Fire ants are a significant, costly problem across the southeastern United States. One means of extermination is by mixing equal amounts of powdered sugar and baking soda, sprinkling it where the ants are visible. The ants love the sugar but are unable to separate the baking soda from the composition, and the chemical reaction in their bodies brings death.
Equally deadly to the Christian, spiritually speaking, is the combination of Gospel truth with foreign elements of human or satanic origin. Evil workers in the disguise of “angels of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) often supply their adherents a portion of the sweet as they speak about the love, mercy, grace, power and promises of God. However, they are eager to supplement with portions of opinion, human tradition, philosophy and feel good options for a semi-spiritual – carnal blend. Like the ant, so many are either unable or unwilling to distinguish the good from the harmful.
Time and again the Scriptures sound the warning to God’s faithful children not to be duped by error or avoid deception by false teachers (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-8). Paul grieved over the harmful influence certain people were gaining in Galatia while altering or perverting the Gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-9). He knew how life-threatening the danger was (and continues to be).
In Philippians 3:18 Paul used a word that meant “to sob” or “wail aloud” when he had warned of false brethren (Judaizing teachers) who opted for and promoted a blend of Judaism and Christianity. They were religious. These men and women believed in God, but they were actually “enemies of the cross of Christ.” Because he loved them dearly, in Philippians 3, Paul was not silent about the spiritual danger they posed with their doctrines that could only lead to destruction (vs. 19). Paul made an earnest appeal for the saints at Philippi to mimic his faith and example rather that those who would do them harm (whether maliciously or unintentionally) (3:17).
Friend, who can avoid spiritual death when he ingests a blend that contains poison into his soul? God supplies truth and purity of doctrine. Satan works to break God’s heart.
