With conviction

Speaking or writing with conviction, that is, confidence, is a valued skill in most cultures.

People judge others by how they look and how they TALK. 2 Corinthians 10:10

If someone gives a speech well, many are in awe.

It seems that polished speaking (or writing) can give someone an edge. Acts 24:1-8

Can we see through hypocrisy, acting, performing, flattering words, Romans 16:17-18; Jude v.16 and the "art" some use of giving people what they want to hear? 2 Timothy 4:3-4

It's NOT that easy to do when deceivers are skillful. Ephesians 4:14; 2 Peter 2:1

Can we separate the false from the true? 1 John 4:4-6

Many still mock Acts 17:32; 2 Peter 3:3-4 as a Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, did when he asked Jesus, "What is truth?" John 18:37-38

Sometimes, people want to hear or read strong opinions that they can shout, "Yes, yes, yes!" to.

For some, it doesn't matter whether these views are true or not.

SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS

Paul spoke to some church leaders Acts 20:17 and told them what would happen in their future. Acts 20:25, 29

It wasn't going to be good for that church.

Savage wolves from the outside Acts 20:29 and wrong doctrines from believers on the inside would cause damage.

Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:30

Do you think that they all spoke with confidence?

Some are tricked Romans 16:18; Ephesians 4:14 by persuasive words of human wisdom Colossians 2:4, 8 even though these are foolishness in God the Father's sight. 1 Corinthians 3:19

Here are more examples of errors that were communicated, no doubt with conviction.

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1-2

But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. [an infection]

Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth.

They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:16-18

For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.

So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.

They will secretly introduce destructive heresies [opinions, lies], even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. 2 Peter 2:1-2

For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation.

They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude v.4

But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess.

By her teaching she misleads My [Jesus] servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. Revelation 2:20-21

ANTIDOTE TO ERROR

Paul wrote to Timothy.

By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed. 1 Timothy 4:6

Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13

Paul also wrote to Titus about traits a church elder should have. Titus 1:5-8

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it. Titus 1:9

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them. Hebrews 13:9

Paul preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified 1 Corinthians 2:2 and raised from the dead to save the world. Romans 4:23-25; 10:8-10

He confessed that his speaking ability was poor but not his knowledge. 2 Corinthians 11:6

But that didn't make him shrink back and not declare the whole counsel of God. Acts 20:26-27

People need the pure word, all of it, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 dissected correctly, 2 Timothy 2:15 even from those who aren't smooth talkers or writers.

Do you agree?

Paul spoke what Moses and the prophets had foretold about the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:25-27, 44; Acts 26:22-23

He communicated these truths Acts 14:5-7; Romans 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 and revelations received from Jesus, 2 Corinthians 12:1; Galatians 1:11-12 Whose sacrifice would make it possible for people to be saved from their sins. Hebrews 9:23-28; Titus 2:13-14

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR PROTECTION?

Speak the truth in love.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, Who is the head. Ephesians 4:15

Be a Berean.

Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. Acts 17:11

Do your best.

Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Don't be afraid to have your beliefs challenged.

Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia.

They began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by Whom he spoke. Acts 6:8-10

Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. [Paul]

Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?"

Others said, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods."

They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. Acts 17:18

When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.

On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 18:27-28

If our beliefs, which we may hold with confident conviction, can't be defended against honest critiques, then maybe we're wrong.

IF IN ERROR

We don't want to be deceived Matthew 24:4-5 even if we believe passionately in OUR way.

We don't want to think falsely that the Lord has given us words and wisdom that no religious enemy can withstand Luke 21:14-15 when in fact, we share UNTRUE beliefs.

If we're off track, we want real believers and the Lord Himself to get us into the truth, don't we? Acts 18:24-26; Philippians 3:15; James 5:19-20

Before Paul [Saul] met Jesus and was saved by Him, Acts 9:3-19 he was a strong and zealous believer. Acts 9:1-2; 26:9-11; Galatians 1:13

But it was NOT according to the right knowledge of salvation Romans 10:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:13 that God the Father had put into place with the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:1, 14, 29; Romans 3:21-26; Galatians 4:4-5

It's dangerous to hide behind a belief system, even though one thinks it's right.

"Hey, there are millions of people who believe this way. It must be right," some reason.

If we never let others question what we believe nor ever examine them ourselves as we mature, this can be a problem.

This is one way people get deceived.

They jump into a belief and then shut out any other views.

Let's NOT do that.

Jesus warned believers,

"See to it that no one deceives you. [through false doctrines in general]

For many will come in My name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." [false doctrines from real believers who only can come in Jesus' name]. Matthew 24:4-5

Instead, let's believe the Father to have His Holy Spirit guide us into all truth. John 16:13; 1 John 2:20, 27

Jesus prayed to the Father,

"Sanctify them [His first disciples and others v.15, 20] by the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17

Paul wrote,

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

so that the man [person] of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Take ALL of the Bible and handle it correctly to know the truth.

A pastor said, "If someone can talk you into believing in Jesus, someone can talk you out of it."

True salvation doesn't come by persuasive words of human wisdom, 1 Corinthians 2:4; Colossians 2:4 nor through another Jesus or a different gospel. 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6

But it comes because God the Father Who sent His Son, Jesus, to save the world, John 3:16-17 has drawn a person to Jesus. John 6:44-45; 1 John 5:9

And Jesus has drawn that one to Himself. John 12:32-33

And the Holy Spirit has convinced them. John 15:26; 16:8-11

And then that person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10

These spiritual actions from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in addition to physical creation as a witness, Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 10:18 the Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and real believers. John 15:27; Acts 1:8

Jesus said,

"Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away." John 6:37

John wrote,

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him Who is true;

and we are in Him Who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

Your thoughts?

R. Jason