⁹ Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

False teaching proliferates in the Christian world. That should not surprise anyone. The fallen nature likes that which is new, cutting edge, “hip,” and cool. Books and videos with catchy words like, “New, “Innovative,” “Exciting” draw us in to cure the mundaneness of life, even the Christian life. Increasingly the packaging of the message takes more and more time, energy and expense, so that the thrill of the packing and unpacking is greater than that of the message itself. Discernment becomes the casualty.

The truth present in the book of Hebrews is a great message. However, as with all great things, after awhile, with much rehearsing of the truth in song, study, preaching and praising the Lord, human nature digresses into tedium and monotony in need of a jolt. False teachers know how to “work a crowd” and capitalize on the longings of the heart for something “new.”

False teachings and teachers always find their way back to controlling people’s behaviors through laws and rituals. Since they cannot control the inner life, they seek to control the external life. And Christians too willingly fall prey to such efforts at achievement and merit through external works. One fairly universal, outward effort manifests itself in ritual eating or lack thereof (that is, fasting). To be sure fasting is at times commended as seen in Scripture (see for example in Acts 14:23 where Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted over the elder selection process). But as a means of spiritual growth, grace is a far better medium for advancement than human efforts and disciplines. One should be cautious about the current movement toward learning from the monastics about the disciplined life—this borders on sanctification by self-effort rather than by God’s grace. The benefit to a believer is slim at best.

“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence” (Col 2:20–23).

We are saved by grace through the once-for-all-time sacrifice of Christ and we should continue in the same, living by grace.

Lord, help me to never forget to live in the light of Your grace.