How can we guard against false teachings as warned in 2 Chronicles 13:9? Setting the Scene: Why Abijah’s Warning Matters Today 2 Chronicles 13:9: “Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron and the Levites, and made priests of your own as the peoples of the lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may become a priest of what are not gods.” Abijah exposes Jeroboam’s counterfeit priesthood. The king discarded God-appointed leaders and replaced them with self-appointed ministers who served idols. The danger is timeless: exchanging God’s truth for human invention. Spotting the Roots of False Teaching • Displacing God’s ordained authority (v. 9a) • Elevating self-qualification over divine calling (v. 9b) • Mixing true worship with practices “as the peoples of the lands do” (v. 9a) • Offering sacrifices to “what are not gods” (v. 9c), a direct violation of Exodus 20:3 Guard Rails for Today’s Believer • Stay anchored to Scripture – Acts 17:11: examine “the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17: Scripture equips “for every good work.” • Honor God-appointed shepherds – Hebrews 13:7: remember and imitate faithful leaders. – Reject leaders who contradict Titus 1:9—holding firmly to sound doctrine. • Test every message – 1 John 4:1: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits.” – Galatians 1:8: reject any gospel that deviates from what was originally preached. • Watch for worldly accommodation – James 4:4 warns that friendship with the world is enmity with God. – True worship will conform to Romans 12:2, not to surrounding culture. • Guard corporate worship – Maintain biblically regulated preaching, ordinances, prayer, and praise (Acts 2:42). – Resist innovations that obscure the gospel message. • Cultivate personal discernment – Regular reading and memorization of the Word (Psalm 119:11). – Dependence on the Holy Spirit for illumination (John 16:13). Living It Out • Compare every teaching, song, or ministry trend with the written Word. • Support churches that uphold the exclusivity of Christ (John 14:6). • Hold teachers accountable with loving correction (2 Timothy 4:2). • Keep short accounts with God; idolatry often begins with small compromises. Promise for the Faithful Jude 24-25 assures that He “is able to keep you from stumbling.” As we cling to Scripture, honor godly leadership, and stay alert, the Lord protects His people from deception—just as He preserved the faithful remnant in Judah during Abijah’s day. |
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