Let Him Be Accursed!

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, let him be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be accursed!” Galatians 1:6-9

A visit to the circus usually isn’t complete without a stop by the so-called “circus mirrors.” Remember passing in front of these and watching yourself grow like Jack’s beanstalk or swelling like a wrestler? We all giggled at such weird reflections; but when such distortions arise on the spiritual plane, it becomes more than a laughing matter. When false doctrine twists and perverts the true message of the Gospel, its adherents are in great danger. That is why the Apostle Paul had such harsh words for its propagators, announcing twice: “...let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8-9). Strong words for a deadly poison.

How then can we identify teachings that warp the clear intention of the Scriptures? One noticeable clue is a concentration on a single subject. We are to measure everything against the whole counsel of God. For example, the Bible does talk about works a good deal, but it does not propose them as a means of salvation.

Another is the elevation of the false teacher himself. The teaching of Scripture is given so that man can honor, revere, and obey Jesus Christ. False teachers usually are motivated by pride and greed. They teach so that their hearers can follow them, not Christ.