How can we ensure our evangelism aligns with biblical truth, per Matthew 23:15? Seeing the Warning in Matthew 23:15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.” Jesus exposes zealous outreach that actually leads people away from God. The urgency is clear: make sure the gospel we share is the gospel He gave. Key Safeguards for Gospel-Faithful Evangelism • Stick to the whole counsel of God—no edits, additions, or subtractions (Acts 20:27; Galatians 1:8-9). • Center every invitation on Christ’s finished work, not moral improvement or cultural perks (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). • Keep repentance and faith together; both belong in the call (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21). • Urge wholehearted allegiance to Jesus as Lord; discipleship isn’t optional fine print (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 9:23). • Rely on the Spirit for conviction instead of pressure tactics (John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5). Practical Tests Before We Speak 1. Content Test—Does what I’m about to share line up, word for word, with Scripture? (2 Timothy 2:15) 2. Motive Test—Am I aiming for God’s glory and the hearer’s good, or my own success? (1 Corinthians 10:31) 3. Fruit Test—Will this message produce holiness and love, or reinforce sin and self-righteousness? (Titus 2:11-14) Guarding Against Modern Pharisaism • Avoid tying salvation to human traditions, politics, or denominational badges (Colossians 2:8). • Refuse to promise an easy life; Jesus promised a cross (John 16:33; Luke 14:27). • Let grace fuel obedience, never legalism; grace trains us to renounce ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12). Cultivating a Gospel-Shaped Heart • Sit under Scripture daily; the message must own you before you share it (Psalm 119:11). • Confess and forsake hypocrisy quickly; credibility flows from integrity (James 1:22-25). • Celebrate every true conversion as God’s miracle, not your achievement (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Stay teachable in community; the local church guards doctrine together (1 Timothy 3:15). Speaking the Truth in Love • Season words with grace and clarity (Colossians 4:5-6). • Listen well so you can answer with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). • Keep the cross central; it is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). Keeping Our Eyes on the Finish Line Evangelism aligned with biblical truth leads people to life, liberty, and lasting joy in Christ—not to bondage or deception. Holding fast to Scripture, we avoid the fate Jesus condemned in Matthew 23:15 and instead become faithful messengers of the King. |
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