False Doctrine

Recently, I have noticed many different doctrinal beliefs held by people of various "Christian" sects and different churches in the community. "Christian" sects that I'm referring to include Jehova's Witnesses, Universalism and Mormonism. There are also many various interpretations of the Bible among church leaders and faithful members of protestant and evangelical churches, which is both disappointing and concerning. It is especially concerning when a discipleship program, which consists of members of the congregation being discipled, mentored and counseled from church staff and ministry leaders, is incorporated into the structure of the church. Another scenario may be that false teachings are being presented from the pulpit on Sunday morning. Sometimes it seems as if pastors of these churches are surging a charge against the church body who do not agree with their liberal or false theology. I cannot help but wonder and be concerned with how many people are coming into the church and being taught and discipled to follow doctrine that is inaccurate and false. From what I'm seeing within my small circle of friends, family and acquaintances, it's a big problem that exists in the church today.

This issue is not new. From the ancient days of the Old Testament, false prophets have existed and the writers of the New Testament addressed the problem with false teachers in the early church. The Bible is clear that the church is Christ's bride and that God desires that His church be united. False teachers and believers of false doctrine are often filled with anger and bitterness towards Christians who believe and obey all of God's word. These feelings give them a divisive spirit which causes division within the church, where God calls His people to be one in heart and mind (Acts 4:32). Though the Apostle John was referring to those who don't acknowledge Jesus, I believe this passage applies also to any false teacher or believer of false doctrine: 

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1

A wise friend of mine once said that a divisive spirit does not come from God. Since then, I know it to be true and have said it to people who bitterly throw out angry and sometimes hateful accusations towards Christians who do not agree with them and their beliefs about God. Many of these people claim to love everyone despite their "sin", but it is abundantly clear that they do not love the Christian who opposes their beliefs about God and their worldview. 

Below is a non-exhaustive list of false doctrines and beliefs I've compiled from various "Christians" I have encountered in recent times from Jehova's Witnesses, Universalists, and within protestant and evangelical churches:

• homosexuality is not sin
• repentance of sin is not required for a professing Christian 
• the Old Testament and the Mosaic Law are irrelevant to Christians today
• the Bible is not the inerrant Word of God
• hell does not exist
• everyone goes to heaven - belief in Jesus is not required
• belief in and obedience to Christ are works based, therefore are not required because we are saved by grace, not by works
• the instructions to Christians given in the Epistles and the Pastoral Letters in the Bible are merely advice or suggestions of how a Christian should live
• Jesus' teachings in the Gospels are too high to achieve, therefore don't even attempt it
• If Jesus never specifically mentioned or addressed an issue, it is of no concern, even when it is addressed in other places of the Bible 
• Jesus' teachings are under the Old Testament, therefore are irrelevant
• "Love for others" means that we support, encourage and condone their sinful lifestyle
• We are hateful bigots if we lovingly and gently reveal sin in a person's life, and try to turn them away from it
• Abortion or the taking of a human life is not sin
• Jesus is not God, but is the archangel Michael.
• God created the earth and everything in it through evolution, over a period of several billion years
• Christians are not to be involved in the affairs of the government
• As Americans, we care for and provide for our own countrymen first and foremost
• As Americans, we do not love and care for people of other nations or ethnicities, especially those nations whom America has been at odds with
• Prayer for our local, state and federal officials is atrocious if we do not agree with their political beliefs or values
• Jesus does not require his followers to love their enemies, pray for their persecutors and forgive those who sin against them, even though Jesus instructs them to do so.
• a follower of Jesus is not required to live in obedience to the Bible's teachings, instructions or commands
• the Trinity of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - does not exist
• God's primary blessings for His people are health and wealth
• because of God's grace, Christians can live however they please - they are not held to account for their behavior, nor are they required to repent of sin in their lives
• the life of a Christian living under God's blessing is marked by peace, comfort and happiness rather than suffering and persecution
• Israel is no longer God's chosen people because the death and resurrection of Jesus did away with exclusivity and created equality of all people in God's sight    

I struggle to know for sure whether or not these doctrinal differences really make a difference when it comes to building God's kingdom, making disciples and sharing the Gospel to a lost world because the apostle Paul said this in Philippians 1:15-18:

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice," 

While on the other hand, Paul has this word of instruction for the young pastor Timothy whom he is discipling:

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 
- 2 Timothy 4:1-5

And then there is the fact that the apostles John, Peter and Jude also wrote about false teachers and false doctrine infiltrating the church and their warnings to those who are teaching false doctrines:

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. 
- Peter 2:1-3

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer - 1 Timothy 1:3

Although it's possible that God might use false teachers to draw others to Himself, it is clear that God's judgement against those who teach false doctrine is severe. Remain in close relationship with God through His word and in prayer, having faith and living in obedience to Him, so that the Holy Spirit will guide you and you will not fall away and follow false doctrine that is prevalent in today's churches.