Spellbound! #3

Monday, August 21, 2023

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17,18 KJV).

Let us analyze these “good words and fair speeches.”

Dear friends, we must come to terms with a dreadful fact. False teachers do not announce how their ministries lead to destruction. Not one of them will preface their remarks with, “I am about to lie to you,” or “I am soon to lead you to eternal ruin,” or “I will ensure you stay in spiritual kindergarten,” or anything close to that effect. No, rather, they sound lovely, pleasant, or wonderful. In fact, four common elements forming the heart of their message are peace, prosperity, healing, and knowledge. Admirers by the millions—seeking tranquility, wealth, health, and “wisdom”—come to sit at their feet, shake their hands, fall to their knees, and kiss their toes!

Look at today’s Scripture. The two techniques false teachers employ are “good words” and “fair speeches.” In our Greek New Testament, “good words” is “chrestologia.” The term “chrestos” was translated in our King James Bible as follows: “easy” (Matthew 11:30), “better” (Luke 5:39), “kind” (Luke 6:35; Ephesians 4:32), “goodness” (Romans 2:4), “good” (1 Corinthians 15:33), and “gracious” (1 Peter 2:3). Believe it or not, a false teacher’s communications can be described as any or all of these!

“Fair speeches” is “eulogia” (literally, “good thoughts/words”), from which we get “eulogy.” A eulogy is a message intended to praise someone, particularly at the person’s funeral. Admirable traits, inspiring accomplishments, and other enjoyable comments are expressed before a crowd. “Fair” means “beautiful, soothing, reassuring, or complimentary.” As someone once put it, “Fair speeches are language artfully adapted to captivate the hearer.” The “good words” are the substance, but the “fair speeches” are the means whereby the orator influences the audience to believe those words.

This does not mean everyone who speaks kindly or beautifully is automatically a false teacher. Nonetheless, we do need to realize threats to our spiritual wellbeing typically lurk in the most unexpected places….