But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9

In our nation, we seem to be swinging wildly between two extremes, neither of which is true:  1) God loves sin, and 2) God hates sinners.  The truth of the matter is in the middle: God loves people, but He hates sin.  We are to speak the truth in love.  There is no verse in the Bible that defines love as telling people what they want to hear instead of the truth, nor remaining quiet when there is an opportunity to share what God's word says on a subject. 

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You.  Psalm 5:4

Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.  Psalm 97:10

For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  Matthew 6:14

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. ...With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.  Ephesians 4:14-15, 17-19

background paper, carved wood frame: Assemblage by Marta van Eck; texture by me; clock: free stock photo

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!  Galatians 1:8

Species: Sheep; Group Name: drove, flock, herd

Stop the stampede!  Lasso the leader that the rest are following!

Don't follow the herd off that cliff!  Warn others!  

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Ephesians 4:14

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.  Matthew 7:15

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons  1 Timothy 4:1

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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  2 Timothy 4:3-4

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.  2 John 1:7

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.  Colossians 2:8

lasso: free web image; other elements, background paper, alpha: Heather Roselli; image collage made from web images; page overlay by Marta van Eck

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25

kit: Match Made in Heaven Boho Baby by Psychozoe Designs (retired); template by Akizo Designs