Galatians 5:7-12

                                                                 Galatians 5:7-12

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?  This persuasion is not from him who calls you.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump.  I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.  But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.  I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

 

There are consequences to every type of teaching.  The difference is usually between who suffers the consequences and for what reason.  False teachings cause immediate damage to the hearer because they believe a lie.  True teachings cause immediate damage to the teacher because the truth is almost always persecuted.  However, from eternity’s perspective it is the opposite because false teachers will be judged by Christ while true teachers will be rewarded by Christ.  Paul strives to convince his readers of the truth.

 

FALSE TEACHING IS DANGEROUS: Paul gives several reasons in this passage for the dangers of false teachings.  First, they can distract those who were running well.  The Galatian believers were young in their faith but off to a good start until they were distracted by false teachers.  Second, they can lead us to disobedience.  Anything that keeps us from obeying the truth will lead us into a life of disobedience.  Third, they are persuasive.  Unfortunately, they have eloquence and seemingly good arguments that end up deceiving people into thinking that they are right.  Fourth, it spreads.  Like a little yeast in bread, it spreads and permeates every area of life and impacts the entire congregation.  The final danger of false teaching is that the Lord will judge the false teachers severely and those who follow them will also suffer under the consequences.

 

TRUE TEACHING IS PERSECUTED: Apparently, the false teachers were claiming that Paul had changed his position and was also preaching the necessity of circumcision for salvation.  One of the most dangerous aspects of teaching the truth is that your words will often be taken out of context and misconstrued to try to disprove or criticize.  Paul points out that the Jews are still violently persecuting him which should be proof enough that he has not changed anything about his teaching.  When we stand up for and defend the truth, we must be prepared to face harsh criticism and persecution.  The message of the cross was offensive to the Jews and Gentiles and must not be changed in any way to gain greater approval.  Paul demonstrates his anger towards those who are imposing circumcision on Gentiles by challenging these false teachers to go all the way to full castration.

 

APPLICATION:  Beware of the dangers of giving space to false teachers.  Understand how false teaching works and how tragic the consequences can be.  Protect from and warn others of these dangers.  Confront false teachers with courage and persistence.

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