Then Evangelist continued to speak, saying, “Give more earnest attention to the things that I shall tell you about. I will now show you who it was that deluded you, and also to whom it was he sent you. The man that met you is none other than Mr. Worldly-Wiseman, and how right it is for him to have this name. The reason is partly because he favors only the doctrine of this world (1), therefore he always attends church in the Town of Morality, and partly because he loves the doctrine of that Town the best, for it saves him from the Cross (2) So because he is of a carnal nature, therefore he seeks to oppose my ways, even though they are right.

Now there are three things in this man’s counsel that you must utterly detest (3). 1. His ability to lead you out of the way. 2. His zealous effort to portray the Cross as abhorrent to you. 3. And his directing of your feet toward that way which leads to the administration of death. (4)

First, you must despise his ability to turn you out of the way; yes, and your own agreement to such a proposal as well: because this is to reject the counsel of God for the sake of the counsel of a Worldly-Wiseman. The Lord says, ‘Strive to enter in at the strait [narrow] gate,’ (5) the gate to which I am sending you; ‘for strait is the gate that leads to life, and there are few that find it.’ (6) This wicked man has turned you from the Wicket gate and the way that leads up to it, and almost brought you to destruction. Therefore, hate his ability to turn you out of the way, and loathe yourself for listening to him.

  1. 1 John 4:5
  2. Gal. 6:12
  3. Evangelist reveals the deceit of Mr. Worldly-Wiseman. (Heb. 2:1)
  4. II Cor. 3:7-11
  5. Luke 13:24
  6. Matt. 7:13-14
The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan
  1. What do you think about Evangelist telling Christian that Mr. Worldly-Wiseman attends church and has doctrinal beliefs? Does it surprise you?
  2. Does it make you think of the importance of choosing the ‘Right’ church and the ‘Right’ Doctrine?
  3. Why would Mr. Worldly-Wiseman want to avoid the Cross and teach against it?
  4. Does it bring a reverent fear to your heart that you and I can sometimes be so readily turned away from sound biblical teaching?

“False teachers are not made outside Christianity. They are always bred in the church, half in and half out; but eventually they reject the truth and try to seduce others in their attempt to fulfill their self-gratification.” – John MacArthur

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