False teachers

I've noticed that a few opponents of same sex marriage or gay ministers often refer to passages of scripture referring to false teachers or heretics. Take for example the following passage from 2 Peter 2:

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping".

If you sincerely believe that God is against all forms of homosexuality, then these kinds of passage are very appealing. However, if we don't understand the context, we can essentially hear "any teaching we don't like must be a heresy, and we must be prepared for one to materialise". Some passages refer to sexual immorality, which is we think refers to homosexuality, again backs up our view.

Unfortunately, this approach to the Bible is really one that is about finding what we want to hear and it's incredibly easy to do.

Take for example my finding of this verse which I read to oppose opponents of same sex marriage (1 Timothy 4):

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."

I actually don't believe that most opponents of same sex marriage are false teachers. I think most are sincere, genuine believers who have a different understanding of the Scriptures from me. I love them as brothers and sisters, and I am convinced that Paul teaches me, inspired by the Holy Spirit, how to deal with these situations in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8.

What it teaches me is that I need to resist the temptation of throwing Bible verses at people I disagree with, but instead find a way of loving them and worshipping alongside them...