KingJ
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- Mar 31, 2015
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We live in a world overflowing with information, but not all of it is truth. The Bible warns us not just about sin and temptation, but also about something more subtle and dangerous, false teaching. False doctrine isn’t just a theological issue; it’s a spiritual threat that leads people away from the truth of the Gospel.
1. The Bible Warns Us About False Teachers
Matthew 7:15 (ESV) – "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
Jesus Himself warned us that false teachers won’t always appear dangerous. They may sound kind, look holy, and even use Scripture. But their intentions are destructive.
2 Peter 2:1 (ESV) – "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies..."
Peter tells us this isn’t a possibility, it’s a certainty. False teaching will enter the Church. The question is: will we recognize it?
2. False Teaching Leads to Destruction
Galatians 1:6–9 (ESV) – "If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."
Paul doesn’t mince words. False doctrine isn’t a minor issue, it’s damning. Why? Because the Gospel is not ours to edit. When someone changes the Gospel, they’re changing the only message that leads to salvation.
2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV) – "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching... and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
People often don’t reject religion, they just choose a more comfortable version. But comfort doesn’t save us; truth does.
3. How to Identify False Teaching
False teaching isn’t always obvious. So how do we spot it?
A. It distorts the Gospel. Anything that adds to or takes away from salvation through Christ alone is false (Ephesians 2:8–9).
B. It appeals to the flesh. False teaching often tells people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).
C. It contradicts Scripture. The Bible must be our final authority. If a teaching contradicts God’s Word, it is not from God (Isaiah 8:20).
4. Our Response to False Teaching
A. Know the Word.
Acts 17:11 (ESV) – "They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
The Bereans didn’t just believe what they heard, they tested it against Scripture. We must do the same.
B. Hold Fast to Sound Doctrine
Titus 1:9 (ESV) – "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Sound doctrine protects the Church. It builds strong believers and guards against deception.
C. Speak the Truth in Love
Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) – "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
We must confront falsehood, but not with arrogance or hate. Truth must be spoken, but always with grace and love.
Conclusion: Stay Rooted in Truth
False teaching isn’t just 'out there', it can creep in here. It can look like a best-selling book, a viral sermon, or a charismatic speaker. But if it doesn’t line up with God’s Word, it’s not truth.
Let us be people of the Word. Let us test everything by Scripture. Let us guard our hearts, our homes, and our churches from anything that seeks to twist the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. The Bible Warns Us About False Teachers
Matthew 7:15 (ESV) – "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
Jesus Himself warned us that false teachers won’t always appear dangerous. They may sound kind, look holy, and even use Scripture. But their intentions are destructive.
2 Peter 2:1 (ESV) – "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies..."
Peter tells us this isn’t a possibility, it’s a certainty. False teaching will enter the Church. The question is: will we recognize it?
2. False Teaching Leads to Destruction
Galatians 1:6–9 (ESV) – "If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."
Paul doesn’t mince words. False doctrine isn’t a minor issue, it’s damning. Why? Because the Gospel is not ours to edit. When someone changes the Gospel, they’re changing the only message that leads to salvation.
2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV) – "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching... and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
People often don’t reject religion, they just choose a more comfortable version. But comfort doesn’t save us; truth does.
3. How to Identify False Teaching
False teaching isn’t always obvious. So how do we spot it?
A. It distorts the Gospel. Anything that adds to or takes away from salvation through Christ alone is false (Ephesians 2:8–9).
B. It appeals to the flesh. False teaching often tells people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).
C. It contradicts Scripture. The Bible must be our final authority. If a teaching contradicts God’s Word, it is not from God (Isaiah 8:20).
4. Our Response to False Teaching
A. Know the Word.
Acts 17:11 (ESV) – "They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
The Bereans didn’t just believe what they heard, they tested it against Scripture. We must do the same.
B. Hold Fast to Sound Doctrine
Titus 1:9 (ESV) – "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Sound doctrine protects the Church. It builds strong believers and guards against deception.
C. Speak the Truth in Love
Ephesians 4:15 (ESV) – "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
We must confront falsehood, but not with arrogance or hate. Truth must be spoken, but always with grace and love.
Conclusion: Stay Rooted in Truth
False teaching isn’t just 'out there', it can creep in here. It can look like a best-selling book, a viral sermon, or a charismatic speaker. But if it doesn’t line up with God’s Word, it’s not truth.
Let us be people of the Word. Let us test everything by Scripture. Let us guard our hearts, our homes, and our churches from anything that seeks to twist the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
