Doctrine, false

Teaching that distorts or contradicts the revealed truth of God, causing division and distress in the church by leading people away from the truth.

False doctrine deviates from the truth

It contradicts the gospel of Jesus Christ

Jude 1:3–4 See also 1 Corinthians 3:10–13; 2 Corinthians 11:3–4; Galatians 1:6–7; 1 Timothy 6:3–4; 2 John 1:7

Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed — ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

It may be of human origin

Colossians 2:8 See also Colossians 2:20–23; Matthew 15:8–9 parallel Mark 7:6–7; Isaiah 29:13

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

It may be of demonic origin

1 Timothy 4:1–5 See also 1 John 4:2–3

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

The dangers of false doctrine

It leads to instability and confusion

Ephesians 4:14 See also Acts 15:24; Galatians 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:18–20; 2 Timothy 2:16–18; Titus 1:10–11; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:17

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.

It causes division

Romans 16:17–18 See also 1 Timothy 1:3–4

Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

It leads to severe punishment

Galatians 1:8–9 See also 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:17; Revelation 2:14–16

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!

False doctrine is to be dealt with by the church

Titus 1:10–11 See also 1 Timothy 1:3; Titus 1:13–14

For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.

False doctrine will be common in later times

1 Timothy 4:1 See also Mark 13:5–6 parallel Luke 21:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:3–4

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,