Harold Camping, whose claim to fame is his failed predictions concerning Christ’ return, has now decided to forget about evangelism and focus only on those who are saved. I wish he would take it a step further and just forget about preaching altogether. He has proven time and time again that he is a false teacher. However, if he is willing to repent and continue preaching he needs to get his priorities straight.
Having made a fool out of himself, he just confirms the fact that he is not in tune with what the Bible teaches by this action. Anytime we remove evangelism from our things to do list we are majoring on minors. After all, winning people to Christ is the first step in the Great Commission. There is something seriously wrong with a Christian or a church that makes no effort to win the lost to Christ.
It is sad to hear about false teachers who deceive people, but it is sadder still that so many people follow them. It’s like I’ve often said, “You can get on a soap box on a street corner and preach anything loud enough and long enough and eventually you will get a following”. History proves that is true. You can get people to believe the most crazy and foolish things you can imagine if you are intent on doing so.
Here’s the bottom-line –We each have to look out for ourselves if we are to avoid error. That means we must think for ourselves, rather than depending on what others tell us–even if they are so-called “experts” or “messengers from God”. In addition to that we must be well versed in the Bible. God’s Word is the only sure standard of right and wrong, the only source of absolute truth. If we aren’t knowledgeable of the Bible we are certain to fall into error. When all is said and done, it is up to us to protect ourselves. Never allow anyone to do your thinking for you and don’t believe something just because a preacher says it is so. With the Bible as your guide and the Holy Spirit as your teacher you have everything you need to live as you should (2 Peter 1:3-4).
We are in a spiritual warfare and your mind is the battlefield (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Our only protection is the truth and the only source of truth is God’s Word. Let the Bible be your guide and you’ll never fall prey to the false teachers who would deceive and destroy you. That’s why the Psalmist said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee”(Psalm 119:11). While we should blame the false teachers for their false teaching, we each must accept full responsibility for ourselves. Those in possession of the Bible have no excuse for their errors. God has given us the truth and He holds us accountable for our beliefs and behavior. Think about it!
