Paul, the Apostle succinctly warned his followers in Colosse against empty words, deceit, vain philosophy and false teachings prevalent at that time (Colossians 2:8). He made them realize that the true gospel is unique and devoid of errors and fallacies. In like manner, the warning is for us today as it is written in the scriptures: ''Beware lest any cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.'' Similarly, Paul the Apostle in his letter to Timothy his son in the Lord emphasized the need for the truth and highlight its real import which is for instruction in righteousness. The scripture is also for reproof, correction, doctrine and direction (2 Timothy 3:13). Hence, any gospel that does not offer these is fake and their so called preachers and propagators are agents of the devil. They are evil men, impostors who love to deceive people because they themselves have been deceived by the devil (2 Timothy 3:13). And as we live in days when these scriptures are getting fulfilled to the letters in our own eyes, it is now more evident than ever before that many are already departing from the faith giving heed to deceiving and seducing spirits (spirit of error) and doctrines of the devil (1 Timothy 4:1-2, Jeremiah 5:30-31) propagated by the preachers of another gospel. So, he reiterated with no mincing words that Timothy should preach the word (truth). He was duty bound to preach the truth because many are prone to error. In 2 Timothy 4:2-4, he also told him: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."
A true minister of God is therefore an instructor who also nourishes his followers. Timothy was properly nurtured, groomed and mentored by Paul the Apostle, and later he was charged with the responsibility of overseeing the flock of God in Ephesus, however, he must remain pure and undefiled by the sins of those who have gone astray (1Timothy 5:21-22). It was a noble charge because as he watches over himself, he was mandated to watch over others too. Paul painstakingly emphasized the need for him to avoid false teachers who busy themselves acquiring worldly goods, and thus causing many to stray from the faith; in fact, he left no stone unturned: "If any teaches otherwise and does not conform to the wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and augments over words, from which come envy, strife, reveling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt mind and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all kind of evil; for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1Timothy 6:3-10). Truly, many have been cajoled by preachers of another gospel and were taught to believe that material riches and wealth determines wellness and true positioning in life forgetting that they brought nothing into the world, and surely will carry nothing out of it (1 Timothy 6:7). Even Jesus likened the preachers of another gospel to hirelings. He noted that they are fake as they are not real, they are thieves and robbers who never truly care for the sheep (John 10:1-2, 8). They do not enter in by the door and are deficient lacking characteristic traits of a good shepherd.
There is a particular assignment for Timothy and that is to zealously guard what was committed to his trust. In 1Timothy chapter 6 verse 20, Paul, the apostle exclaimed: "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge." This is serious because there are many contentions against the truth, error paraded and displayed as truth by false teachers must be shun (2 John 8-10). O Timothy! You must not be loose or give in to these evil, rather concentrate on your assignment. O Timothy! Avoid every distraction and falsehood. With your knowledge and understanding of your assignment, you must be careful of the evil going on that no one dissuade you because to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). The need for the truth is obvious now because of the way error is gaining popularity and is widely accepted as truth in many circles, yet, no remodelling, repackaging, sharpening, can ever make fake become the original. Original is always real! Regardless of the extent of its refurbishing, modification, panel-beating, readjustment that error may go through to make it resemble original, all these efforts notwithstanding; error will never become original. Counterfeit will ever remain counterfeit, and original will always be original though there may be little semblance, but sincerely fake is fake, and truth is truth. It is only when the Spirit of God breathes upon a life that it can truly experience the life of God and His power, then have meaning to be productive and not marred. Any life built on error is already marred and doomed for destruction. It is God alone who makes anew when the truth is embraced.
In his days, John the Baptist prepared the people for the revelation of their Messiah, his message was persuasive, hard on them, and many were convicted of their sins (Luke 3:3-4, 7-10). And when Jesus eventually came, as He preached, He did not pamper sin and sinners; neither did He condone the evil of His days though committed by the highly ranked spiritual leaders (Pharisee, Sadducee, Scribes and the High priests). His teachings were blunt and straight to the point. There were no additives, sweeteners, and add-ons to make it pleasant, it was indeed not palatable to them at all. It was such a very hard and troubling teaching for them that on several occasion they attempted to kill Him. The bible recorded that the people were filled with wrath "when they heard these things" they rose up thrust Him out of the city, led Him to the brow of the hill to throw Him down the cliff. I want to believe that He wasn't joking or chatting with them because they wouldn't have schemed to throw Him down if He was telling them what they love to hear. The evil people of His days plotted to kill Him because He preached the truth. Jesus is an embodiment of grace and truth (John1:14b, 17b) and He cannot do otherwise for He is committed to the truth. According to Luke chapter 2 verse 32, Jesus was sent a light to bring revelation to the gentiles and the glory of God to His people. Simply put, any gospel that does not project Jesus, reveal Him and declares His teachings is false and fake. It must not be tolerated for the predetermined counsel of God alone for His people must stand: "So that the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations." It is God's expectation and desire that righteousness (truth) not error will spread forth in all the nations of the earth.
Jesus was not spared by the devil; He was tempted of the devil for 40 days and 40 nights. He did not succumb to his suggestion to leave the preaching of the truth in pursuance of earthly glory, fame or wealth (Matthew 4:8-10). But this is what the preachers of another gospel teach their followers, they teach them to make it quick in life even through dubious means, they propagate error, giving their followers false hope and assurance that God is with them even when sinning against Him (Jeremiah 6:13). But John the beloved exhorting the believers urge them to acknowledge and follow those who preach the truth (1John 4:5-6). The serious need of the hour is the ability to discern the truth form the error because damages done by these evil perpetrators are enormous (Hosea 6:9-10). They spread lies and multiply greatly, and instead of repenting, the more they increased the more they sinned against God (Hosea 4:7-8). However, they failed to realize that the judgment of God is coming if they do not turn from their evil and pernicious ways (Hosea 4:9). For the evil of false teaching, judgment is coming on the unrepentant. God frankly told Ezekiel that He is a fair God though many misconstrue Him (Ezekiel 33:17, 20). Ephraim's apostate state and his altars to sin made God angry and He pronounced judgment on him (Hosea 8:11-13), so also will God unleash His wrath else these teachers and preachers of another gospel repent.
