Thursday, 2nd November 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: THE PATMOS LETTERS: DON’T TOLERATE FALSE TEACHING
THEME SCRIPTURE: “But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.”– Revelation 2:20
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Did you know that you are a product of the information you expose yourself to?
Our thoughts and actions are shaped by the information our senses are exposed to. What we see, hear, and feed our minds on influences who we become.
There is no dichotomy between what we are exposed to and what we manifest. In the 2nd Epistle of Peter, he affirms that false teachers will rise, spreading harmful heresies and distorting the way of truth. Notably, Peter highlights the detrimental effects of these false teachings on our sense of morality and indulgence, suggesting a direct link between false teachings and corrupt behavior, particularly in matters of sex and worldly desires (2 Peter 2:1-2).
Misrepresentation of truth also impacts our conduct and values.
In the letter to the Church in Thyatira, Jesus commends them for their works, their love, faith, service, and their patient endurance. While acknowledging that their latter works exceed the first, He also brings a charge against them “But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols (Rev 2:20).” A certain Jezebel is here mentioned who represents the deceptive spirit that had infiltrated the Church at Thyatira. The objective of this spirit of Jezebel was to distort the truth and ensnare God’s children in that Church to practice sexual immorality and idolatry. Jesus’ charge against the Church in Thyatira was the fact that they tolerated such falsehood to exist amongst them and impact them so negatively.
Both the elders or leaders and the congregants at Thyatira looked on without taking aggressive action against those within their midst who were peddling these false teachings and eventually many were ensnared in their seductions.
Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, the Christian landscape today is riddled with false teachings. Unfortunately, these false teachers emerge from amongst us just like it happened to the Church in Thyatira. The impact of these false teachings has softened our stand on holiness by the preaching of a certain kind of grace that allows sin and has also led many to practice religious syncretism. Truth is on trial in the public square by people we know and tolerate. The message to the Christians in Thyatira is a wake-up call for you to remain vigilant in this post-modern world that forces us to be tolerant of each other’s views no matter how harmful those views are. You must not tolerate false teachings whenever you come across any because failure to do so will soften your stand on God’s standard of holiness. God bless you.
FURTHER READING – Revelation 2:18-29
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- What actions have you taken in recent years against the spread of false teachings in the community you find yourself in?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to love and study Your word, and grant me a discerning spirit to always identify false teachings and to distance myself from such in Christ Jesus, Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
2 Chronicles 3; Daniel 11; Acts 11; Acts 12
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