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 13:31-14:4Matthew 15:8,9Galatians 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)