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Psalm 17:5 – Slippery Slopes
Hills and mountains do not have only one side. While that is obvious, good-hearted believers tend to forget the obvious when warning about “slippery slopes.”
In the arena of spiritual matters, a slippery slope argument is the fear an action will lead to a chain reaction resulting in an undesirable and unscriptural end or ends. I appreciate the cautionary approach based upon historical observations, but let me make 4 biblical observations:
1. The slippery slope argument is not a biblical argument. Never, that I am aware of, are we warned to not do something scriptural because it might cause us to start slipping.
2. The only biblical paradigm I am aware of for not slipping into unauthorized “whatevers” is teaching. Continual teaching, even on basics, is important (2 Peter 3:1-2). Teaching how far we can and cannot go is essential.
3. The slope most worry about is sliding into forms of “liberalism”. The fear is real because Christians have seen others slip down the slope because teaching stopped but practices continued changing. However, and again, the fear of what something might lead to is not how the Bible warns. Teaching is!
4. The slope most forget is sliding into traditionalism (Matthew 15; 23). This is what the Pharisees did by building a hedge around the law to keep people from slipping into disobedience. That’s why so many were offended by Jesus healing on the Sabbath (John 7). Consequently they were condemned by Jesus for so doing and He challenged them to judge righteously (John 7:24). This takes knowing truth by deeply studying.
Thinking we cannot slip is a Devilish trap. Thinking there is only one slope is being trapped by Satan’s scheme. The Bible repeatedly warns not to add or take away and to not turn to the left or the right – slopes go down the left and the right. I’ve seen falling on both sides. The only Biblical – and hence safe – way to stay steadfast is teaching the right way – and it doesn’t have any slopes.
Psalms 17:5: “My steps are on your paths; my feet have not slipped.” (CSB)
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