AVOIDANCES
REDEFINING GOD: The dangers of false biblical teaching…
Recall when someone decided to characterize you in a way that is contrary to who you are — different than who you say and know how you are, and what you purposefully project. Would you want to hang out with that person? Of course not. God is no different. While God loves all of His children, he does not hold back his judgment on those mischaracterize Him from His Word. When we reject His Word and redefine His character and purposes, His Spirit will not be with those people. Rather, the Bible says “false spirits” will deceive many. But the way to God is a narrow path. We are each personally responsible for seeking the real God through His Word. As Jesus puts it…
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
We live in an age no different from the past: teachers sell their own culturally appealing versions of God, conflicting with His Word. It is a dangerous trap where our spiritual guidance on earth and ultimately our eternity are both concerned. When His Truth and His Spirit are absent from any given community, — small or large — the void usually triggers that community to create their own rules to simulate righteousness. Jesus spoke strongly against this during his three year ministry on earth.
AVOIDING FALSE TEACHINGS:
How does the United States Secret Service train personnel to detect counterfeit money? By spending a majority of their training time on the characteristics of real money. This is our first line of defense in knowing the right God. Trusting His Word, in totality, to know the real God. It is in His Word, where He goes into great detail century after century describing Himself, His character, and that narrow path to Him. His Word — that is the Bible — is foundational to knowing Him intimately. By knowing His Word, we can readily spot the fake when the fake appears. Hold each teaching up to the Light of God’s Word!
A false biblical ministry does not wave a red flag, to advertise it as such. There are many false teachers using scripture verses to peddle their claims. But false so-called “biblical” ministries use some slight-of-hand interpretations / omissions when teaching the Bible. Popular among today’s false teachers, is to sprinkle in a little bit of truth with a little bit of lie, to give a wink and nod to the a self-oriented culture. They do this using scriptures out of their context, omission of scriptures, and misinterpreting their original meaning altogether. And due to our weaknesses, this presentation can be a very intoxicating.
Jesus: “Watch out for false prophets [teachers]. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:15-20
THE REPEATING PATTERN
As enticing as false teachers are, we are often caught off guard with their allure. Most of these teachers utilize our deep rooted inclinations, of which are actually driving ALL of our sin nature — that which causes human nature to be sinful. These teachers present three very common characteristics, which may be overt or subtle:
- A false biblical teacher may humanize God in ways contrary to how He revealed Himself in His Word.
- A false biblical teacher may elevate humans (to the operational equivalency of “little gods”) — despite what His scriptures tell us of our nature.
- A false biblical teacher may create their own version of righteousness apart from God’s master plan — outlined consistently from Genesis to Revelation.
And each of these three red flags are not only evident in Genesis 3 at the fall of humankind, … the above dynamics are at the root of every compulsion we have to sin. See if you can spot all three below:
Genesis 3:1-7
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
THE CONSEQUENCES:
God gave Adam and Eve just one avoidance instruction: Not to eat of The Tree Knowledge of Good and Evil. In Genesis 3 above, Satan first questions what he already knows of God’s ultimate authority, by using the disbelieving phrase questioning his authority, “Did God really say…”. This is his attempt to humanize God to Eve. “Satan’s teaching: if we eat the fruit, connotes that we will be like God, — or as a “little god”.
Accompanying the elevation of man to little god status also involves an unbiblical act of so-called goodness — a created version of righteousness apart from God’s. The manmade act was eating the fruit. Besides self-elevation, such acts may also be used to gain acceptance from the leader(s). And / or… In some settings, manufactured acts of faith against God’s Word also build false promises of “powerful” faith, as also in Genesis 3, reinforcing the little god desire.
Man-made so-called acts of faith are at the heart of religion. Religion is often confused with God and His Word. Even a self-proclaimed atheist has acts which attempt to validate his/her religion. Whether a person’s religion is an attempt to work their way to God; to government; to a mortal being; an alternative spiritual being; to the self; or any group, or ideology: God repeatedly brought judgement onto people, who redefine Him and/or His instructions. It is important to remember the above three characteristics of false teachings, along with their man-made acts. These ancient identifiers haven’t changed throughout time, and are a rapidly growing phenomenon throughout the world of false-faith today.
Below is one example of many: a line by line comparison between the consistent testimony on Jesus written of in the Bible, (“Biblical Jesus”) and the Jesus reimagined by many trendy false teachers in our current culture (“Postmodern Jesus”). The column on the right shows a generalization of what some so-called Christian church teachers today, attempt to steer unwitting follower toward. That is, steering them into the conflicted world-view of Postmodernism.
Since the fall of Adam and Eve to the Revelation of Christ’ return: “going our own way” will be a susceptible human pattern, that false teachers tap into to gain followers. But Jesus Christ is the only One, who provided the way for us to be reconciled to God the Father. God’s way of salvation was to provide us with His only Son Jesus. The loving work Jesus endured on the cross is perfect. No one can improve upon Jesus work. It is the realization of this gift that compels us — by realizing the depths of his mercy on our sin — to love Him and surrender to Him — every aspect of our lives. This is God’s way. Notice the perfected relational path he set up for our salvation. It is all about Him. It is all through Him. And, not through religious practices.
Jesus: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23
While the Biblical/Postmodern chart above shows how Jesus’ identity is redefined by culture, the below comparison contrasts how to be with God. Note the contrast of Religion reaching up to God, versus Relationship receiving Christ’ free gift of taking away our sin, so we are suitable to be with the infinitely pure and holy God. Polar opposites, but very real dynamics in the battle for the human soul:
THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT
The Holy Spirit comes into our lives when we invite Jesus in to save and forgive us. And one special gift the Holy Spirit gives us is discernment. Discernment is: understanding which spirit is truly representing God and His Word. This puts a check on our easily swayed feelings, while favoring knowledge of Him through studying scriptures. Scriptures, along with a dynamic following of His Spirit in us… all work together to grow His discernment within us. An example of this is in King David in Psalms. He exemplified orderly perspective over feelings, knowing that the Living God’s is walking with us. Even when we don’t “feel” Him, or experience His intervention in the moment, ultimately God is on the throne. He keeps His promises to those who genuinely follow Him, and follow His instructions.
The bottom line: Thirst for Christ. He is the Word made flesh. (John 1:1-5 and vs. 14) We can know Him without doubt only through His Word. The Bible warns multiple times — beyond quotes sited on this page — that false teachers would increase as time draws closer to the end. Each of us has likely known someone impacted by a false biblical sect or group(s), whom exploit people for their own benefit, and not God’s. To learn why so many false teachers have popped up, here is a link to an article explaining: “Why Do So Many Christians Not Have A Consistently Biblical Worldview?”
POPULAR TEACHINGS TO AVOID:
- Word of Faith based (promoting the “Health and Wealth”gospel)
- Rhema Bible College graduates and affiliates
- Third Wave / Signs and Wonders Churches
- New Apostolic Reformation
- Shepherding/Discipleship Movement
- Kingdom (Kingdom Now) Theology
- Emergent Church
- Progressive Christianity: [Progressive Christianity can be identified by their specific questioning/denial of six attributes of Jesus: His divinity; His virgin birth; His miracles performed; His atonement; His resurrection; His second coming. Many Progressive Christians embrace Postmodernism.]
- Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Unitarian Church / Unitarianism
- New Age Christianity
- Christian Scientists
… among other groups.
Always compare a group of interest’s Statement of Faith / What We Believe page, with the examples given in the “Finding A Community of Believers” post. And, if one such statement of faith can’t be found… there’s probably a reason why.
All subject links in the Wellspring Posts are here:
