Don't Open The Door
Introduction
There comes a time in our lives when it's just not a good idea to open the door. In today's world there is more and more reason to be conscious of the fact that danger may be waiting around the next corner. We fear being mugged or harmed in some way. However, scripture teaches us there's something else to fear. In all actuality I think we should fear this danger more than we fear bodily harm! The great danger of being false teachers!
I. The Description Of The False Prophet, Vs. 10
A. The Approach He Makes, Vs. 10
If there come any unto you... vs. 10. The phrase come any is our clue to the description of a false prophet. He can look like anybody. He can be anybody! The phrase also denotes that this come any person has a specific agenda. Listen! False prophets don't just come, they come with a purpose. They approach you with an agenda. Notice not only the approach he makes but also the reproach he makes.
B. The Reproach He Makes, Vs. 10
...bring not this doctrine... vs. 10. He doesn't bring God's heart with him. If someone shows up at your door with a hate message for another church member or church leader he's not there with God's doctrine. He's got his own agenda. Remember the context of 2 John is a warning to the church about the distortion and destruction of God's word. Listen! God says you know the basic truths; do not lie; do not be angry with your brother; have no other Gods before you; do not kill. If someone shows up saying these things are ok...we're instructed how to treat them. Notice not only the description of the false prophet but also the disapproval of the false prophet.
II. The Disapproval Of The False Prophet, Vs. 10
A. Keep Him Out Of Your House, Vs. 10
...receive him not into your house... vs. 10. The word receive is in the present active imperative in the Greek and it means it's a command! Here's the interesting part, up to this time John has been addressing this warning to the church but now he's talking about a personal home. Why the change? Because a strong church will not let a liberal in their pulpit! John has shored up the church and now he addresses the second avenue of attack. Listen! If they can't get you at church they'll befriend you outside of church. If you're with someone and you aren't talking about how God is blessing the church somebody needs to move on! John says receive him not into your house. This command applies to your computer, your telephone or anywhere in your life! Notice not only are we to keep him out of our house but also we are to keep him out of our heart.
B. Keep Him Out Of Your Heart, Vs. 10
...neither bid him God speed: vs. 10. Listen closely! These people carry dissention and danger with them. In order to cause dissention they have to distort God's truth!
In Proverbs 6:16-19 we read, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
The phrase is a present active infinitive which means you do it forever with no exceptions to this rule. What rule? The literal translation hangs up on this, "Close the door, walk away, and separate yourselves from the false teachers." Resist them to the point of being what would be termed rude!
You say I could never do that. Read 2 Corinthians 6:17 which states, "'Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate,' saith the Lord."
God says to flee from sin. Romans 16:17 reads, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." In 1 Timothy 6:3-5 3 we find, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."
Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 3:7, "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, 'O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?'" Again He states in Matthew, "'O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.'" Look at Matthew 23:33 3. "'Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?'"
Jesus wasn't easy on these people and we should take a hard stand against those who would destroy the glorious truth of God's word!