Arrogance of Those Who Change

Sadly, most of us have known those who once preached the truth who have now turned from that truth and are either preaching error or upholding such. It is not my intent in this article to examine any particular doctrine they may now be teaching but to note an attitude that is all too common among these individuals.

Very often, if you dare question their change or what they are now teaching, you get a response something like this: “I know where you are coming from; I once was there” or “I once believed what you believe.” The implication of such statements is that they have now attained such superior knowledge and when you reach that level you will agree with them. This arrogance on their part says that those who disagree with them just lack the intelligence that they have. If you disagree with them it is due to your lack of study or your ignorance.  It never occurs to these individuals that those who disagree with them may have studied just as much as they have and that their disagreement with them is not due to lack of knowledge but to a desire to respect the authority of God’s word and a desire to stand for truth.

Friend, don’t be deceived or intimidated by these false teachers. As Paul said, “not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26). Paul also declared, “my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4,5). The faithful teacher will have a show of humility; not arrogance.

- by James Hahn