A Woofelly Faith Is Dangerous

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Scriptural Reference:

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:3-5

But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. [23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like to a man beholding his natural face in a glass: [24] For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was. [25] But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:22-25

For if there come to your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
James 2:2

But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:20


Reflection:

Sadly I know someone who is not at all unique. She embodies a Post Christian mindset or paradigm that is common among both Christians and spiritualist. A sort laissez-faire when it comes to defining their faith and what they believe in. This mindset has crept into the church. Making people less likely to stand firmly in an acknowledge faith that Jesus the Christ is God's only Son and that He alone is the only way to be reconciled with God and enter heaven. The term this person I know uses, her words not mine, is 'Woofelly Faith'. So it's a Woofelly faith made up of many spiritual threads from many spiritual and religious beliefs. It lacks solidity and tends to be flexible in that anything can be good if we just believe it to be good. Where God is not all that judgmental. If he, or she in some cases, is difficult we only need remind him just how good we are and all will be right in the universe.

This new quasi faith is also termed as being double minded. James uses this term, double minded, twice. He warns that being double minded is a problem that can damage the Christian church as well as the Christians who attend (James 1:8; James 4:8). The way it manifests itself in a Christians life is dangerous as it can destroy their witness. If allowed to continue it can even damage their fellowship with God and other Christians.

A look at the The Greek word, as translated, "double-minded" is dipsuchos from dis meaning "twice," and psuche meaning "mind.". James uses this term to describe someone who is divided in their interests or loyalties. They're wavering, uncertain, two-faced and halfhearted in how they live and relate their faith. This concept of being with a double-mind is a theme throughout his letter. When someone starts to live a life that has a double minded view of their relationship with God; it can start to affect their fellowship. Which will mirror their double-mindedness. A topic that James expressed throughout his letters.

An example of this double-mindedness or hypocrisy can been seen when someone going to a church for the first time is dressed in the clothes that they can afford. Those clothes may be torn and tattered and really all they have. But their curiosity and interest to learn more about God has encouraged them to step forward. How often though are they scrutinised and judged by those regular members. Looking down on them based just on the clothes they wear. James gives a good account of this in (James 2:2). The experience for the individual is negative and may force them away from knowing Jesus as their saviour. So what we can learn from this form of woofelly faith is that looking good doesn't make us any better then the non-Christian. Being woofelly and double-minded makes some people arrogant and critical of others. It's down right toxic.

Getting back to the person who thinks that all faiths or religions lead to God; I'd like to pray that they have an epiphany moment. One where they will wake up and realise that there is only one name by which we can be saved. That being Jesus the Christ. And that any other distraction will not help them understand God and the hope of His Grace and Salvation through His Son. But sadly I fear that not only have they deluded themselves, but they have also deluded many others.

I pray that you are safe in the solid faith of a perfect God and His Son Jesus the Christ.

Prayer:
Heavenly God,
I pray that my faith is firm.
That the Holy Spirit will,
Guide and encourage me,
Bless and instruct me,
Lead and protect me,
Through these difficult times.

I pray these things,
In your Son precious name,
Jesus the Christ.

Amen