Topical Bible: Christian Liberty: False Teachers: Abuse

Bible > Topical > Christian Liberty

◄ Christian Liberty: False Teachers: Abuse ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Christian liberty is a profound concept within the New Testament, emphasizing the freedom believers have in Christ. This liberty, however, is not without boundaries and is often subject to abuse, particularly by false teachers who distort its meaning for personal gain or to lead others astray.

Biblical Foundation of Christian Liberty

Christian liberty is rooted in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians, underscores this freedom: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). This liberty is freedom from the law's condemnation, sin's power, and the bondage of legalistic practices.

Abuse by False Teachers

False teachers have historically exploited the concept of Christian liberty, twisting it to justify licentious behavior or to impose legalistic burdens. The Apostle Peter warns against such individuals: "They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him" (2 Peter 2:19). These teachers promise a false freedom that leads to moral corruption and spiritual enslavement.

Characteristics of False Teachers

False teachers often exhibit certain characteristics that betray their true intentions. They may appear as "wolves in sheep's clothing" (Matthew 7:15), using persuasive words and charismatic personalities to deceive the unsuspecting. They distort the grace of God into a license for immorality, as Jude warns: "For certain men have crept in unnoticed... ungodly ones who turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4).

Impact on the Church

The abuse of Christian liberty by false teachers can have devastating effects on the church. It can lead to division, moral decay, and a departure from sound doctrine. Paul admonishes the Corinthians, who were misusing their freedom: "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak" (1 Corinthians 8:9). The misuse of liberty can cause weaker believers to stumble, damaging the unity and witness of the church.

Guarding Against Abuse

Believers are called to exercise discernment and to test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). The Apostle Paul advises Timothy to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2). Sound teaching and adherence to biblical truth are essential in safeguarding the church against the abuse of Christian liberty by false teachers.

Conclusion

Christian liberty is a precious gift that must be cherished and protected. While it offers freedom from the law's constraints, it is not a license for sin or a tool for manipulation. Believers must remain vigilant, rooted in Scripture, and committed to the truth to prevent the abuse of this liberty by false teachers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning Christian Liberty
... and are done under the false persuasion that ... but boldly resisting these hardened
teachers of works ... is attained, and thus utterly do away with Christian liberty. ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... and are done under the false persuasion that ... but boldly resisting these hardened
teachers of works ... is attained, and thus utterly do away with Christian liberty. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning christian liberty.htm

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
... pathetically shows the unfitness of pitting against one another teachers who share ...
It is directed against some false philosophy. St. ... Christian liberty (viii.). ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter x the first epistle.htm

The Negative Side
... the second, relates to true Christian liberty; the third ... have (correctly or incorrectly)
imbibed from human teachers. ... of justification, the one false, the other ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... False or immoral teachers should not be tolerated, but ... more it is drawn away from
Christian liberty and from ... the Church has always used liberty (1 Corinthians 8 ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

Criticism of the Westminster System of Doctrine.
... with a view to impose it upon all teachers of religion ... (Of Christian Liberty, viz.,
the ... question of the Larger Catechism, where 'tolerating a false religion' is ...
/.../ 97 criticism of the.htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... Nero; but, although he regained his liberty, and afterwards ... are no sinecures in the
Christian Church, and ... injured by the doctrines of false teachers; but their ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and ...
... When the devil did wrest and abuse that passage of ... They should let truth have free
liberty and power in ... to this duty in a time when false teachers were going ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xvi how to make.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... sprang up in the first few centuries of this Christian era. ... some of the Word of God,
behold some false wind of ... While they promise them liberty, they themselves ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... him, and he thinks it is a Christian experience, he ... very common to find sinners quoting
the false sentiments of ... out into the glorious light and liberty of the ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm