HOW TO DEAL WITH FALSE TEACHING
SUMMARY OF STUDIES
Introduction
Study 1: Know the Bible’s perspective on human ideologies
The Bible defines substitute religions and human ideologies as false
The Bible affirms that Christ alone is the one true truth
Study 2: Know the fundamental difference between the true truth and false teaching
The true truth is complete and absolute
False teaching replaces, adds to, or alters the meaning of ‘the truth’
Study 3: Know what the Old Testament says about false teaching
The Genesis 3 deception – analysis of the Devil’s deception
Idolatry and false gods – what the Old Testament says about them
Occult powers and practices
False prophets and false messages – what the Old Testament says:
- About the nature of false prophets
- About the source of their messages
- About the nature of their messages
- About the impact of their messages
- Warnings to false prophets and their audiences
Superficial and syncretistic worship
Study 4: Recognize the nature of false teachers and false teaching
New Testament data about the nature of false teachers and false teaching is collated under the following headings:
In the Gospels and Acts
- They are hypocritical
- They are destructive
- They do not belong to Christ
- They are impactive
- They are subtle and deceptive
In the letters and Revelation
- About their minds
- About their morals
- About their methods
- About their motives
- About their message
- About their allegiance
Study 5: Understand the present and future impact of false teaching
New Testament data about the impact of false teaching is identified under the following headings:
- Its impact on individuals and the church
- The personal impact and implications of believing false teaching
- The final impact on the false teachers themselves:
Study 6: Obey the biblical commands about false teaching
New Testament commands regarding our response to false teaching are listed under the following headings:
- Expect false teaching
- Be on guard against false teaching
- Don’t let them deceive you
- Don’t believe them
- Don’t give in to them
- Keep away from them
- Oppose and expose them
- Be mature
- Be contented with Jesus Christ
Study 7: Understand the importance of our minds
The Old Testament teaches the importance of our minds
- Wisdom and understanding are the basis of true faith and godliness
- Lack of understanding and discernment leads to godlessness, rebellion, idolatry and the consequent judgment
- One key purpose/result of God’s judgment on Israel was that they would know that he was the Lord
- The new covenant in Christ is anticipated as a time when people will know the Lord
The New Testament teaches the importance of our minds
- The New Testament words
- The significance given to understanding by Jesus Christ
- What the apostles said about knowledge and understanding
Human versus God-given wisdom
Study 8: Know the key points of doctrine affected by false teaching
The New Testament identifies the following key areas of doctrine affected by false teaching in the first century:
- Errors concerning the nature of revelation
- Errors concerning the person of Christ
- Errors concerning salvation
- Errors concerning the role of the miraculous
- Errors concerning the last things
Study 9: Recognize false teaching today
Contemporary false teaching is listed under the following headings:
- Errors concerning the nature of revelation
- Errors concerning the person of Christ
- Errors concerning salvation
- Errors concerning the role of the miraculous
- Errors concerning the last things