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Part 6 of 8 Qualities of the Heart That Resists Error

This series examines eight soul qualities that make us immune to false teaching.

6. Vigilance

Jesus taught his disciples to watch out for error. They must not be naïve about the dangers of false teachers. On one occasion Jesus warned of an especially dangerous group:

“Jesus said to them, ‘Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’…Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Mat. 16:6, 12, italics added)

So we avoid deception by vigilance. This warning shows we should be vigilant not only regarding individuals but also groups that have a pervasive culture of error (see Jesus’ detailed evaluation of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23).

Such groups are deceptive because they are humanly impressive. Leaven creates air bubbles in dough, making it swell. The Lord’s analogy suggests the false teachers were pretentious. Although impressive, they and their teaching were nothing but air.

Leaven is plentiful in our culture today. We need vigilance not only concerning the religious world but also concerning all we encounter in the evening news, at the movies, on iTunes and YouTube. Beware the leaven in the New York Times. Beware the leaven in bestselling books and songs. The same goes for sermons, Christian books, and music. As you read, watch, and listen, evaluate whether the content agrees with God’s revealed truth. Do not be a naïve sponge.

Fruit

Jesus says false religious teachers can superficially be difficult to recognize because they wear the sheep’s clothing of religion, not secularism and unbelief. Nonetheless Jesus has complete confidence that one principle will safely guide us:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15–20)

In the mind of Jesus, discernment is a black-and-white matter; look at their fruit. But to what kind of fruit is he referring? First, Jesus must mean the fruit of the teachers’ words. (Proverbs 18:20 speaks of “the fruit of a man’s mouth.”) Does their teaching line up with Scripture and the orthodox teaching of the church? Moreover, are their words in all situations, both in teaching and conversation, marked by godliness and the fruit of the Spirit? (See Matthew 12:34; Galatians 5:22–23.)

Second, Jesus must mean the fruit of their deeds. Bad deeds do not always show up immediately, but when they do they tell much. (See 1 John 3:6–10; 1 Timothy 3:1–13; 5:24–25; James 3:13–18.)

Third, Jesus cannot mean the fruit of success because the Bible and church history show that genuine, godly ministries sometimes have little to show for their work while false ministries can attract great followings. So the fruit of words and deeds tells all.

Suspicion

Vigilance is essential, then, but we must balance it with trust. Watchful people can take vigilance to an extreme that harms themselves and others. They can become suspicious toward everyone. That is unloving and off-putting, for relationships are built on trust. (See 1 Corinthians 13:7. First Timothy 6:4 speaks of “evil suspicions.”)

Suspicious, paranoid people cannot trust any church or pastor and cannot learn from others. They develop an independent spirit and may isolate themselves. They are wise in their own eyes. This too is spiritually dangerous, for we need others to speak into our lives and correct blind spots. Proverbs 26:12 says, “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Proverbs 26:12).

God created us for community and trustful relationships. So we need a wise combination of vigilance and trust.