The history of spiritual deception is not marked by an open frontal assault on the throne of God, but by a subtle, tactical dismantling of His standards. A forensic examination of those who have historically led the flock astray reveals a consistent, damning pattern: the systematic silencing of God’s Law. This omission is not a matter of theological preference; it is a mechanical necessity for the work of deception.
The Mandate of the Strong Man
To understand why a false teacher must avoid the Law, one must look at the blueprint provided in Matthew 12:29:
“Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.”
In the economy of the soul, the Law of God serves as the “Strong Man.” It is the sentry at the gate of the conscience, the guardian of the heart’s treasures, and the standard by which every intruder is measured. The Law identifies the thief, defines the crime of sin, and sounds the alarm when the boundary of holiness is crossed.
The false teacher’s objective is to “spoil the house”—to carry away the truth and replace it with a counterfeit. However, no man can rob a house while a vigilant guard stands at the door. Therefore, the “Strong Man” must be bound.
The Mechanics of the Binding
The binding of the Law is rarely done through an outright denial of Scripture. Instead, it is achieved through the “traditions of men” and the “doctrines of devils.” In Matthew 12:24-26, the Pharisees attempted to bind the authority of Christ by mislabeling His power. Modern deceivers follow this same path by mislabeling God’s Law:
- The Label of Legalism: By branding the preaching of the commandments as “legalism,” the false teacher creates a psychological bond that prevents the believer from reaching for the Law as a defense.
- The Label of Irrelevance: By claiming the Law was “nailed to the cross” in a way that eliminates its moral requirement, they effectively gag the sentinel.
- The Label of Tradition: As the Pharisees did, false teachers often bury the Law under a mountain of man-made rules and “personal revelations” until the original commandment is no longer visible or functional.
Once the Law is bound—once the believer is convinced that the commandments are no longer the objective standard for their life—the sentinel is neutralized. The “Strong Man” is tied up in the basement of “progressive theology,” leaving the house completely undefended.
The Spoiling of the Goods
With the guard bound, the plundering begins. This is the hallmark of the false teacher. Without the Law to define sin, the teacher is free to redefine “blessing” as material gain, “faith” as a tool for self-actualization, and “grace” as a license for the very lawlessness Christ warned against.
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:12)
The word “iniquity” (anomia) is literally “lawlessness.” A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, and a pulpit divided against the Law cannot produce a holy people. The false teacher must keep his house “undivided” by ensuring that the convicting light of the Law never shines upon his methods.
The Forensic Verdict
The evidence is conclusive: The absence of God’s Law is the primary indicator of a spiritual heist in progress. A true shepherd arms the “Strong Man” of the conscience with the Word of God, strengthening the guard to protect the soul. A false teacher binds him with “fair speeches and flattering words” to ensure the plundering can continue undisturbed.
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20)