No doubt you have heard the misleading statement, “you have your interpretation and we have ours, but we all serve the same God.” This is a clever attempt to ease the mind of those who question all the division they see in the church world. Churches that claim to speak for Christ and honor his doctrine but teach a wide variety of opposing views about what the written word says. And not one of them will give an inch or even entertain the thought that perhaps they have been deceived and need correction. Woe unto a people that won’t allow the word of God to examine their mind and their spirit. A people that cling stubbornly to their own personal beliefs and religious opinions.
The word of God speaks plainly to all who would follow Christ. To all people, everywhere, who call themselves Christians, the scripture says that there should “be no divisions among you” and that we should “be perfectly joined together in the same mind.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) There is strength in unity but stumbling weakness in division.
Jesus said, “take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:4-5) They come in the name of Christ. They say Christ is Lord. They claim to have the spirit of Christ, but they cause division and confusion with their teaching. “Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9) One such distortion is the doctrine of a future rapture for the flesh of those who believe. This doctrine was invented by man, for the lack of understanding what the scripture really teaches. But this is another subject.
What is the outward appearance of a false prophet? They “come to you in sheep’s clothing,” looking the part of a true teacher of God’s word. “But inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) The spirit within has never been converted. The truth of God’s word remains sealed to them, and they replace it with manmade doctrines. The congregations don’t know the difference. The “blind lead the blind.“
But when the comforter, which is “the Spirit of truth,” comes to you, “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) When the dark clouds of worldly teaching are parted and the glorious light of Jesus Christ appears, and his gospel melts your stony heart, then you can say with all the saints that you are truly changed. “Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) From that point forward the lies of Satan and his ministers, (2 Corinthians 11:14) have no power over you.
The comfort of the Holy Ghost is this. “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) Jesus made us a faithful promise. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” How does he come? “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive.” (John 14:17-18)
False prophets and pastors that teach the “commandments of men” have not seen the appearing of Christ and neither do they understand his gospel. Because nothing is revealed to them at the present time, they can only assume that all things are still in the future. The coming of Christ, the “rapture,” the great tribulation, the resurrection, the judgment, all these wonderous revelations remain hid from them. Yet, they press onward with their lies and deception. To avoid being swept away by the flood of false doctrine (Revelation 12:15), you must know the truth; you must be born again.
The great majority of today’s church leaders only see and teach the word of God as far as their earthly understanding allows them. When they come to the spiritual revelations of the mysteries of the word, they see it as a closed door and mistakenly think they have reached the end of understanding. And this is why they put all these things in the future. But if they only knew that when the door is opened, it’s only the beginning of wisdom and understanding. Jesus said, “I am the door.” And it’s a door that can only be opened at his command.
As long as the leaders of opposing denominations insist on believing and teaching a scattered collection of doctrines based on the commandments of men, the door of truth and understanding will remain closed, because this confusion is a stumbling block and very harmful for those who look for understanding. Divisions, in the name of Christ, are in direct conflict with God’s Holy word. God’s prophet said, “And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever.” (Jeremiah 32:39) And the apostle Paul confirmed these words with his own teaching. “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6)
Self-called preachers and misguided congregations refuse to look at the truth of the gospel and let it judge them. And because they are satisfied with the way things are, “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11) God himself will send a spirit to strengthen their belief, so that all “might be damned who believed not the truth.“
Is there a guide for us to follow so that we can identify false doctrine for what it is? The answer is yes, we have a perfect guide; it’s the word of God. But here again, we must exercise caution because the treacherous mind of Satan has perverted the original writings of the scripture with “new translations,” and an endless parade of books and commentaries based solely on opinions of men and women. While there is helpful information in some study books, such as dates and places, and peoples, and customs, one would be hard pressed to find anything that would unlock even one mystery of God’s word. We should always remember, there is a door that is closed to Satan and his ministers, it’s the door of understanding. Jesus Christ alone can reveal the hidden things of spirit.
How does the spirit of Satan use false doctrine? The deceiver, “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4) Churches began a steady descent away from the truth as soon as it was established. But a few who were truly anchored in Christ held firmly to the words of life and passed them on to others, by word of mouth and in written form. And the few that hear and understand God’s word are less with each passing generation, because not many are willing to carry the banner. They fear the wrath of worldly religion, letting modern day “Pharisees” dictate what they should believe. There are a multitude of doctrines, all preached “in the name of Christ.” But remember this, the way to heaven is not a multiple-choice decision. Our Lord, Jesus Christ preached one doctrine, one time, for all the world.
But the carnal nature of man and his deceived spirit have opposed the truth of “one mind, one voice, and one heart, all in one faith” and exalted his own religious empire with divided denominations and with doctrines that do not agree with one another. Jeremiah saw these same people long ago. He wrote, “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jeremiah 5:30-31)
Can you follow false doctrine to heaven? You answer in your own heart, and if you are troubled, let us help.
