Question: What should be our attitude towards those who go from door to door and seek to introduce into our homes false teaching, such as Millenial Dawnism, Seventh Day Adventism, and others?
Answer: In the Second Epistle of John, where he writes as an elder to the elect lady and her children, we are furnished with the necessary instructions for our method of dealing with those who teach and propagate false doctrine.
“For many deceivers are entered into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist... Whosoever transgresseth (or, "goes forward,” that is, seeks to make advances on the truth of God by way of improvement), and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (that is, the doctrine of Christ – confessing Jesus Christ coming in flesh), receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 77For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (2 John 7), 9-11.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (or, "prove”) the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (or, more accurately, “Jesus Christ come in flesh”, see New Trans.) is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ come in flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." Apply this test:
“What think ye of Christ”, and the simplest believer can readily detect what is true and what is false, and then can act accordingly – the most advanced Christian can do no more.
We should not resort to argument with any of these teachers of “systematized error” (Eph. 4:1414That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14)-New Trans.), or we may be made to feel that we are no match for the enemy on that ground. These men resist the truth and we should shun them.
“For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts... Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” 2 Timothy 3:6, 86For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (2 Timothy 3:6)
8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy 3:8).
It is needless to say, we must make a distinction between those who are the crafty and deliberate leaders and propagators of these evil doctrines, and those who may be simple souls, ignorantly ensnared by them, and whom we might long to help, should God enable us.
“And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 2222And of some have compassion, making a difference: (Jude 22), 23.
We ever need to look to God for wisdom in dealing with individual souls, even as to the Word we might leave with them.