Four Ways False Teaching Seduces Us
I’m a blessed man.
I’ve got a godly, merciful and hard-working wife.
Kind, creative and compassionate children.
A beautiful, supportive band of brothers.
And a pastor who is not afraid to draw the line between true and false teaching.
The Gritty Gift of Preaching
Granted, he’s not always PC. He doesn’t shoot to be all-inclusive.
Yes, he loves people to death. But he loves the gospel even more.
And that quite often divides.
It divides truth from error. Authentic teachers from the false. Genuine doctrine from the fake.
This is tough to take, no doubt. But the gospel aims to shoot the wolves to protect the sheep. A role that’s not easy for a pastor to play.
But one he must.
So, over the last couple of months my pastor has used 1 John as his text–a text close to my heart.
And this past Sunday, while exhorting us to abide in Christ for the sake of spiritual maturity, he paused to clarify the following about false doctrine, namely why it’s pull on us is so potent.
1. False doctrine offers us short cuts. And we like shortcuts. If we can avoid pain or discomfort and get immediate gratification in any measure, bring it on. Authentic doctrine, on the other hand, says we must reject self and walk the narrow–often difficult–path. Think Bunyan’s Wicket Gate.
2. False doctrine appeals to our base nature. Gnosticism gave us liberty to indulge in sexual promiscuity. The abundant life gospel pushes our greed button. Miracle-rich doctrines feed our sensual gene.
On the other hand, the genuine gospel of Jesus Christ–one that says deny yourself and be willing to die for others–repulses our dead, blind, deaf base nature.
3. False doctrine feels so intuitive. Of course I deserve a big house. A big car. The second house. Promotion. Trophy wife. Naturally God would want my limbs restored. My child cured of leukemia. My deliberate, premeditated sins forgiven.
Authentic doctrine, on the other hand, is counter-intuitive. For example, God said, “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.” Not typically what we think when we think of a “loving” God.
4. False doctrine puts us on the throne. After reading the preceding three reasons, is this any surprise? The word “you” looms large in false doctrine. It’s what John Piper described in God Is the Gospel as the gospel that “makes much of us” instead of making much of God. And it’s why some pastors strive to create churches to amuse us rather than instruct, correct, train and discipline.
In the end, if you want true spiritual alignment, don’t lean on false doctrine.
Instead, lean on the true gospel. That means you need to get back to the basics, trust your heart to God, never let your feelings lead and know what you believe.
So, tell me: What other ways does false doctrine seduce us? Am I missing anything? Do you agree? Disagree? Leave your thoughts, brutal and all.
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8 Comments to Four Ways False Teaching Seduces Us
“False doctrine puts us on the throne.”
This is, to me, the number one reason. You are correct in saying it all leads up to “you.” I have noticed people want their own, personal spirituality where they can play by their own rules.
False teaching gives you that. Even worse, it gives you the reasons to rebel against a church or pastor who has wronged you in some way. Why not go polar opposite?
Demian FarnworthOctober 21, 2009
Good insight, Don.
#5: “False doctrine feels good.”
The longer I get in my walk, the more I see that following God doesn’t necessarily “feel good.” It’s not always pleasant. We need to count the cost of following Christ because it’s not always a bed of roses.
So much of the false doctrines preached today focus on health, wealth and prosperity: all “feel good” things.
Believe me: the early church fathers all had some really bad days: beheadings, crucifixions, stonings, etc.
BobOctober 21, 2009
You mean its not all about ME!
Speaking of false doctrine, that time of year is coming around that so many professed Christians join the world in celebrating a lie …Christ-mass.
I am heartbroken over the brethren being seduced by this Roman blasphemy every year.
I cry for our precious Lord Jesus as the world and so many of the saints trod on His name, all because WE think He should have a birthday, whether He wants it or not. It makes US feel good so it must be alright. Christ-mass is not about Christ Jesus, but all about US.
Everyone thinks I’m a scrooge or something else I don’t want to print, but I fear God Almighty. There are so many passages in His Word attesting to keeping his worship pure and holy, and living each day as His day..365 days a year.
And I cringe at the reference to “birthday” as I don’t think its appropriate as it says that Christ had a beginning, which leads to saying He is not God. The world loves that.
@Bob,
So, Halloween is probably “out” as an option too, huh?
@Don,
You funny guy.
Demian FarnworthOctober 23, 2009
Yeah, you can’t take Don anywhere. 
October 26, 2009
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October 21, 2009