May 16, 2017 
Do not be led astray by all kinds of strange teachings!
(J.C. Ryle, 1816-1900)
“Do not be led astray by all kinds of strange teachings!” Hebrews 13:9
Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous.
There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error–and their ‘earnestness’ makes many think they must be right.
There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge–and many imagine that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides.
There is a general tendency to free thought in these latter days–many like to prove their independence of judgment, by believing novelties.
There is a wide-spread desire to appear tolerant and liberal-minded–many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong.
There is a quantity of half-truth taught by the modern false teachers–they are incessantly using Scriptural terms and phrases in an unscriptural sense.
There is a morbid craving in the public mind for the more sensational and showy–men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work.
There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly and earnestly–and a determination to forget that Satan is often “transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
There is a wide-spread ‘gullibility’ among professing Christians–every heretic who tells his story plausibly, is sure to be believed. Anyone who questions him, is called a bigot and a narrow-minded man.
All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing man to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, “Do not be led astray by all kinds of strange teachings!”
An ignorant laity will always be the bane of a Church! A Bible-reading laity may save a Church from ruin.
Let us read the Bible regularly, daily, and with fervent prayer, and become familiar with its contents.
Let us receive nothing, believe nothing, follow nothing–which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible.
Let our rule of faith, our touchstone of all teaching–be the written Word of God!
“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this Word–it is because there is no light in them!” Isaiah 8:20
iChristian 
Steve, Excellent post, Ryle like the Puritans before him understood that God was in complete control of all aspect of the universe and had provided for all our needs. 2 Peter 2:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
When Ryle writes “Let us read the Bible regularly, daily, and with fervent prayer, and become familiar with its contents. Let us receive nothing, believe nothing, follow nothing–which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible. Let our rule of faith, our touchstone of all teaching–be the written Word of God! It is nothing new, he is just reminding us of God’s plan.
Today however far too many expound this nonsense of a new way, a better way. Seriously when any true believer hears this alarm bells should immediately sound. For who on this earth knows better is wiser than God?
Yes the world, and those who love it twist the scripture ignorantly or unscrupulously. They brazenly toss their heads back and wipe their mouth daintily, saying I’ve done no wrong. Let,, We must, Let the lion of Judah roar back. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight oh lord my strength an my redeemer! Is there not a cause. Here ma I Lord send me.
It’s really getting bad out there Steve. Thank you for this incredibly important post. Have a wonderful day today 🙂