Almost a century ago, theologian J. Gresham Machen cautioned regarding the powerful force of modern culture, which is either subservient to or adversary of the gospel. Machen declared that subjugating culture necessitates not simply religious emotion but neglected intellectual labor, stating that the Church is battling for her life because she has turned to easier tasks in her indolence. Paul’s instruction to Titus in responding to false teachers remains the same as the call for church under-shepherds today: they “must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain” (Titus 1:10–11). This silencing is accomplished not through force but refutation and rebuke by qualified elders who are skilled in the Scriptures (Titus 1:8) and therefore equipped to teach, reproof, correct, and train (2 Tim. 3:16–17) in a patient, gentle manner (2 Tim. 2:24–26).

Pastor Steven Cole further cautioned regarding the danger of tolerating the presence of obstinate church members propagating false teaching, stating,

During World War Two, Neville Chamberlain of Britain tried to keep the peace by appeasing Adolf Hitler. After giving Poland to Hitler, Chamberlain went back to England proclaiming “peace in our times.” But Winston Churchill wisely observed, “An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” Sure enough, Hitler later tried to eat Britain, too.

If we compromise truth to appease a heretic or to keep him in the church, it will lead to our ultimate spiritual demise. To avoid spiritual deception, be discerning of people, especially of religious people who claim to have some new truth. Be discerning of sound doctrine. Know your Bible well. Study systematic theology. Study church history. Most errors today have been around for centuries.