“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent” – Revelation 2:2-5.

IS IT HARD to believe that we can expose false teachers and dispose of a fervent love for God? It happens so often and I have met many of them. The imbalance sets in when all we do is hunt for the false which is no different in nature than charismatic demon ‘hunters and slayers’ – the whole thing becomes ridiculous. We are to earnestly contend for the faith and the key to doing that is to live and breathe the right faith; boldly preach and declare the ways of God and that will not come unless we are striving to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul and body.

If the devil cannot deter us from the right path, he will drive us to extremes on such a path to where we lose balance. Have you noticed those who always complain about the wrongs in the body of Christ? Nothing ever edifying, exhorting or encouraging comes out of their mouths or pens because they are so consumed with hacking to pieces those who oppose the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. “The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself” – said Charles Spurgeon. The authentic will naturally expose the false.

This is not to say we are never to directly oppose false teachers – nothing of the sort – but if our time and energy is consumed with hunting out and opposing the enemies of the Cross, beware lest you leave behind your walk with God. Don’t say it will not happen. The above account from Revelation is enough to answer that. The Church of Ephesus was most certainly a part of the body of Christ that was about to lose its light. One of the signs of losing light is a bitterness that sets in, to where you become no better than those whom you are exposing and attacking. Such people become a nuisance and there is a draining effect on others who are full of life; they are nothing but spiritual black holes that obliterate everything positive in sight.

Another sign of such excessiveness is the absence of gentleness, patience and humility, but above all – and what is the saddest of all – is the absence of enjoying walking with God. The joy of salvation is undetectable and the fragrance of Christ no longer draws others. These people no doubt are a minefield of information, but don’t be disappointed for the lack of spiritual life and fellowship after having spent time with them; you will feel utterly spent and dried out afterwards!

It is always our relationship with God first and foremost before anything else, no matter how noble. Get that right and we will be most effective in the hands of God and to others around us.