I’m not a big fan of resolutions because very few people manage to keep them, as can be seen by the glut of used exercise equipment around February each year.
However one thing you can — and should — do is make an effort to challenge bizarre heretical (but popular) ideas flowing through the church. Don’t blindly accept ideas just because they sound good, come from someone with a title, or happen to agree with preconceived politics or ideology.
Check everything against the Bible. It’s okay to politely (but firmly) demand “pastors” and “Christians” spouting ideas like social justice actually prove those things from the Bible.
You’ll be surprised when they can’t (yet continue to insist they’re true).
The question is, do they know those philosophies aren’t in the Bible (in which case they’re trying to deceive you), or are they simply Biblically illiterate (in which case you shouldn’t listen to them)?
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (2 Peter 2:1–2)
When someone defines sin as diminishing humanity (instead of a trespass against God) — that's denying the Lord. Will you reject heresies, even if presented by someone who appears to have authority?
Sadly, many don’t, and swallow heretical poisons. If you’re going to make one resolution, make it you’ll check popular fads against the Bible, and discard what doesn’t fit.
Question with boldness, and be a Berean (Acts 17:11). Just because someone pals around with the President, has a PhD or other title behind their name, or is called pastor, does not mean they’re Biblically literate, or even a Christian.
Don’t become a victim of the latest heresy-of-the-month, the current best-seller, or the latest philosophy from someone with a PhD or other title (but little knowledge of the Word of God) — that scrapheap of failed un-Bbiblcal ideas includes:
Those ideas — and more — can be disproven quickly and easily by reading your Bible. Make it your goal this year (and all the years following) to refudiate phony and non Biblical ideas. If you’re willing to take up the challenge, you’ll quickly discover most of these bizarre ideas originate from post-modern philosophy and its value-relativistic foundation and denial of absolute truth.
In short, they’re tactics of rebellion against God. Whether it’s emerging-this, post-modern that, social alternative gospels, don’t get drowned in a tidal wave of deception.
Keep it polite and civil, but don’t allow destructive heresies to infect the church. Stand up, and demand accountability. Remember John Loeffler’s words — their failure to be informed (Biblically or otherwise) does not make you a wacko.
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 NKJV)
One resolution to rule them all — become Biblically literate and get back in the game.
It’s up to you, because at 3AM you’ve got what you’ve got — and you don’t want to face an agent at 3AM while living in the Matrix.
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