Articles
Evil Deeds
“Evil Deeds”
Greg King
What do you think of when you hear or see the words, “evil deeds”? Most will think of the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” God says these works are evil and they will prevent one from entering the Kingdom unless the person repents and stops the evil practice.
Did you know that the scripture also identifies that a teaching that is different from the teachings of Christ is evil? 2 John verses 9-11 states, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” Teaching the truth is important to God. These verses help us to easily identify false teaching. False teaching is anything that goes against the teaching of Jesus. Have you heard someone say that baptism isn’t necessary for salvation? They make that statement even though Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” What does John say the about teaching that is opposed to the teaching of Jesus? He calls it “evil”! Is belief necessary? Jesus said so but He did not say, belief or faith only! To say that one is saved by faith alone is not the teaching of Jesus and so that makes it evil!
A teaching will not be built upon statements that begins with, “I think,” “I feel,” or “Don’t you think.” The teaching from God is built on God’s holy word. A false teacher is a person who is not swayed by the word of God. When presented with the scriptures, that person does not consider God’s word. All of us must always listen to God’s word and consider our beliefs and positions on the basis of what the word of God reveals. If the reaction is, “I don’t care what the scriptures say” or the person twists the scriptures to make it work for their position, that person is a false teacher. Don’t be a partaker of their evil deeds!
