A Look At Spiritual Malpractice
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles Tags: Bible Lessons on SpiritualityWhen we think of malpractice, we immediately think of a physician’s dereliction of duty with regard to the practice and care of his patient’s well-being.
We are familiar with malpractice suits coming about because of a surgical instrument, sponge, or some other object being left inside a patient after surgery, but have we ever thought about preachers and Bible teachers? Have we ever considered malpractice in this area?
Have we ever thought about the fact that incorrect exegesis of a passage, or series of passages, or the twisting of the Scriptures can be even more damaging to us than what any doctor might cause through an oversight?
Our Lord once warned that we need not fear the individual who can destroy the body, but rather, we need to fear God who can who can destroy both our body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28-NKJV). A false teacher can help facilitate that possibility (2 Peter 3:14-17-NKJV; cf. Gal. 1:6-7-NKJV).
This is one of the reasons why the writer James emphasized the responsibility of spiritual teachers (James 3:1-NKJV), because teachers will receive the greater condemnation if they lead folks astray from the truth found in the inspired Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17-NKJV).
Brethren and friends, the Great Physician can be totally trusted in taking care of the spiritual needs of our soul (Luke 4:18-NKJV; Isaiah 61:1-2-NKJV), for His spiritual prescriptions are always correct (cf. Psalm 19:7-14-NKJV; Psalm 119-NKJV).
But how many in the day of judgment will be penalized by God for spiritual malpractice in religious matters? Let’s beware, lest we be one of them (cf. Hosea 4:6-10-NKJV; Acts 20:28-31-NKJV; 1 Timothy 4:1-3-NKJV; Hebrews 3:8-12-NKJV; 2 Peter 2:1-3-NKJV).