That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Ephesians 4:14
One of the fascinating sights that we encountered during a trip to Newfoundland was the tuckamore. These were trees that grew near the shore where a strong wind was almost constant. These spruce trees did not grow tall, but it was not their diminutive size that caught our attention, it was the fact that they had limbs on only one side. They looked like they had been brushed with a giant brush. They all leaned in the same direction. Christians should be like tuckamore.
If I were to return to Newfoundland, I am sure I would find the tuckamore leaning in the same direction as the last time I saw it. The limbs on the trees would not have changed sides. Those tough little old trees have had their destinies shaped permanently by a steady and powerful wind. Do you know any Christians like that? Never affected by the new ideas that come along! Never uncertain about what the Bible has to say on essential topics! Always confident in the guidance and direction they receive from God! Tuckamore Christians don’t change.
Paul speaks about the winds of doctrine that carry immature Christians from place to place and from idea to idea. Such winds are not of God, because God never changes. Such doctrines are not true, because God’s Word is settled forever (Psalm 119:89). And yet, there is no end of people coming along with new ideas and teachings to tickle the ears of the immature.
Why do the folks at the Gospel Hall cling so tenaciously to the old ways? Why continue to use the King James version of the Bible, for instance? Why do we resist change long after change has been embraced by other Christians? May I submit that this resistance to change bespeaks maturity more than old-fashionedness? If God gave good men clear direction in time past, why should we rush to change?
It would take a strong and permanent change in the wind to make any difference in the way the tuckamore grows. It would also take many years. Make sure that the wind that blows you to change is of God. Or else don’t change! -Jim MacIntosh