he word Heresy in scripture is the Greek word [hairesis], from the root [haireomai], which literally means "a choosing," and by extension, a choice of one side over another, hence faction, party or sect. In the biblical Christian application (and this is an important distinction) it refers to any doctrine held by any faction or party that depart from essential Christian truths in disunion with the established laws of God. Parties, sects or factions holding to such caustic doctrines are called Heretics. So What Is Heresy and who are Heritics?

1st Timothy 4:1-2

• "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
• Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"

Ephesians 6:11-13

• "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
• For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
• Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

1st Timothy 3:15

• "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

2nd Peter 2:1-3

• "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
• And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
• And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

Titus 1:16

• "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

2nd Thessalonians 2:10

• "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

2nd Timothy 3:4-8

• "Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
• Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
• For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
• Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
• Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."

1st Corinthians 11:18-19

• "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
• For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."

2nd Timothy 2:17-20

• "And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
• Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
• Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
• But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour."

In the real sense, a heretic is synonymous with an antichrist. That is to say, anyone with the spirit of disobedience who comes opposed to Christ's teachings, or uses their own words as a substitute for the word of God. They are making themselves a substitute Christ (false Christ or false god), or antichrist. They are coming as spirits opposed to Christ, and as such are heretics, reprobate concerning the faith. In simple terms, Heresy is any departure from the truth. There is only one truth and it is prescribed by the Word of God, and any thing that speaks against that truth is a Heresy. But we should also understand that this doesn't necessarily mean that there is always an evil intent by someone who has said something heretical. We were probably all heretics before coming to the knowledge of the truth. That is to say, most of us were speaking things which were opposed to Christ. But once we became saved, we were enlightened by the Spirit to know truth and depart from that Heresy.

John 7:17

• "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

Luke 6:46-49

• "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
• Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
• He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
• But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."

    May the Lord who is wise above all, give us the wisdom to understand His word, and the strength to stand in the whole armor of God, to fight the good fight.

Amen!