Correcting Error

James 5:19-20

A recurring theme in the New Testament is that of being turned away from the truth. The Old Testament records numerous times when Israel turned away from God to some other belief or practice. Human nature hasn’t changed, and turning to other things remains a problem in today’s society. In describing what is needed in the various churches in Revelation 2 and 3, three of the seven churches have fallen into this trap. One has followed the doctrine of Balaam, accepting changes to the Word of God, one is named as having replaced the Word of God with other teachings, the doctrine of Jezebel, and one, described as being dead despite a reputation for life, has simply held to their traditional beliefs, without concern for the Bible. A fourth church has become primarily a social organization, and God says he’d spew them out of his mouth.

The problem is so prevalent that almost every New Testament writer addressed it, and James is no exception. He focuses on the possibility of correcting such error, and the benefits. If the error can be corrected, God will forgive the sin, people will be saved, and sin will be forsaken.

“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

Most of the early Christians were of Jewish descent, and there was a movement by some to try to force all Christians to live by Jewish standards. Galatians was written to warn of the danger of false teachers who were teaching that a Christian must practice Jewish standards. Several groups today hold similar doctrine, although it appears to be most prevalent among Messianic Jews. Galatians 6:1 was written to deal with this problem as well as other sin. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Stress is placed on trying to correct the sin. Titus was written as a guide for selecting and training Pastors and Church leaders. In Chapter 1, a list of qualifications is given, concluding with a requirement that he knows and believes the scriptures. By properly using and explaining the scriptures, error and false doctriune can be corrected, according to Titus 1:9-11.

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.”

Later, Paul instructs that an effort is to be made to correct false doctrine, but if one persists in holding such false doctrine , there must be separation. Titus 3:10 commands, “A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” We are not to reject them out of hand, as they may just be deceived themselves, but if they choose to ignore scripture they are to be rejected.

Revelation 2 and 3 warn the churches that they must change or suffer the consequences of their sin. Romans 16: 17-18 tells us to separate from those who deliberately continue in error because they are not serving God. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”








1ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 1ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 1ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 1ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 1ti 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 1ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.