Why Is Modalism Dangerous?

Now that I've explained why Modalism is wrong, I need to warn every one about its dangers. These people who hold to it concentrate on external issues while taking the focus away from the renewal of people's hearts and minds. Since sanctification is the goal of every believer, thwarting the Holy Spirit's work in us is sinful. That's what Modalism does.

Many of these Pentecostal offshoots stress clean living to the point that it becomes an external measurement of holiness. Because some churches insist that congregants come dressed in only their finest clothes, people end up judging others who might not own fine garments.

I know this from personal experience. When I attended that aberrant house church, I was constantly chided for having long hair, wearing jeans and T shirts, and similar external actions. I was their most faithful attendee but the elders still got on my case about these supposed lapses in holiness.

We can see the utter stupidity of legalism exposed in the Apostle Paul's letters. Colossians 2:20-23 (BBE) says, "If you were made free, by your death with Christ, from the rules of the world, why do you put yourselves under the authority of orders Which say there may be no touching, tasting, or taking in your hands, (Rules which are all to come to an end with their use) after the orders and teaching of men? These things seem to have a sort of wisdom in self-ordered worship and making little of oneself, and being cruel to the body, not honouring it by giving it its natural use."

And as he wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV), "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

As the Bible says in 1 Peter 5:5 (KJV), "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

The worst thing about legalism is that it makes people proud. They feel that the rest of the churches are wrong or immature so they take pride in their doctrines. James 4:10 (KJV) says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

We know from a multitude of scriptures that it's pride which sends people to hell. The most blatant case of spiritual arrogance is seen in the Pharisees but it also happens today in people who feel they're good enough to go to heaven. That's why I want to write my book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Maybe God will use it to steer folks away from prideful self-reliance.