God Speed - Doctrines of Demons

By Ron Graham

“Whosoever transgresseth, 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, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:” 2 John 1:9-10. “God speed”. We hear this phrase from time to time and when it is voiced it is usually as someone is leaving on a journey, it’s used as a request for God to provide His providential care upon that person. In the context of the above verse the phrase “God speed” when offered at the time of a person’s departure means you’re telling them you hope they thrive, flourish, prosper, succeed. According to the Apostle John this phrase should only be voiced when addressing someone who is in full agreement with the doctrine of Christ. 

 

John begins his second epistle by addressing the elect lady; some scholars believe he’s speaking to Mary the mother of our Lord, others believe he’s simply addressing a certain congregation of the saints. But to whoever the letter is addressed one thing is certain, he’s addressing God’s children. John begins his salutation with “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” 2 John 1:3. His salutation includes a short phrase that to most of us may seem an unnecessary inclusion in his salutation, the Son of the Father. He does this because we must always be reminded of the immaculate conception of Christ, since the Gnostics absolutely deny that truth. John was fully aware that many false teachings concerning Christ were in the world, and that those teachings could and would corrupt the doctrine of Christ. To this date the Gnostics have been quite successful promoting their doctrines of demons.

 

Then John moves into a tone which seems as though he is begging the reader to remember the commandment given by our Lord. “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.” 2 John 1:5. Why is John repeating Jesus’ admonition to His disciples? Because it is an essential part of Christian doctrine and needs to be repeated as a reminder of how we are to treat one another. But there’s something more here, something deeper that John will address. John, in Christian love, is concerned for his readers that they might become indifferent towards the commandments and void of the heart of obedience. Being obedient to the commandments of our Lord is proof that we love Him. Keeping our Lord’s commandments is a deterrent to allowing false doctrines to thrive within our congregations.

 

Without a doubt John is addressing saints in his second epistle. Without even knowing it, some saints will actually embrace false doctrines, especially those who reject Bible study as a necessity for every Christian. But none of us saints (born again “in Christ” followers of our Lord Messiah Jesus) should ever knowingly embrace false doctrines (doctrines of demons). You might be wondering how it is possible for someone who is born again to embrace and legitimize the doctrines of demons. I’ll explain in a moment. But know this, even a born again follower of Jesus Christ can embrace doctrines of demons simply by bidding a purveyor of such a person God speed (may your doctrines thrive), and as I will explain in a moment, I believe there are other ways as well. 

 

First, let me ask this question. How many Christians today abideth (stand up for) the doctrine of Christ? With the apostasy growing at breakneck speeds around this planet the answer is far less then we might think. Anyone who denies the deity of Christ is living a lie. Anyone who promotes this same doctrine is promoting doctrines of demons.

 

John goes on to explain the reason for this admonition. “For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 1:11. In other words, when we offer the salutation “God speed” to those who are opposed to the true doctrine of Christ we become partakers (accomplices) in their false doctrine. There are many doctrines of demons encroaching on the doctrine of Christ these days. Many claim to be Christian, thus they claim kinship with those who are actually born again. Yet they completely deny Christ’s deity. This is what John is trying to convince his readership of as he was fully aware of the Gnostic religion (those denying the deity of Messiah Jesus, His resurrection, and His immaculate conception) permeating the land.

 

Today, as in John’s day, the Gnostics are in full bloom. Who are they? They are those who oppose the doctrine of Christ. In my commentary titled “Apostasy” I wrote about those who transgress the doctrine of Christ and I made brief mention of but a few of them. Although there are many who fall into the category of transgressors, John references them as Gnostics.

 

The evil that John saw approaching was subtly infiltrating even the Ekklesia (assembly of the called out) and he was warning his readership against those who were spreading the doctrines of demons to the extent that they were not even to invite them into their homes; offer no hospitality. We, the followers of Jesus Christ, have a responsibility for maintaining His correct doctrine and admonishing our fellow saints to be just as cautious when it comes to the ever increasing infiltration of the doctrines of demons into our lives. We must stand up for the doctrine of Christ while we help others to recognize the false doctrines that are currently encroaching on and being accepted by the Ekklesia of the Lord.

 

Be on your guard always as the enemy is crafty, he exploits every venue imaginable, most of the time with cunningness such as that of a lion sneaking up on its prey. On occasion these transgressors will come to our homes armed with their erroneous literature while their pleasantries are flawless, but they are full of deceptions and perversions of the true doctrine of Christ. They are the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons. These are but two groups of Gnostics but these are the ones who make it a practice to visit people’s homes. John says we are not to even invite them in and especially do not bid them God speed as they leave the premises.

 

Lately I’ve been pondering the current presidential race. I’ve noticed a very well mannered, pleasant speaking, somewhat charismatic individual running for that particular office. He is being promoted as the front runner of all Republicans running. His name is Mitt Romney. He makes some great arguments, he stands opposed to Obama and that fact alone excites me. On the surface there doesn’t seem to be anything that would preclude most conservative thinking Christians from casting their vote for this individual. Certainly he can’t be as bad as the current occupant of the White House. Well there is that one thing that kind of hangs over him like a dark cloud – Mormonism. He’s a Mormon. He’s a lifelong member of one of the fastest growing cults in the world, and as such he abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, (hence he) hath not God – his doctrines of faith are of demons.

 

I’ve spoken to other Christians about this man; many are very encouraged by him and are willing to help him gain the presidency. I must admit, I too was about to fall for that trap, as the saying goes “anybody but Obama”. Most Christians today separate their Christian faith and their walk with Jesus from the rest of their life’s activities be it politics, work, freemasonry, or other associations. But if you really give it some thought it is impossible to leave your Christianity at home when you go out to associate with the world as the Holy Spirit indwells every born again believer all the time.

 

Many times Christians are defined by what we reject as much as by what we accept. Some are so open minded that they are empty headed. As born again in Christ believers, by casting a vote for this man are we not also accepting his doctrines of belief? And what will that say to the rest of the world when they find out that Christians voted into the highest office of their land a Mormon? Would we not be legitimizing his religion as we cast a vote for him? Satan is already in the White House under the guise of a man named Obama. Casting a vote for another man who has also embraced the doctrines of demons won’t change that fact. The White House belongs to “We the People”. In that context wouldn’t inviting a lifelong member of a major cult to take up residence in our house by offering him hospitality using our voting power be the same as the promotion of Mormonism – the doctrines of demons? Would we not be partakers of his evil deeds? Certainly food for thought.

 

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. Many believe these verses refer to the marriage of a Christian with a nonbeliever. This is not the case, we as believers in Christ must not have any fellowship with unrighteousness – with the spirit of darkness – for what has Messiah to do with Satan? God has no unity with Satan. In every aspect of a Christian’s life there should never be any acceptance of doctrines of demons. 

 

I’m in no way advocating for the reelection of the man that currently occupies the White House. Some of you will say that by withholding my vote for either of these individuals, will only shore up an Obama win. I doubt that. But whether that is the case or not, I will stand firm on the doctrine of Christ. I spent too much of my life either ignoring Him or resisting Him, no more. My thoughts and actions as a child of God must always be in line with my Father in Heaven “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

 

God bless you all,

 

Ron Graham

All scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed

 

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