FALSE TEACHING THE CHALLENGES OF 21ST CENTURY
Corinthians 11:1-21
False teaching breeds false doctrine. False doctrine is only idea that adds to, takes away from, contradicts, or nullifies the doctrine given in God’s word.
For example, only teaching about Jesus that denies His virgin birth is a false doctrine because it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. Matthew 1:18, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
As early as the first century AD, false doctrine was ready infiltrating the church and many of the letters in the New Testament were written to address those errors Galatians 1:6-9, “6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Colossians 2:20:23, “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,” Titus 1:13, “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;”
Paul exhorted Timothy to guard against those who were peddling heresies and confusing the flocks 1Timothy 6:3-4, “3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”
False teaching is a real threat to the church. False teaching is not a threat only in certain circumstances, or only in churches with certain government structures or only certain places and cultures in the world.
We must recognize it as a threat because the Bible continually warm us that false teachers will come from outside community of believers, trying to hide their true intentions Matthew7:15-20, “15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” 2 Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Galatians 1:6-9, “6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
The Bible testimonies about false teaching should make it clear that we must not be vulnerable to this threat.
CONCLUSION:
If doctrinal aberrations can spring up in churches that were nurtured with the teaching of the Apostles, what make us think we are immune to it in the 21st century?
We cannot afford to be complacent in the 21st century 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
