Don't Touch This

 I believe that Psalm 105:15 is one of the scriptures most taken out of context in the Bible. Many have quoted the passage, "Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm" as a means of avoiding accountability for false teaching and for sin. Not everyone who stands behind a pulpit and calls themselves a preacher is anointed by God. Sorry folks but that's the truth!

  In ignorance, I have been guilty of misquoting this scripture in the past to defend certain preachers. I didn't do it because of defiance or with a holier than thou attitude but because of my own lack of knowledge. I simply didn't fully understand the Word of God. Thus the scripture...2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Study the word prayerfully and pray for understanding knowledge...and wisdom. The word says if anyone need wisdom, let him/her ask and it will be given generously. What a promise!

  When studying Psalm 105:15, you will see that it has nothing to do with questioning the teachings of church leaders. In this context, rather, the words "touch" and "do no harm" refer to inflicting physical harm upon someone. Specifically, the phrase "touch not the Lord's anointed" refers to David's hesitance to kill King Saul when the opportunity arose. Previously, David indeed had rebuked Saul publicly, and he had done it more than once.

  Although Saul was referred to as "God's anointed," Saul still needed to be accountable for his actions and his words.

  That goes for double anyone who preaches the gospel. If what they are preaching is not scripturally sound, they've opened that teaching up to some serious scrutiny and if I find what they're preaching doesn't line up with the word of God I will be one of the first to call them on it.

  Throughout Scripture, we constantly see both Jesus and the Apostles calling out false teachers of the faith. Jesus rebukes false teachers in Matthew 23 and Luke 11. The Bible is filled with other examples of people calling out false teachers. In the book of 2 Timothy, as an example, the Apostle Paul names a number of false teachers by name:

1:15- Phygellus & Hermogenes

2:17 – Philetus & Hymenaues

3:8- Jannes & Jambres

4:10- Demas

4:14 -Alexander (the coppersmith).

  Now that it has been proven that there is a biblical mandate in the Bible both from Jesus, Himself, and His Apostles, let's take a closer look at some of the scriptures that clearly indicate this biblical authorization to 'judge' the fruit of false teachers.

  Romans 16:17 “Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

  As can be seen in this verse identifying and marking “them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine” of the Lord, is to be a regular part of the Christian life. In the day and age when the rapid increase of false teaching and teachers are changing their message at an alarming rate, those who love the Lord must examine and test everything against the final authority of the Word of God.

  Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

  Would the all-knowing God have put such a warning in His Word if being spoiled were not possible? One of the ways a person can be spoiled, or lose their salt is through false doctrines and beliefs that promote man over the Sovereignty of God.

  Ephesians 5:11 "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

  Unfortunately, I am not the only one who ever has committed the error of misrepresenting Psalm 105:15. I'm sure each time someone does, it grieves the heart of God.

In His love,
Elizabeth