“They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.” 2 Timothy 2:18b
The ‘they’ in this verse is referring specifically to the two heretics in the previous verse, Hymenaeus and Philetus. Paul mentions Hymenaeus in 1 Timothy 1:20 where he pairs him up with Alexander and says that he basically had handed them both over to satan. I know these are serious words. It must have been some serious heresy.
Each of us is obviously responsible for our own faith. But, those who cause others to doubt or stumble or stray are spoken of with words like Jesus said…. “It would be better for them if a great mill stone were hung around their neck and they were tossed in the ocean.”
So what is the teachable point here in the end of this verse? Destroying anyone’s faith or even attacking it is not ok. As a matter of fact it is unconscionable. Cults and false teaching are common. Many fall prey to all kinds of bad theology and doctrinal nonsense. Usually this happens because weak believers are not strong or firm enough in their own beliefs. We must be grounded and deep enough not to be led astray. Perhaps the greatest faith destroyer is our own shallow understanding. We believe anything if it works for us in the moment or someone is convincing enough. Hopefully you won’t fall prey to false teaching. Be careful what you believe. Check everything out in the Word of God. Talk to people you can really trust about what you hear being taught. If it sounds like it is off base, it may very well be. Protect yourself by studying and by asking God for discernment. Build your faith so it can’t be destroyed. Build it on a strong biblical foundation. Build your understanding precept on precept. If you don’t, do be wary of Hymenaeus and Philetus, they will destroy what little faith you may have.
In His Book,
Pastor Fred
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