Treasures New and Old

Treasures New and Old

God’s Pattern for His Disciples: Beware of False Doctrine

We are taking a deeper look at that discipleship lifestyle than we did in 2020 by looking at what I call God’s pattern for His disciples.

So far in this series we have looked at the following:

  1. What Being a Disciple of Christ Means
  2. Guarding our Hearts
  3. Making our Calling and Election Sure
  4. Being of One Mind with Christ and One Another
  5. Making No Provision for the Flesh but Also Replacing Those Sinful Behaviors with Godly Behaviors
  6. Disciple’s Control of Their Tongue
  7. Holding Fast to our Head, Jesus Christ
  8. Our Kinsman-Redeemer

This month, I would like to have us give attention to understanding and being cautious of accepting every teaching that comes along, especially those that purport to be new revelations. But not all false doctrines claim to be new revelations. Often it is some worldly wisdom that is trying to corrupt the truth of God’s Word and, thus, infiltrate the hearts and minds of the disciple, which, in turn, does mainly two things: (1) pollutes our thinking about God and (2) dilutes our influences and authority of the Word.

First, we will look at seven principles that should help us to better understand and watch out for false doctrines. These false doctrines come blowing through the church (winds of doctrine) designed by Satan to entrap us into false beliefs that either spiritually bind our effectiveness or actually lead us into sin. Ephesians 4:14: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

We will close this article with mentioning a few “winds of doctrine” that have, unfortunately, made their way into the church and have been embraced by various congregations and denominations.

Beware of False Doctrines

Let’s start by looking at these seven principles I have collected and drawn from Scripture that provide some parameters to use when we are faced with something that is trying to provide either a new revelation, a new interpretation, or a new application of Scripture, but, frankly, just doesn’t past the spiritual sniff test.

These seven principles are:

1. We Live in Perilous Times

  • Remember that we live in perilous times – that goes for spiritually perilous as well. Deceivers are everywhere and attempting to shipwreck your faith (or at the least, send you way off course).

2 Timothy 3:1-7:

This know also, that in that last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blaspemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led way with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2. The Laodicean Attitude – “Rule of the People”

  • Because these are the last days, there is a general “Laodicean attitude” prevailing in the church today. The term “Laodicean” is a compound Greek word composed of laos meaning people (Strong’s G2992), and “dike” meaning justice, judgment, rights (Strong’s G1349). Together, the Laodicean church name literally means, “rule of the people”. This prevalent attitude has diminished the authority of Scripture and has caused the church in general to question everything the Bible clearly teaches. That, in turn, opens the door wide for deception and false doctrines.

Revelation 2:18-29:

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

3. The Spirit of Fear Permeates the Land Today

  • The spirit of fear (dread, timidity) is everywhere today. Disciples have not been given the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). The Greek words for those three gifts are: dunamis (force, power (Strong’s G1411)); agape (God’s level of love (Strong’s G26)); and sophronismos (self-control, discipline (Strong’s G4995)).

Romans 8:15-16 (bold added): “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

2 Timothy 1:6-8 (bold added): “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;”

4. False Science Wars with True Commitment

  • False science attempts to overrule the Bible. When we accept secular scientists naysaying things that are provided to us in the Bible, they are trying to commandeer the authority of the Bible and, thus, attempt to weaken our faith. Math is an exacting science (with the possible exception of the stuff they teach today), physics, chemistry, and some of the other disciplines are also exact sciences. But psychology, cosmology, philosophy, and evolution are called “soft” science because so much of it is based on suppositions that can’t be proved, therefore, are actually theories, but taught as hard facts.

1 Timothy 6:19-21 (bold added): “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called; Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”

5. Every Wind of Doctrine Blows in the Church from outside the Church (the World)

  • Winds of doctrine that literally blow through the church and then disappear leaving in their wake disillusioned believers, damaged spirits, division among the saints, and other consequences. More in this later.

Ephesians 4:11-15 (bold added):

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulling of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait in deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

  • The Bible is a collection of men’s thinking
  • Bible criticism – rejecting what we don’t like
  • Prosperity teaching
  • Hyper grace – law totally rejected
  • Replacement theology
  • Man will be a god
  • No Hell – annihilation instead
  • Universal reconciliation: brotherhood of mankind
  • Jesus only and Jehovah only (rejects the Trinity)
  • Evolution vs. creation arguments
  • Church needs to be run as a business
  • Use the world’s ways/music to attract the youth
  • I’m OK – You’re OK mentality
  • Denomination unity – stop teaching what we don’t agree on (ecumenical movement)
  • Erosion of marriage
  • Embracing different trends (feminism, transgender, homosexuality)
  • Critical theory and critical race theory

6. Double-Mindedness vs. Focus on God

  • Double-mindedness is also a potential entrance gate for false doctrine. We could, unfortunately, be double-minded between the Lord and the world. (One trap I often hear is “I am logically and scientifically minded and only accept the Bible for its moral teachings and don’t pay attention to all those mythical stories”.) How dangerous double-mindedness can be to the disciple. It causes us to second guess what or Rabbi, the Lord Jesus Christ, says to us. Review articles for “Being of One Mind” and “Hold Fast to the Truth” for additional explanations.

