3 If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions,
5 and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit.
Vs. 3: - If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness,
"spreads false teachings" - This boils down to any teaching that contradicts the Lord Jesus Christ, that of Paul, Peter, John, and James. Here we are 2000 years after Christ's resurrection, and we know there are heresies. Sometimes it is hard to imagine that less than 30 years after the world changing 'Easter' event, the church could be bedeviled by false teachings. In reality, lies started almost immediately.
For example:'Gnosticism', which denied that Jesus existed as a physical being (an extremely simplified version) was one the first heresies. The Jewish leaders, at the time of the crucifixion, attempted to deny Christ had risen from the dead and the body was stolen. (O.K. Imagine a couple of fishermen taking out a squad of Roman soldiers guarding the tomb. These are equivalent to U.S. Army Rangers or Marines - the best in the world. It ain't happening!)
Today we have people saying it can’t be proved scientifically. Probably not. But look at the lives changed - the proof is there.
Unfortunately, there are people claiming to have the answers, or claiming to be the return of the Messiah. Be careful for they are making claims that cannot be supported by Jesus' teaching, or
that of the apostles.
"conceited and understands nothing" - The teaching of those of us who are not the apostles or Jesus, must be compared to the words of the Lord and the apostles. Look in the gospels and the writings in the New Testament. There are people who claim to have new and previously hidden knowledge. They claim to have the answers. If the new and previously hidden knowledge contradicts Christ's words - it is wrong. What is 'known' by these people is not known at all. See: 1 Cor. 8:2. False knowledge is not knowledge at all, but lies. That way leads to death. Those who lead you to death obviously do not understand the gospel, and who Christ is. See: Acts 4:12, 20:32.
"unhealthy interest" - The reasons for preaching and teaching doctrines that contradict Scripture are hardly ever for your benefit. The reasons are usually for personal gain. Sometimes the 'gain' is self-aggrandizement, seeing if you and other people can be bent to 'their way of thinking'.
"controversies and verbal disputes" - Some of our biggest disagreements come from trying to determine the meaning of words. And then there are people who delight in being contrary. I have worked with people that do this. One guy, "Jim", seemed to have the contrarianism down to a science. He had an objection to whatever engineering decisions were forwarded. Sometimes it seemed his objections were unfounded, and sometimes they were just plain frustrating. One time Jim so frustrated a fellow engineer, that engineer shoved Jim up against a wall and shouted in his face. Jim had crossed the line, and was quiet for a while (only for a while.) Sometimes the purpose for the controversies are to create division in the body, and pull people away.
"envy" - A growing root of bitterness toward others because of a desire. If you can make people want something they don't have, especially if they think it was gotten unfairly - envy can grow. (This is profoundly different than living the Christian life in such a way that people will want to know Jesus because of the joy in your heart.)
"dissension" - This is the kind of upset in a church that would seem to come from Satan. One of the best things (in terms of destroying the witness of the church) Satan can do is promote dissension, division, arguments, and quarrels within the church body. Note: these arguments are seldom over important doctrinal issues, but more over the color of the cushions on the chairs, or robes for the choir, or guitar versus organ and piano for worship. Dissension can rip a church asunder.
"slanders" - Dissension leads to gossip and slander. "Have you heard about 'X'? He doesn't believe in the virgin birth!" "Well. What about 'Y’? She doesn't believe in baptism!" I know from personal experience how these rumors (lies) can hurt and harm.
"evil suspicions" - All of this comes from the heart of Satan. If Satan can get the church arguing over suspicion, slander, and meaningless controversy he has slithered between us and Jesus. Our witness is defeated.
"corrupted in their minds" - Slander, suspicion, controversy are rot that starts on the inside and finds it way out into the church body. See: Matt. 15:18; Prov 23:7. It doesn't take much cause a breakdown. See Gal. 5:7-9 "You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough."
"making a profit" - Some will choose any opportunity to make a buck. The church is a non-profit operation. The preacher and teacher is worthy of their pay. Salary to meet their needs - food, clothing, shelter. What is 'enough'? What is 'excessive'? You'll know it when you see it.
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