2 John
From the one who urges us over and over to ‘love one another’, John does not bat an eye at warning us of the ‘many deceivers’ that ‘have gone out into the world’. In one breath he urges us to ‘love’ some while in the next he says, ‘watch out’ for others.
John doesn’t have as much trouble drawing the line as we do today.
Here’s what John actually said, “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for.” And then, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.”
We have got to become more aware that the ‘many deceivers’ are not just preachers and teachers that teach that Christ did not come in the flesh. A TV show, song or book that portrays and promotes a life style that is opposed to what Jesus came in the flesh to proclaim, is deceptive. A steady diet of it desensitizes us to His truth. John urges us in his warning to not welcome him/it into our houses. He knows the effect it will have.
I am not saying that we should throw out our TV’s, music and reading material (though John might if he were here) but I am saying we need to fill our minds through the week with His truth to sharpen our senses. The effect would likely be that we would become more careful with what we let in. I urge you as John did, “watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for.”
Hunger and Thirst 
Mike,
How very true! And, there is much more. We need to be concerned for our children and grandchildren. Their “education” these days is filled with promoting unchristian ( supposedly politically correct ) lifestyles and atheistic theories. If we remain unaware of what our children are being taught, in one generation, faith will be lost.
We can already see the effects of “education” in many of the young people of today.
Further, our youth cannot even watch sports on TV without being inundated with vulgar advertising.
Margaret
Which is more deceptive, watching something you KNOW is not the truth, like a SF movie, or listening to a “Christian” band you think is good, but they have bad theology?
John is combating gnosticism in his letter. These were religious people who were deceiving others with their bad theology. So, I think it is harder to discern shades of error in a palate of religious talk than to know what you are looking at is at junk. Just so, if I hear a Led Zepplin song, I know I’m not listening for words that will bring me into God’s presence. But if I’m listening to one of the popular Christian bands, how well do I separate the wheat from the chaff? It all depends on how well I know the Word.
Maybe that’s why, at least in my musical tastes, I lean towards jazz and classical!
Hmm, did I in any way stay on track with what you were saying….? 🙂
Blessings,
Jim
“These were religious people who were deceiving others with their bad theology.”
True, this is what John was saying. He was teaching us to ‘watch out’ for the religious deceivers. My point was that in addition, we need to ‘watch out’ for the non religious deceivers as well. What we watch, listen to and read, though it may say nothing that specifically denies Christ, it can portray values that are contrary to what He stood for. The effect can be a desensitizing. It can be a subtle means of deception. As we have an enemy that attacks at every angle immagineable, I see that as one we need to ‘watch out’ for.
And now I ask you, did I in any way stay on track and answer your question? 🙂
By the way, Jim meet Brian (a pastor). Brian meet Jim (a pastor).
Mike
Jim has a great point. I worked in Christian retail for several years, and let me tell you – not everything there is really Christian. Lots of half-truths, lots of heresy, lots of junk. Just because it has the Christian label doesn’t mean it is truth. Watch out indeed! The church today has a great need to rediscover discernment.
Mike – in response to your comment on my last post. I am doing well, just really busy which is keeping me from posting as much as I might like….
Great Post. I think you have helped me personally. Thanks !
Bob
It is always good to know when something you have done has been helpful to someone. I’m sure it is true more times than we are aware. Thanks for taking the time to mention it.