How to Handle a Heretic

Carrie sneezed for the fifth time in a row. “She keeps bringing up her latest heresies; she keeps getting more unbiblical all the time.”

“She’s a heretic. That’s what they do—come up with heresies.” Mark shrugged. “I know you’ve been friends with her for a while, but maybe it’s time to move on. It’s like a sickness. Teresa sneezes into the air, hoping to spread her germs—but heresy is nothing a Christian should catch.”

“I have corrected her twice by now.” Carrie glanced at her husband, and then she gazed down at her tightly gripped tissue. “Teresa has been a good friend to me over the past few years. Yet … Well, I just keep hoping that she will come around, that she will trust the Bible instead of her own prideful fancies. But if God clearly shows me that I need to move on, I will.”

The next morning Carrie awoke feeling much better physically, but when she read a new e-mail from Teresa, a knot formed in her stomach. Carrie prayed and carefully replied; then she headed to the kitchen table for breakfast.

“So I finally ended my friendship with Teresa,” Carrie told her husband after a sip of coffee. “This morning I received another e-mail. Teresa continues trying to entangle me in her heretical views, and there always seems to be a new one she wants to share. This time I simply told her that I must end our friendship, because she refuses to turn from her heresies. As you pointed out, it’s like the cold I’m getting over—heresy tends to spread. And I value the Bible way much more than any friendship. So from a distance, I will fervently pray that she will repent.”