If false teachers are spots, then the false teachings they spread are the wrinkles. Wrinkles occur naturally in two different circumstances:
1) Wrinkles occur in clothing if they have been bunched up and tossed in a corner. They occur naturally in clothing that goes through the dryer coming out wrinkled and needing ironing.
2) Wrinkles can occur on skin along with folds if a person is over-weight. They also occur as a person ages, when the elasticity and firmness of their skin fades and sinks. The skin develops wrinkles as it folds in on itself in this process.
If we apply these naturally-occurring situations to life for the Bride of Christ, we see a couple areas that can be prone to wrinkles. The first is that of adding to Scripture, and the second is removing things from the Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 4:2 “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
There have always been people throughout history who have added to the Word of God. Christ got after the Pharisees for how they handled the Law. They had added so many of their own rules and regulations that the concept of maintaining the Law for one’s self was deemed darn near impossible to all but the trained clergy.
Mark 7:6-9 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Adding to Scripture as the Pharisees did, would say that we know better than God. We are saying that He gave us the skeleton but left us to flesh it out. This flies in the face of Scripture when it says:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
We see examples of this kind of behaviour within some denominations to this day, as they add to the commands of Scripture to fit with their liturgical ideas. This concept was rampant during the Dark Ages and earned the Medieval time period that title for that very reason.
The Bride of Christ needs to be wary of people who come claiming a new doctrine, a new Gospel, etc. Such “new ideas” become rolls of fat on her body and wrinkles in her robes.
