Shun and Avoid Heretics

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” (Titus 3:10-11)

The word “heretick” refers to one who follows after false doctrine, teaching, opinion, or thought that is contrary to or self-willed against the clear revelations of the Holy Scriptures (God breathed words). Any man or woman that perverts or twists the Scriptures to conform to their own desires and opinions is a heretic. Any man or woman that fully rejects the clear Gospel of Grace in Jesus Christ, according to the Scriptures, is a reprobate. One who professes to believe the Scriptures but only as he chooses to modify it is a heretic. The Holy Scriptures are for no private interpretation.

The word “admonition” means to draw attention to or to warn. The word “reject” has the idea of to shun, to avoid, or to not keep company with. Therefore, once a heretic’s attention has been brought to the truth of the Holy Scriptures (whether he believes it or not) and has been warned of his perversion, if he ignores or rejects the truth as given in the Scriptures the heretic is to be shunned by those who believe and follow the truth. The believers of truth are not to keep company with the heretics that reject, twist, and pervert the truth. The sons of God are to separate themselves from heretics.

Why? Because, we “know” or understand that heretics are perverted and corrupted for the worse. They seek not to be obedient unto the Holy Scriptures, but search out the desires of their own hearts that they might establish their own righteousness and refuse to submit to the righteousness of God. (Rom. 10:3) In doing this the heretics condemn their own selves. For this reason obedient believers are to shun them and avoid being in their company, be they friend, foe, or relative. It is a matter of love and faithfulness toward God. No one in truth has ever said Christianity is easy. We are in the world but not of it, and the world frankly does not understand us.