Matthew 6:22-24:The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

James 1:8: “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

1 John 2:15-17: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”

7. Focus and Stability on God and His Word

  • Say our focus is drawn away from God’s Word. When this happens, we are naturally drawn into the world’s wisdom, and then we experience instability in what we believe. Distractions, world events, disasters, pandemics, wars, economy, and all sorts of social pressures exist that have a way of sneaking into our thinking and drawing our focus from Scripture into other sources that seem authoritative and can cause us to question scriptural teachings. Then we are ripe to believe anything and that, of course, includes false doctrines.

2 Peter 1:19-21: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

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: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Revelation 22:17-19: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 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: 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.”

Deuteronomy 4:1-2: “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”

Some Winds of Doctrine That We Need to Avoid

  • Worship of Mary and the saints (false god(s)).
  • Re-sacrifice of Jesus during the mass (Bible teaches that He died once for all and to sacrifice Him again is an anathema).
  • Divine authority of the Pope (divine authority only rests with Christ Himself).
  • Homosexuality is acceptable (totally forbidden by God as is any sexual sin).
  • Premarital sex is OK (another lie of the Devil to try and pollute the marriage institution).
  • God is non-binary (or is feminine and masculine, etc. The Bible clearly teaches that God is our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
  • Jesus and Mary Magdeline had children (attempt to pollute the deity of Christ as well as justify a lot of sin).
  • Don’t discipline your children – negotiate (relativism that leaves no firm boundaries from which to grow our kids. Leads to confusion and rejection of authority structures.).
  • Black Lives Matter (really, all lives matter – we all are of one race).
  • Transgenderism and the lies about “identity science” (Sorry, our DNA can’t be changed. We are either male or female; characteristics may vary, but our DNA does not.).
  • Follow your heart (versus following scriptural principles).
  • Godly living brings prosperity (prosperity gospel: no such guarantee in the Bible, causes us to reject God when it fails).
  • Right choices will get you the perfect life (Job might really disagree with this lie. We live in a fallen world and there is no guarantee of a perfect life in the Scriptures.).
  • If you try harder, you can be right with God (works salvation teaching).
  • I deserve better (really, we all deserve eternal punishment, but God’s grace provides salvation to those who believe).
  • I need ME time (to the exclusion of others, serving others and fellowshipping with other believers. There is safety in a multitude of counselors.).
  • Allah and Issi and other “god” names are all different names for one god we call Jesus (Not true, they are names of other gods wishing to be like the Most High. Otherwise, why are Muslims so opposed to Jews and Christians if we worship the same god?).
  • Jesus was created (First begotten means preeminent, not first to be born. Consider, if Jesus was first born, what of all the people born after Adam and before Jesus was born in the manger?).
  • Legalism – must keep the law (Jesus kept the law for us, but we do strive to walk in the light as He is in the light by His power, not our own).
  • I’m no longer a sinner, I no longer sin (False. We are sinners, but saved by grace. Why else do we struggle and are told to work out our own salvation and so many other teachings regarding the Christian’s daily walk?).
  • Universalism: we are all brothers and sisters of god and we will all be saved – God is a loving God and won’t send anyone to Hell (false, only those in Christ are saved and all others are under the wrath of God).
  • Salvation by keeping the sacraments (this is works salvation and we know that works cannot save us. It is by faith alone in Jesus Christ – and not faith in the sacraments.).
  • Jesus is a lesser god, Jesus is not god, Jesus and Satan (Lucifer) are brothers, and other such teachings (An attempt to eliminate the Deity of Christ and, thus, we can’t and shouldn’t worship Him. The Bible is clear, He is God and is to be worshipped. If He was not God, then is not divine, then a sinner like us, then unable to save us.).
  • Critical race theory (CRT) – that all whites are oppressors and all others to different degrees are oppressed (born out of Marxism. This lie pits people groups against each other base on false assumptions and teachings).
  • I bet you can think of a few others . . .

Think about Who Our Rabbi is, Disciples . . .

Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior for the church. We are the church – His living body, His bride, His people. As disciples, we need to realize that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He rules and reigns, and by Him all things were created, and by Him all things consist. All authority has been given to Him, and He holds the keys. He is our beloved Savior; but to the lost, He is a fearful judge.

I could list hundreds of Scripture passages that describe Him and His authority and power. I have chosen this one from Isaiah that kind of sums up what He does for us (and to the wicked). This is believed to be a millennial reign prophecy, but it reflects what He does for us even now. He is also “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, and the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6, slightly rearranged).

Therefore, beloved, we have such a High Priest to stand before the Father on our behalf. As we turn to Him for all things, He can guide us through His Holy Spirit to avoid those false doctrines that are constantly popping up and trying to spoil the church.

Isaiah 11:1-5:

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

Elkmont Baptist Church