NOV 17

Galatians 1:6-7
Memorise 1 John 4:1
“…Try every spirit whether they are of God and let the Word of God be your yardstick always…”

We have read how disappointed Paul was that the Galatians had so quickly started to believe “another gospel”. The Greek word used for “another” in Galatians 1:6 is “heteros” which means something completely different from the original. This is in contrast to the word for “another” in verse 7, “allos”, which means another of the same or similiar kind. Thus what Paul was telling them was that this new “gospel” that they were receiving and beginning to believe in was something completely different from what he and the other apostles had taught them. It was corrupt, heretical and apostate. This totally deviant form of the Gospel which taught that works were necessary for salvation should have been immediately rejected by the Galatians. They however had let themselves be “bewitched” (Galatians 3:1) by false teachers whom Paul sternly pronounced as “accursed” (Galatians 1:8). The gospel they taught was conceived by Man, in contrast to the true Gospel which is given by the “revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). Because of that, Paul called them “foolish” (Galatians 3:1) and says that they have “fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4). He marveled at how they had started so well “in the Spirit” (Galatians 3:3), having been made free from the Law by Christ’s redeeming blood, but ended up being “entangled again with the yoke of bondage” by returning to the belief that works of the Law were necessary for their salvation (Galatians 5:1).

Let us learn from the mistake of the Galatians in not recognizing false doctrine quickly and allowing themselves to be deceived by false teachers. They failed to expel the “little leaven” of heresy that had grown into a cancer invading the whole church. Certain church leaders who are admirable as persons or of high standing and reputation may blur our perception and we may fall into the trap of naively believing everything they say. Examples of false teachings they may propagate are the need for baptism to be saved, speaking in tongues to receive the Holy Spirit, ecumenism or the health and wealth gospel. We must not be foolish but rather, be alert and wise! Paul said that even if an “angel from heaven” teaches you something, you must ensure that it is in keeping with God’s truth. Try every spirit “whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1) and let the Word of God be your yardstick always.

Thought: Do you have any beliefs that you may have heard or read from influential Christians? Are they consistent with what the Bible teaches?
Prayer: Lord, help me to always be on my guard so that I will stay true to Thy Holy Word.