Scripture:

2 John 10-11
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;
11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
NASU


Thoughts:

John commands a zero-tolerance policy towards false teachers.  Clearly this principle applies today, as it did then.  We should not be accommodating of  heresy.  One reason is the legitimacy we might appear to give to the deceiver.  In that way, we are participating in their leading people astray by our presumed approval. 

In John's culture, not receiving the person into your home was a sign of disapproval.  Today, we will more likely need to speak concerning the issue.  The right approach may not always be to confront the deceiver, but may instead be to later instruct the hearer.   In any case, we must avoid the temptation to sit silently by as people around us are being led into darkness. 

This takes us out of our comfort zone, doesn't it?  It is much easier to stay silent than it is to correct false views when we hear them.  But we cannot allow our love of peace to be at the cost of truth.  We must risk giving offense when souls are at stake.


Prayer:

Lord, give me boldness and wisdom when such occurrences come my way.  I need Your discernment.  Give me the words to speak that I might protect those who would become victims and perhaps even help the one in error, themselves.

Amen