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THOSE WHO WILLINGLY CORRUPT THE WORD OF GOD

by Alan Yusko

It is really hard to believe that people would deliberately corrupt the Word of God and lead people astray. For a person to do such a thing they would not fear God and His reaction to their actions. Yet there are many deceivers out there who dare to do such a thing.

These false leaders twist the Scriptures to suit their goals for power, popularity, and wealth. Sadly there is no shortage of gullible followers.

After reading this tract, I would hope that each reader would take personal account of themselves. The goal should be to be a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ who rightly uses the Word of God. Everyone should have the goal of standing before God and hearing: "Well done my good and faithful servant!"

Even though Christians differ on minor issues, the major doctrines of the faith are not up for debate! Issues like the timing of the rapture, ladies to wear hats or not etc. really have no bearing on salvation. There are many such minor issues and saved people may disagree on one or more. This type of thing is not really a problem. We must all learn to live with other Christians and accept minor differences in side-issues which have no bearing on Biblical salvation.

Other doctrines are not up for discussion, debate, or compromise. For example God is a Triune God. He exists as one God with three Diving Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This doctrine is so foundational to the Christian faith that if a person denies it, they are not even saved! A person who is wrong about God and who He is, is wrong enough to lose their eternal soul! God is a Trinity and there is no room for compromise with those who deny this foundational belief.

Another belief that is foundational to Christianity is salvation by faith apart from works. This means that salvation is a gift by God and there is nothing lost man can ever do to earn or merit his salvation. God alone provided salvation and the sacrifice by the Lord Jesus was sufficient for our eternal salvation. We can never earn or merit God's salvation. Instead we receive it as a gift with a repentant heart that turns to God and away from sin and darkness. This is a foundational belief in Christianity. In fact all cults and false religions deny this doctrine. All the false religions teach their deceived followers that works of some kind are required for salvation.

MEN WILLINGLY CORRUPT THE WORD OF GOD

The Bible teaches that there will be men who will willingly corrupt the truths found in the Word of God. They will teach things that will lead people away from God and away from salvation

2 Cor 2
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Above God warns that there are many who will dare to corrupt the Word of God. Today in these last days before the return of the Lord Jesus many are corrupting the Word of God! The sad thing is that people will listen to and follow these corrupters of the Word of God:

Gal 1
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Just look at the above verses. Verse 6 warns that many people will be easily led astray by the corrupters of the Word of God who teach a false Gospel! Could that include you, reader? Do you accept and listen to false teachers who are corrupting God's Word?

Verse 7 above warns that the corrupters are perverting the Gospel of Christ. Perhaps they are denying the Trinity. Or perhaps they are denying salvation by faith apart from works. They also could be teaching that there are many ways to God with Jesus only being one of them. All these things are heresy before God and will lead people into false doctrine and keep them from saving faith in the Lord Jesus!

Verse 8 above gives a very strict warning to those who would pervert the Word of God. It is such a serious crime that such a person is cursed by God. I think it is very safe to say that to be cursed by God is not a good thing at all!

Verse 9 repeats the warning given in verse 8 stating that people who corrupt the Word of God are cursed. By repeating the warning twice God is trying to impress the seriousness of this warning. He didn't warn just once, but instead He repeated the warning twice! This means do not dare to corrupt the Word of God! It really is not a light matter before God!

OUR REACTION TO FALSE TEACHERS WHO CORRUPT GOD'S WORD

What should Christians do when faced with a person who is corrupting God's Word? here is what the Bible says:

Rom 16
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Should we accept people who corrupt the Word of God in the name of love? Should we accept their false teachings lest we be called "judgmental"?

The above verses clearly say NO to the questions. Verse 17 says we are to mark (identify) those who corrupt the Word of God. Next we are to avoid them. This means we do not attend their church if they are a pastor. This means we do not send them any money. Sending money to support a evil false teacher is giving financial support to prosper evil. This Christians should not do! Avoiding a corrupter of the Word of God means just that! It means stay away! Do not attend their church and do not send them any money. Do not buy their books or tapes. Have nothing to do with corrupters of the Word of God.... avoid them!

Next verse 18 describes the corrupters of the Word of God. These people are not serving the Lord Jesus. These people may claim to be great servants of God and make great claims about how much God talks to them. Do not listen as they are lying to you! Instead God warns in verse 18 that they are serving their own belly. This means they are serving themselves and have their hearts set on earthly and temporal goals. These false teachers want wealth, popularity, and power. Their goals are all self-centered as they seek to bless themselves. This is what serving their own belly means. Next God warns that the corrupters of the Word of God will use good words and fair speeches to deceive simple people. These false teachers will be very charismatic. They will have their ministry, nice clothes, and big rings on their fingers. They will be slick and very smooth talking. With their impressive looks and smooth talk, these wolves will deceive the hearts of the simple. As they do things they are just imitating their father the devil. Look at the below verses that give another description of these corrupters of the Word of God:

2 Cor 11
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The point I wish to drive home here is that the corrupters of the Word of God will look really good. They will look Christian and sound Christian. But they will be teaching doctrines of devils which will deceive many people.

Another point I want to bring out is who is deceived by these corrupters of God's Word? Verse 18 above says they will deceive the hearts of the simple. Reader, are you a "simple" person who can be deceived by a corrupter of the Word of God? I certainly hope not!

Here are some tips for those who may realize that they fall into the category of simple and have been led astray by a corrupter of the Word of God:

1) Read the Bible each and every day. The Bible is spiritual food and Christians need a daily feeding in order to grow and mature in Christ. Just as you eat physical food for your body, you need spiritual food for your soul. The Word of God is spiritual food so be sure you read it each and every day - without fail!

2) Test all things. Do not blindly believe everything you hear. Open up your Bible and see if what is being taught lines up with what God has already revealed in the Bible. If the teaching contradicts what God has already revealed in the Bible then just guess who is in error (hint: it is not the Bible!)

3) Obey the warnings in Scripture that we have covered and separate yourself from corrupt teachers of the Word of God. Avoid them! Stay away from them! Do not support them!

4) Hold fast to the foundations of the Christian faith and do not let anyone lead you astray! Be a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus!

Heb 10
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)




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