False Doctrines
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (Ephesians 4:14)
For every truth, there is a lie that can be said about it an attempt to counter its good. GOD, as a teacher and as a father, teaches humanity what is right and just to do. However, there is also teaching that comes from other places, that turn His people away from Him by adding, taking away, contradicting or nullifying His word. That is false doctrine at its purest form. Where does the concept of false doctrines come from? What are some examples of false doctrine? How do I determine the veracity of doctrine?
To begin, the idea of false doctrine must first be observed by analyzing the definition of doctrine. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it is “a principle of law established through past decisions; something that is taught”. Biblical doctrine is therefore biblical teachings, many of which are laws to live life by, that bring humanity closer to the Creator as all that is written is inspired by His Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). However, false doctrines have been in present in the faith since its earliest days and was a reality that apostles such as Paul and Timothy had to face (1 Timothy 1:18 - 20). The first demonstration of false doctrine comes well before the time of the New Testament, in the Garden of Eden, when Satan used GOD’s words in an improper way to lead Adam and Eve to the fall (Genesis 3:3 - 8).
False doctrine comes from the enemy, who deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9). Him and his agents use many different ways to deceive and lead astray those who want to follow the Lord, including improper usages of GOD’s word and common popular sayings that may change our way to perceive GOD and the world. Any charlatan who tries to make you believe that hell does not exist is espousing false doctrine, as the Bible clearly states that it is a place for eternal damnation if one does not follow the Lord (Matthew 10:28; Revelation 20:15). As well, the belief that Yeshua abolished the law is false doctrine, as it is clearly stated that he came to fulfill the writings of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). To continue, a false teacher can be easily corrected and rebuked if they profess that any way other Jesus can bring one to GOD; He made it clear that He is the truth and the way (John 14:6).
To identify the veracity of false doctrine, one must be truly blessed with a communion and an understanding of the Holy Spirit and of Holy Scriptures. It is through the knowledge of these things and revelations that one is able to discern what is true teaching and what has been sent by the enemy. The Bible gives clear indications as to what the servants of Satan would be like in the end days: they would appear as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:15), but their fruits will be rotten (Matthew 7:16) with pride, greed and rebellion (Jude 1:11) as they engage and promote sexual immorality and eat the foods sacrificed to idols (2 Peter 2:14, Revelation 2:20). Any servant of the Lord that is frequented should be carefully vetted before one decides to attend their service on a full-time basis (1 John 4:1 - 6); any word that they speak should be a reflection of what GOD put in His word (Matthew 16:11 - 12).
In conclusion, false doctrine holds as a simple conclusion spiritual death, as it is through those teachings that sin becomes allowed: the price of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Watch for wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15 - 20) and question all that you hear, so that you may always be sure of the way that you take is that of the Lord. In these times, it’ll be harder to see what is true and what is false due to how loud and powerful some of the false teachers seem to have become, but fear not, for Yeshua has overcome the world (John 16:33).