S136P3 – Pervasive sin: the top-down approach
Rev. 2:18-23
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, “These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: ‘I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.’ “
The two men had been different yet so much the same. They came from a long line of deceivers who continue to this day. In both instances, public sentiment regarding the end of these religious sects was varied. Some felt compassion for their followers who were so deceived by the teachings of these men, but others thought that the sheep were no better or different than the shepherds. Even those who did not know the truth questioned how anyone could fall for a religious doctrine that was so unbelievable and seemingly evil. These men had turned themselves into gods, and they were followed by those who professed to seek the truth but who seemingly were seeking something else.
This church paints an interesting picture for us. This is a group of people who clearly sought the truth because they are credited for living out a right faith to some point. These are people who appear to have been serving the Lord in Spirit and in truth, but something changed. Their pursuit of truth became adulterated, and it happened because they allowed false teachings to enter. This might have been deception in the beginning, but it is framed here as willful straying from the truth. Deception is not mentioned here. The false and evil teachings of Jezebel exist in this body because the door was opened to them. Leadership allowed a false teaching that contradicts the word of God, and those subject to that spiritual authority followed.
Two practices which are integral to the proper development of our faith address the sincerity of our pursuit of the truth. The first is making sure that we compare the word we have been taught to the scriptures. We do not take at face value what is taught to us, but we test the spirits. The second thing we must do is flee from false teaching. If we are seeking the truth, then that which contradicts the truth will be clear to us. Those with discernment will be repelled by it. It is critical for us to check our motivations and make sure that we follow the message that is true and not the one that merely tickles our ears. Father, give us clarity regarding our desire for truth, and protect us from the false teachings of the world masquerading as biblical truth.