How Controversies Are Distracting the Church!

I perceive that the Church seem to be distracted, and I believe that is one of Satan's strategies to keep us, and the world around us, confused about the message of faith in Jesus that we carry.

Let's pay attention to what I am about to share. As always, I want to use Scripture to support what I say so that you can examine it for yourself.

Whilst there are genuine pastors who call out false teachers of Christ's doctrine, there are also certain pastors who specialize in courting controversies with what they say. 

Their mainstay is criticising - or should I say attacking - other pastors and labelling their teachings as false.

Honestly, it is tiring to watch.

One pastor claims that what he is saying is true, while another pastor insists that his own teaching is true. If the Spirit of God is one, who then is telling the truth? One of them - or perhaps both of them - must be wrong.

What makes it even more concerning is that many people are forming opinions and taking sides without carefully examining the Scriptures for themselves. And even when Scriptures are used, they are sometimes twisted to suit personal ideologies.

Paul warned Timothy about this when he wrote:

"Command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work - which is by faith." (1 Timothy 1:3-4)

The gospel of Jesus is simple, and every revelation MUST be backed up with God's Word. Some pastors in the quest to share "deep" revelations, have drifted away from sound doctrines. 

Can we stick to the simplicity of the gospel, please?!

The truth is that believers can genuinely disagree on certain matters.

Romans 14 addresses this reality. Paul speaks about Christians who hold different opinions on issues that are not central to salvation. Some believers considered certain days special while others did not. Some ate certain foods while others abstained because of their conscience.

Rather than encouraging endless arguments, Paul instructed believers to respect one another and honour the Lord in whatever conviction they held.

"Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honour Him..." (Romans 14:6)

He further warned:

"Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." (Romans 14:13)

And again:

"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there's nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God." (Romans 14:21-22)

There are many issues today that fall into this category of Christian liberty and personal conviction - women wearing trousers, the use of makeup, women preaching, tithing, observance of special days, the use of hair extentions, women covering their hair among others.

These are controversial issues, but they should not be allowed to create division within the body of Christ.

Unfortunately, many of these debates have become sources of chaos and confusion, and the enemy is using them to distract believers from the central message of the Gospel.

While Christians may disagree on secondary matters, there are core beliefs that every Christian must hold in order to identify as a follower of Jesus Christ.

These include:

• The virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
• His death, burial, and resurrection.
• The Trinity.
• Jesus is God, not merely a prophet.
• Jesus is the only way to salvation.
• The Bible is God's Word and the final authority.
• Jesus is fully God and fully man.
• The fall of mankind.
• Jesus died in our place as the atoning sacrifice for sin.
• Salvation is by grace through faith.
• Consecration.
• Sexual purity and purity in every way.
• Holiness.
• Righteousness. 
• Kingdom lifestyle e.g, how we dress (with modesty), speak, live, what we watch etc.
• The indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit.
• Eternal life.
• The second coming of Jesus Christ.
• The final judgment.

These are foundational truths of the Christian faith. Every genuine believer, regardless of denomination, must agree on them.

If someone claims to be a Christian but says, "I don't believe Jesus is God," or "I don't believe Jesus came in the flesh," then that person has departed from essential Christian doctrine.

For us to come to salvation, these truths must be settled. They are not side issues. They are the faith itself.

So enough of allowing controversies to distract us from the main matter.

The Church's primary assignment is not to win arguments, generate online debates, or constantly attack one another. Our assignment is to preach Jesus through love, point people to the truth, and make disciples so that men and women may be saved.

Let's keep the main thing the main thing.

I value your thoughts on this matter. Kindly share in the comment section.

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