Welcome back to the fourth part of our series on how not to be taken captive. This is the segment that I believe most people have been waiting for, because today we will examine the most common captivating ideas in modern Christianity — or what I call the “Holy-Sounding Hogwash,” a term I coined in the previous part of this series.

I’ve compiled a list of the religious rubbish I’ve heard repeatedly throughout the years, and also added the ones which you all sent me via comments and emails, so it’s my wish that today’s study will benefit us all, as we see how the truth of Jesus and His finished work in the New Covenant keeps us from being taken captive by these dangerous doctrines.

Recap, What We’ve Learned So Far

We began this study series by reading the list of items in Colossians 2:8, which defines things that can take us captive. We explored these items in-depth in parts 1 and 2. Then, in part 3, we laid the foundation of the finished work of Christ and His perfect righteousness which is imputed to us by His grace in the New Covenant. This solid grounding in Grace was necessary before we began looking at the dangerous doctrines, because it’s not enough to simply point out something erroneous, we must understand why it is in error— specifically when held up to the light of Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross and the righteousness we have in Him.

As we also saw in part 3, our spiritual enemy will always strike at the core of our status in Christ, the righteousness that He has given to us, so being firmly rooted in the truth of Grace is essential as we move forward.

This brings us to our study today, as we now look at the most commonly heard and taught captivating doctrines and ideas in modern Christianity— and some of these are very subtle, and very crafty, which is again, why we needed to lay the groundwork of Grace in our previous segment. So, if you’re ready, let’s explore these together.

Idea: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

You’ve probably heard this phrase in popular TV and media, and even some pastors use this phrase in their sermons. People quote this phrase as though it’s in the scripture, but it’s actually not!

In-fact, the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is not anywhere in the old or new testament writings.

People tend to use this phrase to imply that they must take the first step, or try to solve their own problems before God will be motivated to assist or act on their behalf. This phrase (intentionally or unintentionally) has the same resulting effect as the old covenant Law— placing the burden on mankind to perform to achieve results… but again, it is nowhere found in scripture.

Much to the contrary, the scriptures take the opposite viewpoint; that we are utterly incapable of helping ourselves, and that in our totally depraved state, God has helped, by providing Jesus as the redemptive sacrifice to save us.

Isaiah 53:6 says,

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:6

Every one of us has gone astray, there’s not one who does right, but God laid our iniquity on Jesus. It’s Not our job to carry our our own iniquity, nor can we sufficiently atone for it ourselves.

Romans 5:8, says it this way:

“But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Romans 5:8

Again, the picture is clear that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. The onus was not on us to help ourselves first, to stop being a sinner before He died for our sins. We were not told to clean ourselves up first, or however someone might say it. The focus is always on Jesus and His finished work.

Idea: Grace Needs To Be Balanced by Law

One of the most subtle forms of resistance to the gospel message comes in the form of our next idea, and commonly heard phrase: There needs to be a balance between grace and law.

Like all of the items on our list, this one sounds right and desirable— after-all, who doesn’t want balance? Without balance, things would be unbalanced, wouldn’t they?

Some Christians use the idea of balance to create, and cultivate, and keep a level of mediocrity  which seems right on the surface but has the effect of stopping the gospel truth.

Most often this idea of balance comes on the form of Old Covenant Law creeping into the New Covenant. Often combined with 1^st Timothy 4:2 about having a conscience seared with a hot iron, the idea of needing a balance encourages people to maintain an amount of guilt, shame, and performance mindset to keep a “balance” to avoid what they dub as “hyper-grace”

Much like the previous entry on our list, however, this idea of needing to balance and keep a check on grace by the law is found nowhere in scripture, and is actually anti-gospel.

In the scriptures, hyper-grace doesn’t exist. It’s a man-made term designed to induce an ungodly fear against the grace of God. When I’ve asked people what can “balance” God’s grace, the answer is always the same: more Law.  And this brings us full-circle back to religious legalism, and keeping ourselves parked in guilt and shame, all based on a misunderstanding and misapplication of key scriptures along with ungodly ideas and “holy-sounding hogwash”

1^st Corinthians 15:56, says that the strength of sin is the Law. It is in-fact the Law that gives sin its strength and power to bind, condemn and kill.

You see, my friend, the truth of scripture is that the Law of Moses, with it’s strict regulations, rules, traditions and do’s and don’ts was never given to curb or stop sin – that was not its purpose – but in-fact its purpose was to actually manifest sin fully! The Law was given that the offense would abound (Romans 5:20), and be shown as exceedingly sinful.

Many believers want so desperately to stop sinful actions, that in desperation they cling to the Law of Moses (fueled by these deceptive ideas) to try and find some behavioral help, and in-effect actually strengthen sin more.

And pastors, attempt to motivate their congregations in their behaviors by preaching Law-centric sermons – and although the intentions of these pastors may be good, they are actually binding the souls of the congregation more, and causing sin to manifest further.

Take a look at Acts 20:28-32:

“Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

And now, brothers, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”

Acts 20:28-32:

Pastors are given charge by God to feed the church of God, not burden them with heavy chains (Acts 15:10). The scriptures instruct us to watch for such deception.

Lastly, we see in verse 32, that we are commended to God and the word of His grace, and notice the effect that being commended to His grace has: His grace is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified.

Many Christians try to look to the Old Covenant Law to find, strength, order, and meaning, but those things are actually found in God’s grace.

Don’t let the enemy shake your standing in the righteousness of Christ.

In The Next Segment…

We will continue looking at these captivating religious ideas, as we grow deeper in the grace of Jesus Christ.

I look forward to thriving with you again.

Be blessed.