Typical Attitudes.

It is interesting to note the attitude of those who hold to false teaching. Many exhibit a generally, unwholesome bad attitude. In a recent post on the “Texas Baptist Underground”, some commenter used profanity in response to a post that James Spurgeon had written. Another commenter who was also defending the legalistic LBT, left a blustery comment in their fury, which consisted of basically a run-on sentence with no punctuation that barely made any sense at all. On the other end of the spectrum, the postmodern emerging church crowd also displays much of the same behavior, replete with profanity and a rebellious spirit. Both are void of any Scriptural footing since they virtually ignore the authority of the Bible.

This seems to be par for the course with those who ignore Scripture as their final authority. Because their argumentation lacks any real authority, it is therefore void of any power and influence. Their only resort seems to be an attempt to bolster their position with profanity and personal attacks. But this really reveals the true heart of those involved in these tactics.

18"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20"These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." (Matthew 15:18-20, NASB)

Those who are led of the Spirit of God exhibit certain qualities called the “fruit of the Spirit”.

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV)

Those who are not led by the Holy Spirit lack this fruit.

“19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,” (Galatians 5:19-20, NKJV)

15"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17"So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18"A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20"So then, you will know them by their fruits.”(Matthew 7:15-20, NASB)

The way people act reveal a lot about their heart and it often reveals the truth about the reality of their faith. False religion exemplifies man’s pride since it is composed of man’s philosophy and self-effort. Any critique of false beliefs strikes at man’s pride and likely causes a reaction according to the flesh.