THE WEAK FRINGE
Read 2 Timothy 3:6-7.
In today’s passage we learn that the problems listed by Paul were also present in the early church. Some were visiting vulnerable women and taking advantage of their situation. These false teachers would “worm their way” into their homes, meaning they were treacherous and deceptive in their dealings. One commentator has noted that these false teachers had gained complete psychological dominance over their victims. (Lea, New American Commentary)
The victims themselves were weak-willed women who were apparently open to any way out of their situation (i.e. “always learning”). Loaded down with guilt, they may have sought relief from anyone who would listen. Perhaps in their weakened state, they were easily tempted into immorality (i.e. “swayed by all kinds of evil desires”). It is no wonder they were unable to acknowledge or discern truth from deception – their frail condition left them open to anything and everything.
What does this say to us – those who fall into the category of solid teaching with good motivations? First, it says there are those who will vie for people on the weak fringes – those who are desperate for attention and answers. For the right price, some false teachers will sweep in and tell distressed people what they want to hear. It is a sad thing to see this done under the banner of Christ. I look at some “Christian” television programs, and I wonder if there is any concern for eternity when miracles and money are hyped to an emotionally frenzied congregation. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying God doesn’t perform miracles or that money isn’t useful for the Kingdom, but it is sometimes touted as the thing that life is all about. The abundant life of an intimate, inner relationship with Christ is in competition with the abundant material life that false teachers are preaching. Our challenge is to reach the weakened fringe with the true gospel of eternal life.
(Though strong, it is very powerful – check out this short video:
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Somewhere there sits a woman at home with her children. Every day, all day she sits with her children longing for adult conversation or a listening ear. What can the children offer? Not much really in this regard. As the days and weeks and months go by, the once dull pain of longings begins to grow sharper. She is tired. She is available and willing for someone. Anyone. And then one day there is a knock at the door. It is a friendly face offering a listening ear and some answers to life’s longings. Her company makes the presentation all the more attractive. By the end of the conversation, she is invited back. Before long, they are having a Bible study, and her life seems to be back on the right track. But is it?
This is not an uncommon story (I know a woman who had a very similar experience.). This is not a woman loaded down by sin or easily tempted by evil desires. These are not friendly faces with a mind to deceive or a motivation for money. These are people who represent what we in Christian circles call cults. They sound true, but they twist the very foundations of Christian belief. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons are among those who benefit from people on the weakened fringes. Why mention these? Today, we compete with many other well-intentioned groups to help those who are weak. There are those promising health and wealth, those who offer deeper answers taking a form of Christianity. In our churches there sit those who are searching for the answers, and who are vulnerable to “alternatives.” The challenge for us is to protect those who are weak and susceptible in our Family from the deception of false teaching. It will mean walking out to the periphery of our worlds and getting into their lives. Admittedly, not an easy challenge…
Paul points out to Timothy that the challenges of leadership are going to include dealing with these kinds of situations. The task of bringing back into the fold those who have been led astray by false notions is a difficult one. As we will see in coming weeks, this will be one of the reasons Paul commands Timothy to take action and preach the word (ch. 4). It is better to get it right the first time rather than correcting the mistakes of false teachers.
To consider: Who are the weak and susceptible ones in our church Family? Is there anything you can do to help?
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Questions for Home Groups
1) Do you know anyone who fell prey to the deception of false and misleading teachers? Where are they today?
2) What are some practical ways to reach across to the weak and susceptible in our church Family? How can we protect them from one whim after another?