification and rationalization begins, it’s all downhill from there. One sidestep leads to another, to avoid the message of the truth, the next side-step leads to a skip, a jump and then you’re off on your own course, a morality of your own making and a pseudo-truth that allows for whatever behavior you desire.

And so John, rightfully, warns against these teachers, these false teachers, who would come into the assembly and preach a different truth, and accordingly, a different gospel. He also warns against association with these indiviuals, because our comforting them works as a vote in their favor and further justification for the lies they have constructed. As we seek to GoLove others in the Name of Christ, in obedience to the great commission and the great commandment, we must also be bearers and defenders of the truth of that Gospel that compels us. We cannot compromise, we cannot seek out other paths. And in order for us to be aware of what false teaching is, we must also be aware of the fullness of truth as laid out in the Word of God.
This requires daily devotion and study. It compels us to dig deeper, and to seek out His face, His will and His heart as we take up and read.

False teachers eventually self implode or expose their ignorance and falsehood, but the one who stands with God in His truth will never be put to shame.