Introduction

• The Possibility

• Some Causes for Being Wrong

• The Consequences of Being Wrong

• How to Avoid Being Wrong

• What to Do When You Learn That You Are Wrong

The Possibility

• No one is above being wrong!– Adam and Eve

(Genesis 3:1-6)

– Moses (Numbers 20:8-12)

– Israel in the wilderness (Numbers 13:27-14:10)

– David (2 Samuel 11:1-12:14)

– Peter (Matthew 26:69-75)

The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• I accepted someone else's word. I accepted someone else's word. • I approached the agreement with a I approached the agreement with a

preconceived idea, preconceived idea, • I read into the agreement what I wanted it I read into the agreement what I wanted it

to say, to say, • My intent was sincere and honest; I only My intent was sincere and honest; I only

wanted to do good. wanted to do good. • I only read part of the information, not I only read part of the information, not

considering everything that was said.considering everything that was said.

The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• Many put too much stock in what others say.– Creeds (Church

fathers, Popes, reformers)

– Preachers– Parents– Spouses– Friends

Numbers 13:31-14:4

Matthew 15:8,9

Galatians 1:6-9

The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• The danger of a preconceived idea– We all have some

preconceived notions.

– Preconceived ideas do not formulate truth!

– We MUST be honest and humble with truth. (2 Kings 5:11)

– Some allow pride and their egos to blind them to the truth. (Proverbs 14:12)

Proverbs 14:12

Acts 17:11,12

2 Timothy 2:15

I think . . .I want . . .I feel . . .

The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• The danger of a preconceived idea– The danger of reading

into a text that which is NOT there…or of not seeing what is there

• The plan of salvation• The church of Christ• The worship of the

church• The work of the church

Proverbs 14:12

Acts 17:11,12

2 Timothy 2:15

I think . . .I want . . .I feel . . .

The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• Sincerity and honesty alone are not enough.– David (1 Chronicles

13:15:2,13)

– Paul (Acts 23;1; 24:16)

– Cornelius (Acts 10)

– Sincerity and honesty motivate us to keep searching for the truth.

– When we close our eyes to the truth, we cease being sincere and honest.

Proverbs 30:12

Jeremiah 10:23

2 Corinthians 13:5

The Path to the Wrong Conclusion

• Not considering all the evidence– The inductive Bible study

method (2 Timothy 2:15;3:15; Psalm 119:160)

– Many misunderstand the Scriptures SIMPLY because they fail to apply this fundamental rule to reading/study. (Matthew 4:7)

– Examples: Plan of Salvation; Worship; Work of the Church.

Proverbs 14:8

Jeremiah 4:22

Ephesians 5:17

Consequences of Being Wrong

• We cannot afford to be wrong regarding matters of faith:– Christ’s death, burial, and

resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

– The Deity of Christ (John 8:24)

– What we must do to be saved (Acts 4:12)

– Acts of worship (John 4:24)

– What we do in service to the Lord (Colossians 3:17)

Consequences of Being Wrong

• Temporal consequences:– Sin causes hardship

(Proverbs 13:15)

– Brings difficulty upon our children (Exodus 34:7)

– Contributes to society’s decadence (Matthew 5:13-16)

– Can cause others who follow us to be lost (Genesis 6:5,6)

Consequences of Being Wrong

• Spiritual consequences:– Family’s spiritual well

being (Luke 16:19-31)

– Examples before others (Philippians 2:15)

– Eternal consequences (Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:28,29; 12:48; 2 Corinthians 5;10,11)

Consequences of Being Wrong

• If I am wrong, who is at fault?– Jesus came to reveal the

truth and the way (John 8:32; 14:6)

– The Holy Spirit revealed all truth (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16)

– We can read and understand God’s words (Ephesians 3:3-5)

– They are not too difficult to obey (1 John 5:1-4)

Consequences of Being Wrong

• If I am lost because I’m wrong, who is at fault?– We cannot excuse

ourselves on the basis of sincerity (Romans 10:1-3; Acts 23:1;John 4:24)

– We cannot excuse ourselves by arguing that God’s word is too difficult to understand and obey (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)

Conclusion

• I am wrong—now what?– I must turn away from my

error (REPENT)– I MUST do whatever God

requires of me

•Believe Believe •RepentRepent•Confess ChristConfess Christ•Be baptized Be baptized into Christ into Christ

Conclusion

• I am wrong—now what?– I must turn away from my

error (REPENT)– I MUST do whatever God

requires of me

* * RepentRepent

• Confess SinConfess Sin

• Pray and seekPray and seek God’s God’s forgiveness forgiveness

•Your soul is too valuable (Matthew 16:26)

•You can know the truth (John 8:32; 14:6)

•You can obey the truth (1 Peter 1:22)