Thoughts on False Doctrine

Understand all things through the Word. Doubt yourself, trust the Word.

A rule we can know about the course of false doctrine comes from the book of II Timothy:

For the time will come when men 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.

Observation: The course of false doctrine will be in line with the sinful desires of men.

Observation: Men will actively seek out teachers who speak what they secretly long to hear.

This is true now. This is true of me. When thinking of false doctrine and the susceptibility of the human heart towards it, we tend to think of others, as if we were completely level-headed and able to in all things discern truth without any selfish desires entering in.

Know that this itself is dangerous! Apply the Word to yourself! I am in danger of gathering around myself teachers who tell me what I want to hear! My heart longs to be free to pursue what is sinful! And so does yours.

So, what are some common courses that we should expect false doctrine to take?

1. Teachers who give men license to sin.

Here is probably the dominant course of false doctrine. The fallen human heart loves sin. Teachings which remove the guilt we feel at our sin while still allowing us the freedom to sin will always be popular.

There are many, many degrees of this, whether it be teachers that simply wink at certain areas, teachers that actively condone certain sins, teachers that lessen the severity of sins, teachers that deny the concept of sin in general, teachers that remove the consequences for sin, etc.

2. Teachers who give men a law or method with which to establish their righteousness.

This also can be subtle. This often works hand-in-hand with number one...since holiness is too difficult, men will be provided with an alternate path, one that soothes their consciences while providing them freedom.

3. Teachers who allow men to be at peace with the world.

The values of the world, in particular. This includes, teachers who allow men to gather possessions and riches. Teachers who advocate storing up treasures on earth. Teachers who place a primacy on this life. Teachers who say that the teachings of Jesus are "attractive" to natural man. Teachers who try to make Jesus's teachings "attractive" to natural man. Teachers who teach men to value the opinions of the world.

I know I am treading on some thin ice here.

4. Teachers who remove the necessity of evangelism.

I say this one because I observe it constantly. And because it is one I myself have often tried to rationalize and accept. I think it is also the one that is currently most attractive to serious minded young Christians. But it is false. Those outside of Christ will perish for eternity! The preaching of the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit is the path laid out by God for entrance into the kingdom. No either priority towards men has any comparative weight.