In the book of Proverbs we have not a suggestion but a command, “Buy the truth and sell it not” (23:23). Truth is truth; a matter is either true or not true. Truth has no tolerance. Truth is absolute, it varies not. There is no such thing as a half-truth; a half-truth is a whole lie. A man may say some things in his preaching that are true, and not be preaching the whole truth. Therefore it is not what he is preaching that is so dangerous and misleading; it is what he is not preaching. A ‘good’ false prophet comes close to the truth, he says a lot of things that are true, but does not preach the whole truth. In Romans 1:18 God charges men for “holding down (suppressing) the truth in unrighteousness.” This is a serious charge. The late C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) said this about truth… “I cannot endure false doctrine, however neatly it may be put before me. Would you have me eat poisoned meat because the dish is of the choicest ware? It makes me indignant when I hear another gospel put before the people with enticing words by men who would fain make merchandise of souls; and I marvel at those who have soft words for such deceivers. ‘That is your bigotry,’ says one. Call it so if you like; but it is the BIGOTRY OF THE LOVING JOHN, who wrote, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (2 John vv, 10-11) “I would to God we all had more of such decision, for the lack of it is depriving our religious life of its backbone and substituting for honest manliness a mass of tremulous jelly of mutual flattery. HE WHO DOES NOT HATE THE FALSE DOES NOT LOVE THE TRUE: and he to whom it is all the same, whether it be God’s word or man’s, is himself unrenewed at heart. “Oh, if some of you were like your fathers, you would not have tolerated in this age the wagon loads of trash under which the gospel has been of late buried by ministers of your own choosing. The apostle spoke by inspiration when he said, “…But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8). According to modern effeminacy he ought to have said, “Let him be kindly spoken with in private, but pray make no stir. No doubt the good brother has his own original modes of thought and we must not question his liberty. Doubtless he believes the same as we do; only there is some little difference as to terms.” This is treason to Christ, treachery to truth, and cruelty to souls. IF WE LOVE OUR LORD, WE SHALL KEEP HIS WORDS AND STAND FAST IN THE FAITH, coming out from among the false teachers. Nor is this inconsistent with charity; for the truest love to those who err is not to fraternize with them in their error, but to be faithful to Jesus Christ in all things.
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