Young People's Group

Waging a Good Warfare (2)

by Mitchell Tan
July 29, 2016

THE GRAVE DANGERS THAT FALSEHOOD CAUSES

Why must we wage a good warfare against false teachers? It is because if we do not, there will be irreparable damages caused by the falsehood that is promoted by them. False teachings not only cause people to stray. Their “faith” can be adversely affected.

1. IT CAN CAUSE FAITH TO BE RUINED

“Which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck”
1 Timothy 1:19

When people reject genuine faith in God and the good conscience we can have, they end up with having a faith that is ruined by falsehood. When a person’s faith is shipwrecked, it becomes useless.

2. IT CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM TO SPREAD

“Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander”
1 Timothy 1:20

These were the false teachers! Paul wrote to warn Timothy about them. They were spreading this message of falsehood to others. Their message can spread like cancer (2 Timothy 2:17). They overthrew the faith of some (2 Timothy 2:18).

3. IT CAN CAUSE THE LORD’S NAME TO BE DISHONOURED

“That they may learn not to blaspheme.”
1 Timothy 1:20

Hymenaeus and Alexander were blaspheming against the Lord. They were bringing dishonour to His name. Paul spoke of how he delivered them to Satan so that they would not blaspheme.

FIGHTING AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS WITH FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE

“That by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience”
1 Timothy 1:18-19

How should we fight a good warfare?

1. HAVING FAITH

Spiritual warfare must be done with Christians holding fast to this precious faith in the Lord Jesus. We need this faith in the Lord to stand against false teachers and we must continue to do so.

2. HAVING A GOOD CONSCIENCE

It is also important that we fight this warfare with a good conscience that is guided by the Scriptures. Knowing the truths of God’s word and having a good conscience will help us fight this warfare well.

WAGING A GOOD WARFARE WITH LOVE TOO

1. LOVE FOR THE LORD

There must always be a deep love for the Lord as we seek to fight this warfare for Him

2. LOVE FOR THE CHURCH

There must also be a love for the church and the people of God. We defend our Church against falsehood because we love God’s people and we seek to fight for them.

3. LOVE FOR THE TRUTH

There must also be a love for the truth. We must seek to stand for the truth of the word of God against falsehood. Let’s seek to love the truth from the word of God and seek to defend it always.

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