Hello, people of God,
Today, let us journey to the book of Galatians and heed Paul’s warning on false teachers:
“They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will zealously seek them.”
Galatians 4:17
The primary theme of the book of Galatians is cautioning against false teachings. Paul was concerned about the churches in Galatia that had begun to abandon the foundational truths of Christian teachings and adopt foreign teachings propagated by Judaizer teachers who had entered the church.
“I marvel that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, which is really not another, only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”
Galatians 1:6-7
The foundational teaching of the church was that salvation is by the grace of God alone, received through placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ alone.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”
Ephesians 2:8
However, due to the popularity of Jewish teachings of the day, many Jews were hesitant to turn from the law of Moses and embrace the cross of Christ because it brought persecution. Christians were targeted by both Jews and the Roman Empire.
“As many as are wanting to make a good showing in the flesh, these are trying to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.”
Galatians 6:12
Because of this, the Judaizers taught that salvation comes by adding the works of man to faith in Christ, specifically the work of circumcision as prescribed by Jewish law.
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”
Galatians 5:6
Paul then outlines the tactics that false teachers used to ensnare people and lead them astray. These tactics are still employed by false teachers today.
Firstly, they “zealously seek you,” appealing to desires of the flesh such as wealth or sensuality, giving the appearance of genuine concern for your life.
Secondly, they “wish to shut you out,” limiting the supply of what they offer, such as special revelations or means of redemption, creating dependency on them.
Thirdly, “you zealously seek them,” forgetting that salvation and life are hidden in Christ.
To counter these tactics:
- Test every spirit, ensuring alignment with true biblical teaching (1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
- Beware of teachers who claim special access to God, as Christians have direct access through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).
- Remember to seek the kingdom, not the teacher, as they are mere workers pointing to Christ (Matthew 6:33).
For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:4-7
I pray these words help you steer away from the folly of false teachers.
With love, Paul.
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