Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. When we read the word heresies,
we most often think of it as a description of some form of
unsound or contrary doctrine, which is in contrast to an orthodox
line of thought. It is true that such deviations
from the faith once delivered to the saints is often the cause
of heresy, but the actual word which is translated as heresy
or heresies actually means disunion or sectarianism. Paul admonished
the Corinthians over this very matter. For first of all, when
you come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions,
that is, schisms, among you, and I partly believe it. For
there must also be heresies, that is, disunion among you,
that they which are approved might be made manifest among
you. Much of his writing to the Corinthian church was to correct
the spirit of sectarianism that existed in their midst over baptisms,
personalities, and social status. Now I beseech you, brethren,
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. God's
people are exhorted to love one another, forbearing one another,
and each esteeming the other better than themselves. It is
impossible that division and strife can exist when such is
the manner in which the brethren conduct themselves. Such schism
arises when men think they are something when they are nothing,
and consider that they know something when in reality none knows anything
as they ought to know. Only by pride cometh contention,
but with the well-advised is wisdom. He that is of a proud
heart stirreth up strife. The psalmist speaks of him that
flattereth himself. The same Hebrew word which is
here translated as flattereth is most often translated as divide
and or divided. So we can see a connection between
that which is called flattery and the division which occurs
as men rebel against the way of God and ultimately separate
themselves from one another as brethren. Deceivers often used
flattery to gain a foothold in the minds of the deceived, even
as the serpent used flattery to beguile the woman in the garden.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his
heart. His words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords. A man that flattereth his neighbor
spreadeth a net for his feet. So too do the prophets of free
will flatter the minds of their hearers and give them the notion
that they are the masters of their fate and that they can
choose to follow the way of God whenever they please. Thus the
net of self-righteousness is spread before them, and they
are gladly swallowed up in its clutches. Many were the nets
spread by deceivers before the face of the Lord Jesus Christ,
yet he withstood them all, even the onslaughts of the master
deceiver, the father of lies, which is Satan himself. Satan
flattered him by recognizing his station as the receiver of
all the promises of God. Yet Satan found no place within
him whereby to ply his craft of deceit and destruction. The
prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me. So that deceiver
which causes the sons of God the greatest trouble is not to
be found wandering around the countryside, but rather dwelling
within this sinful heart of flesh which is prone to its own lies
and feeds upon its own willingness to be deceived by those who bring
a message which exalts that same sinful flesh. Cornal religion
is the greatest net which is spread before their face. Lead
me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies. Make
thy way straight before my face, for there is no faithfulness
in their mouth. Their inward part is very wickedness. Their
throat is an open sepulcher. They flatter with their tongue.
The way of the natural man is described most clearly here by
the psalmist. He will flatter himself with
his own thoughts of self-esteem and the value of his own intellect,
even dividing himself from clearly revealing truth, as Paul describes. Because that when they knew God,
they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became
vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. The psalmist
goes on to set forth the result of his flattery of himself, until
his iniquity be found to be hateful. This same thought is repeated
by Paul when he says, and even as they did not like to retain
God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind
to do those things which are not convenient. No remedy for
this condition exists in men. Thus the backdrop is set for
Paul's declaration to the Corinthians. And I, brethren, when I came
to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring
unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know
anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. No
flattering words need ever be spoken in the declaration of
the absolute perfections of Christ as the Savior of sinners. Is
not this the unity of the saints? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.