Have you ever noticed the word “Godspeed” in your Bible, and wondered what it meant? Let me show you the reference in the scriptures about this word, and then I’ll explain its meaning.
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught], do not receive him [do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement.” 2 John 10 AMP
Well essentially, to bid someone Godspeed means that you are speaking wellness and success over them, promoting them, and asking God that what they are doing will thrive and go forward. Today this could be done by sending them offerings, buying their materials, attending their events, and promoting them through social media, and any number of other things.
Today we invite these false teachers into our homes through television and radio, through a variety of websites and social media outlets, as well as by purchasing their books and subscribing to their magazines. Pathetically, their false doctrines are given legitimacy by the number of views they are receiving on Youtube, and usually by believers who are unfaithful to their own local church. And whether you realize it or not, by supporting them in these ways, even if it is by doing something as simple as liking or sharing their posts on Facebook for example, you are wishing them Godspeed.
Look at what the Bible says about propelling these people forward.
“Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9 AMP
To be clear, there will always be false prophets and false teachers in the Body of Christ, according to what Jesus said (see Matthew 24:11, 24). And what I find really sad, is that many ministers can’t even tell the genuine from the fake, so how could they qualify to teach the people in their congregation and warn them to beware of them, as the scriptures clearly tell us they are required to do?
But just because there will always be fake ministers who vomit forth their poisonous doctrines, doesn’t mean that you or I should want to be found propelling them forward into other lives and homes and churches.
Because just as they will stand before God for their deceptive, deadly teachings, everyone who is involved in promoting them, regardless of how insignificant that promotion seems to be, will give account for it as well, as the scripture below indicates.
“For he who wishes him success [who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings.” 2 John 11 AMP
What these people bring into the Church is “damnable heresies,” which means destructive doctrines that start out sounding good, but then they deviate off from the truth of God’s Word (see 2 Peter 2:1-3). And what I find disgusting is that many believers are following these false prophets and teachers, completely abandoning the truth of God’s Word.
Perhaps they are doing this because they are ignorant of the Word. What I mean is, almost no one appears to read their Bible in a disciplined manner anymore, let alone study it. And sadly, I’m including a large number of ministers into this category. So, is it any wonder that they gladly swallow things being fed to them that are laced with venom and corruption, all because of their own biblical ignorance?
The Apostle Paul dealt with these very things throughout his ministry, as false teachers and their harmful teachings attempted in infiltrate most of the churches he started and oversaw. The churches of Galatia were among those. And here is what he said to them:
“6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-7 KJV
The word “removed” is a term used when we refer to a military person who has gone AWOL – absent without leave. In other words, to feed on false doctrine and thereby wishing these fake ministers Godspeed, requires you to be a deserter of the true gospel and the truth of God’s Word. Are you a deserter?
Interestingly, the word “another,” in verse six above means, a doctrine or teaching of a different kind. In other words, what these people are teaching you is a perversion of the truth, it isn’t the same kind of doctrine found throughout the Bible, though these people will use a verse here and a verse there to twist their deadly instruction.
Perverting the gospel is mixing something else in with it, something that absolutely does not belong. It’s an abomination! Because when you add to or take away from the Word of God, you are perverting it.
Perverted doctrine will bind, hinder and distress you, and cause you to experience great troubles and difficulties, as verse seven above clearly tells us. However, where false doctrines always bring trouble to people, the truth of God’s Word always brings them peace.
So, support and promote and finance the true gospel and gospel ministers and wish them Godspeed.
