These words are important for every Christian

There are three words that every Christian should know the definition of by heart. These words are often used in sermons and religious articles. All too often the reader does not fully understand their meanings, thus missing all or part of the message.

Heresy

Sadly, this is practiced by some religious leaders who gain an ignorant following of people who do not read and study the Bible. In short, it is the false teaching of the Bible. This is addressed in Acts 20:29-32: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

This again includes, but is not limited to, teaching that Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God are all three separate gods; claiming that people may become gods, Jesus somehow lost his divinity or that works alone can bring salvation. The most damaging is a person claiming to be part of the divinity.

For those who wish to participate in heresy here is a thought from Titus 3:10-11: “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”

Blasphemy

By definition, blasphemy is speaking evil of God or denying him or some attribute of his. This includes, but is not limited to, damning God, acting impious, mocking him or being contemptuous of him or any member of the trinity or his written word. This is evident in the Bible in many places, like Psalms 74:18: “Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.”

For anybody who wishes to mock the Bible, John addressed in John 1:1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

To belittle or mock the Bible is blasphemy and nothing else. On this subject I close with this verse from Matthew 12:31. “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Idolatry

Idolatry is one of the most practiced of the three abominations people participate in. Many people do not even realize they are doing it. Idolatry is simply replacing God with anything — cars, homes, job, sports, spouse, political system — that comes between you and God or the will of God. This includes trying to claim that God is natural in as much as worshiping rocks, trees and bugs. This verse in Revelation 21:8 may help a person understand the penalties of idolatry: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Any time a person is teaching, preaching, practicing, or participating in these practices should be viewed with skepticism and given due diligence. This is not my opinion, as the scripture indicates this in the Bible. I realize there are many more Bible verses that discuss these issues; however, for brevity I only include these.

If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

Mike Blodgett is chaplain for Lighthouse Chapel. Contact him at lighthouse_chapelak@yahoo.com.