The Insecurity and Emotional Stress of Bad Teaching

Max Fernandez

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Introductory thoughts:

Insecurity is defined as uncertainty or anxiety about oneself or lack of confidence. Sometimes the phrase emotional stress is used to identify something who has internal turmoil.

Insecurity

A manager and a sales rep stood looking at a map on which colored pins indicated the company representative in each area. “I’m not going to fire you, Wilson,” the manager said, “but I’m loosening your pin a bit just to emphasize the insecurity of your situation.”

Bits & Pieces, May 26, 1994, p. 9.

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

Of the various reasons why Paul is writing to these believers, one of the primary reasons is to encourage them not to be “shaken in mind” or “troubled”

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Move, Moved, Mover, Moving, Unmoveable

saleuo (σαλεύω, 4531), “to shake,” properly of the action of stormy wind, then, “to render insecure, stir up,” is rendered “I should (not) be moved” in Acts 2:25, in the sense of being cast down or shaken from a sense of security and happiness, said of Christ, in a quotation from Ps. 16:8. See SHAKE, STIR (Up).

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Trouble

10. throeo (θροέω, 2360), “to make an outcry” (throos, “a tumult”), is used in the passive voice, Matt. 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 24:37; 2 Thess. 2:2.¶ In the Sept., Song of Sol. 5:4.¶

Now why would they be insecure, anxious, or troubled?

- To show that God will bring justice to those who are oppressing them.

indicates that these Christians were being persecuted. This may bring a little anxiousness; but the reality is that first century Christianity expected persecution:

John 15:20 KJV 1900

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

So, if persecution was an expected thing, what is it that caused these Christians to be so anxious and unsettled? A look at gives to us a clue about what brought about this anxiety.

- To show that the false teaching about the 2nd Coming needs to be corrected

There was apparently some teaching that had changed their beliefs.

When their beliefs had changed, they began to experience this internal turmoil.

Paul had warned the church in Ephesus about being carried about with every wind of doctrine. See

Illustration:

A Definition of Discouragement

Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God. - William Ward.

Today in the Word, April, 1989, p. 18

Galaxie Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.

You see, when our expectations are set by some kind of standard, and those expectations are met, then it seems that there would be no cause for worry; but when what we expect is changed and what’s happens does not seem to match what we expected, we tend to become anxious.

Illustration:

For example, we expect that the check we worked for will be deposited into the account; so when it isn’t, we become worried. We expect that our blood results will come back healthy, so, when they don’t we become anxious. We expect that when Jesus returns he will correct all of the wrongs in the world; but if we are told that he already came or that he’s not coming, then we have cause for worry.

When what we believed or what we expected is changed by something or someone, then is leads to a loss of hope. This can lead to anxiousness and discouragement. This insecurity and emotional stress can be overwhelming, and it becomes apparent.

This is when we tend to take matters into our own hands. Rather than trusting God with

- To show what our behavior needs to be like because of a right understanding of the 2nd Coming

Proposition:

To the Christian, there is rest, security, and emotional stability that can only be experienced in the Lord.

(1) Security and emotional stability is rooted in what is certain. (v. 1)

(a) Paul had established the truth when he had been with them the first time. ;

(b) There were two problems being addressed by Paul:

The first deals with the “day of the Lord” -

The phrase “at hand” - Enestēken (“is present”) does not denote imminence, but actual presence. Thomas, R. L. (1981). 2 Thessalonians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon (Vol. 11, p. 319). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon A. The False Claim (2:1, 2)

Enestēken (“is present”) does not denote imminence, but actual presence.

Thomas, R. L. (1981). 2 Thessalonians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through Philemon (Vol. 11, p. 319). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

The second deals with the “gathering together unto him”

As people who are being dispersed, God’s people have always looked forward to a time when they would be gathered together in one place.

After the wandering in Egypt, God brought the children into the Land of Promise

After the exile to Babylon, God brought back his people to the Land under the rule of: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerabbabel

There is hope in the fact that God will bring all of the children of Abraham, by faith, together at the coming of Jesus Christ

Now, these two truths were being undermined. It is at this point that Paul is calling upon what he had previously told them.

#1 - It is certain that Jesus is coming again

#2 - It is certain that we will be gathered unto him.

Application:

And so it is that security and emotional stability can only be found in believing what is absolutely true. The moment that we become swayed by things that exalt themselves against God, is the moment that we entered into the state of anxiousness.

is so helpful in this matter.

(2) Security and emotional stability is rooted in truth in spite of “spiritual” communications. (v. 2)

This passage enumerates three potential ways in which this bad teaching entered into the body of people:

(i) “by spirit” - This is referencing that the teaching may have entered in by someone showing forth some kind of spiritual gift: like prophecy or like tongues...

(ii) “by word” - This seems to simply meet by “report”; some kind of rational speech

(iii) “by letter” - This is some kind of writing

However the expectations of these people were changed, it is clear that they accepted or gullible to the means of communication. It was something that they took in as truth by some kind of testimony.

This should come as no surprise to us - since false apostles do exactly what Satan does and that is transform themselves.

Application:

This is a stern and sobering warning: Just because the messenger is some gifted person or because you have received truth from that particular author before does not mean that you should continue to receive what they are saying.

There are gifted evangelists who are preaching today, and they are NOT speaking the truth. I heard one recently speaking and applying TYPOLOGY in a way that is not faithful to all of the Bible.

There are gifted writers who have said many good things, but a closer look at their writings will reveal that they are not consistent with the truth of scripture. I was recently disappointed to read some writings by a prominent author about child-rearing. Not once could I find the “gospel” in his writings.

Application:

(1) Compare and contrast all teachings with the clear teaching of the apostles' doctrine. (v. 1) - ; ,

(2) Assemble together as evidence of your faith in our future gathering to Christ (v. 1) -

(3) Don't accept the message simply because of the means of the message (v. 2) - IRONY OF IRONIES

Illustration:

Stress Makes You Sick

Topics: Anxiety; Illness; Peace; Security in God; Stress; Trust; Worry

1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 647: Stress Makes You Sick

STRESS MAKES YOU SICK

Topics: Anxiety; Illness; Peace; Security in God; Stress; Trust; Worry

References: Psalm 55:22; Matthew 11:30; 1 Peter 5:7

In times of emotional stress, a hormone, neuropeptide Y (NPY), is released into the body. This hormone undermines the body’s immune system and literally makes you sick.

That’s what a team of Australian researchers at Sydney’s Garvan Institute scientifically confirmed in 2005. According to Fabienne Mackay of the institute, “During periods of stress, nerves release a lot of NPY, and it gets into the bloodstream where it inhibits the cells in the immune system that look out for and destroy pathogens in the body.

“That stress makes you sick is no longer a myth; it is a reality, and we need to take it seriously.”

—“Australian Scientists Find Proof That Stress Makes You Sick,” Breitbart.com (December 4, 2005)

References: ; ;

In times of emotional stress, a hormone, neuropeptide Y (NPY), is released into the body. This hormone undermines the body’s immune system and literally makes you sick.

“That stress makes you sick is no longer a myth; it is a reality, and we need to take it seriously.”

—“Australian Scientists Find Proof That Stress Makes You Sick,” Breitbart.com (December 4, 2005)

Larson, C. B., & Ten Elshof, P. (2008). 1001 illustrations that connect (p. 360). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

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