CONSEQUENCES OF FALSE TEACHINGS (Titus 7)
READ: Titus 1:10-16
In the last blog we talked about some of the counterfeit teachings present today. They can seem very close to the truth but they have error in them that is dangerous and spiritually unhealthy. They can bring many terrible consequences. God’s truth comes from God Himself as revealed in His Word. Anything not fully supported by God’s Word is from man and not God. The Christian’s responsibility is clear: We are to learn God’s truth by searching God’s Word. We must carefully evaluate every teaching according to God’s unfailing standard. What passes the test is sound doctrine, and what fails the test is false teaching.
False doctrine mixes error with truth but true teaching shows error from truth. It takes time studying and learning God’s Word to discern true from false (Hebrews 5:12-14). We must know God’s truth and then hold to it and it alone. When we allow error in, even a little, the door is open for more to follow.
False doctrine keeps us from growing in holiness while true teaching leads to godliness. That which is false prevents righteousness because it focuses on what is new and different, not what is true and godly (1 Timothy 1:3-6).
False doctrine will lead to sin but Bible truth will prevent it. False doctrine allows sin to take root in our hearts and minds and work its way out in our lives. Sound doctrine confronts our sinfulness and motivates us to repent (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The doctrine contained in Scripture teaches and reproves, it corrects and trains, purges sin and motivates to righteousness.
False doctrine draws attention to leaders who teach error, while sound Bible teaching shows who is a true man of God. Church leaders must be men who know and teach truth while being able to refute what is false (Titus 1:9). If a person isn’t teaching all the truth and only the truth, he can’t be a pastor or leader.
False doctrine opens the door to more error but true teaching protects against falsehood. That which isn’t fully God’s truth weakens a church, divides people and allows openings for more false teaching to spread. That is what had happened in the church in Crete (Titus 1:9-10, 16).
False doctrine removes God’s blessing but sound teaching brings more blessing. Revelation promises this (1:3; 22:7). There are strong warnings for those who fail to hold to God’s truth (Revelation 2:14-16, 20-23). God blesses those who honor His word and curses those who misuse it.
False doctrine weakens the church while true teaching equips the church for times of difficulty. Learning God’s Word is essential (2 Timothy 4:2), for a time is coming when churches will turn from the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Paul told Timothy to “guard the deposit” that had been entrusted to him (1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:14). But it was not enough for Timothy to guard it personally. He was called by God to raise up the next generation of leaders who would hold to it and, in turn, entrust it to the generation after them (2 Timothy 2:2).
To summarize, false teaching is dangerous because it mixes error in with truth, keeps us from growing in holiness, leads to sin, draws attention to false teachers, opens the door to more error, removes God’s blessing and weakens Christians and the church. On the other hand, true teaching shows error from truth, leads to godliness, prevents sin, shows who are true men of God, protects against falsehood, brings God’s blessing and equips the church for times of difficulty.
False teaching is nothing to take lightly or ignore. It is a dangerous trick of Satan to deceive and destroy. It must be confronted and stopped as soon as possible. (September 25, 2023 Doylestown, PA)
PAUL’S ADVICE: Keep alert for any false teaching and immediately remove it.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 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 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Are you able to discern false teaching from true? Who can you go to for help and advice?
When is it hardest for you to confront someone teaching something that is false?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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