“Heed” or “Herd” Mentality

Why is it so easy to espouse foolish and errant theology?

Simple: Humankind has a bent to take a path of the least resistance. They have consigned their responsibility, as instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15 to study the Scriptures, over to the verbiage spoken by church leaders.

Look closely at the very next verse in 2 Timothy 2:16 which says, “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” They only way we can know if the words being spoken are vain is to compare them with the truths found in Scripture.

Here are the primary reasons why people are not able to discern the truth:

Ignorance: There is a self-absorbed ignorance which despises introspective study; this makes a person oppose the truth even before it is realized.

Carelessness: People blindly, and without any contemplation, follow after traditions, errant teaching and beliefs of the group with which they are aligned. The knowledge of truth becomes of no great importance to them. They base their beliefs on “fitting” in a particular group as opposed to “finding” the truth through study. Discernment of the truth can never be learned merely by one’s association with the teachings of a chosen assembly.

Prejudice: Many have become accustomed to establishing their beliefs entirely in an implicit reliance upon other men, instead of building it upon the evidence of Scriptures which is the foundation of truth; in doing so, they side with the teachings of a man over the Word of God.

Dogmatism: Man’s desire for power and control concerns itself with the defense and support of a clique, camp, circle, faction, sect, etc., without giving any thought as to how far they have deviated from the Scriptures.

Here is an example of foolish and errant theology that believers have failed to invalidate. Recently, I began reading a book by Steven J. Law. The preface of the book opens with a lie that has been spoken by many for as long as I can remember. Law stated, “To step into the pulpit is to enter onto holy ground.”

The statement is wrong for one reason, and worse, a lie for another reason.

First, the word “Pulpit” appears only one time in the Scriptures and we never find it being used in church under the New Covenant. Why? Look at (Nehemiah 8:1)  “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.” Are we under the Law of Moses? Are you following that which was commanded of Israel?

Of course there will always be those who live in the Old Testament because they brandish the law as a sword in their attempts to control people. (See reason number four listed above.)

In our age we have electronic sound systems and exponentially smaller congregations as opposed to those being addressed by Ezra in Nehemiah Chapter 8; hence, a tower from which the speaker can be heard is not necessary. Even in Acts 4:4 “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand,” there is no mention of Peter and John speaking from a “Pulpit”. In fact, there is not one reference to pulpits, platforms or towers for speaking to congregants in the New Testament. Unfortunately, men have turned the concept of the “Pulpit” into a stage; a place for actors. “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.”

Second, the words “Holy ground” only appear twice in the Scriptures; once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. The New Testament verse references the Old Testament verse.

Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Acts 7:33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

Who is being spoken to in these verses? Who are the “Thou” in Exodus 3:5 and the “Him” in Acts 7:33? It is Moses! Is Moses preaching in these passages of Scripture? No! Moses is listening to God who is speaking audibly to him. Have preachers become so arrogant and puffed up with pride that they actually believe God is speaking verbally to them and that they are standing on Holy ground? Are they placing themselves at the same level as Moses? Have you studied the Scriptures enough to know the difference?

As we are created in the image of God, and He was the original, independent Thinker, and we are so told to, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children”; then it should be obvious, each of us should be doing some thinking on our own. “Heed” the Word of God and follow not after a “Herd” mentality.