2 John 11 KJV
[11] “For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Most of us would never see ourselves hooking up with the heathens of this world. We do not worship the same God, nor do we have the same interest in mind. The big question is not how we see it, but rather how God sees it. He always sees things more clearly than we do.
In this verse, the Lord draws a narrow line for those who would show a false teacher hospitality. The Bible says if you will show him kindness, then you are a partaker of his evil deeds. There is some pretty stout language in this text. You mean to tell me that just one kind gesture links me to his entire agenda? Why would the Lord be so harsh in this judgement?
The reason is because it encourages the false teacher to continue on. It makes him feel good about what he is doing, and blinds him to his own error. A false teacher needs to experience rejection and confrontation with the truth. He is not going to receive this from the world, so the responsibility is upon our shoulders. If there is any chance of him seeing the error of his ways, then it will only come by us standing against his teaching, and not encouraging him in his evil deeds.
Another reason is, that if you show him kindness, then how much farther will you go? It is no different than the devil himself showing up at your house, knocking on the door and wanting to come in. He’s not going to show up with horns, a tail, dressed in red and a pitch fork. Indulge me long enough to ask, if he did show up like this would you tell him to have a good day? The answer is “no” because you want nothing to do with him. God says to have the same attitude toward false teachers. They are the devil, showing up with a book in their hand, neatly dressed, and with a friendly smile. They are waiting to see if you will let them in, or at least bid them a good day. Say nothing good that links you to their evil deeds.