Christians Need REAL Biblical Discernment

What would you call a “Christian” speaker, conference leader and self-described spiritual authority who:

Engages in Contemplative Spirituality (a mystical practice not found in Scripture which includes elements of eastern mysticism.)?

Claims to have direct revelation from God apart from Scripture?

Is involved with false teachers such as Joel Osteen and Louie Giglio?

Claims to have visions and direct encounters with Jesus?

Claims to have been shown the world through His eyes, and heard God's voice personally? 

Has had “personal revelations” not in the bible that "Jesus" then said to teach from?

Asserts that what is received from God was given as a secret, but 'He knows I'm going to tell it.'

States unequivocally "I am not a sinner"?

Wrote a book, claiming to have received the book directly from God as if a force had taken control of the writing?

Claims to have been with Jesus in another dimension and was taught new things?

Twists scripture and compares personal exposition to credible teachers' work?

Wants you to feel your theology?

On a personal website does not draw firm doctrinal lines while implying the Roman Catholic Church is a Christian denomination alongside the Methodist, Baptist, and other denominations?

Has a penchant for making promises about God's intentions, as if to know at any given moment what God would do in this or that situation?

What would you call such a person in light of 1Timothy 1:3; 1:7; 4:1; 4:7; 4:16 and 6:3?

Would the fact that this person has a very, very large following make it alright for a few false doctrines to slip in?

Would the fact that a person speaks well, uses interesting illustrations, looks sincere and has great enthusiasm make a few false doctrines OK?

Would you call that person a false teacher?

You would not be wrong to call that person Beth Moore.

Further references: 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 5:14.

Using Scripture Out of Context

A God of Feelings
or Jesus the High Priest?

There are those who will use a Scripture out of context because it fits the point or "application" they are trying to make. They treat Scripture as though it is a series of wise sayings (proverbs) to be used in many different ways, according to one's present agenda. Their mantra is "Scripture has one meaning; many applications."

Some people believe that mantra because that's what they have been taught. Others believe it because it makes topical sermon preparation easier. It is, however, a patently false mantra and leads to false doctrine. "False doctrine" is a lie about Scripture's meaning. It implies that the Word of God is about us, instead of about Him.

In Hebrews 4:12, for instance, we read the words: "...Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword." I recently heard that Scripture used to support the idea that God is a Father who cares for our feelings.

God IS a Father who cares for our feelings, but that idea is not addressed by Hebrews 4:12. Such an "application" is wrong and is therefore a heresy. Let me explain why.

First of all, as quoted above, it leaves out the word, "For," with which the verse starts. "For" is a coordinating conjunction. That means what follows is connected to and a part of what went before; a preparation for a treatise on God's New Covenant between Him and those who (Jew or Gentile) will be saved.

Secondly, Hebrews 4:12 is not about our feelings in any way, shape or form. It is connected to and a part of *Paul's preparatory remarks to introduce the Priesthood of Christ. That dissertation is connected to the previous revelation about Jesus being greater than Moses. And THAT one is a continuation of the nature and identity of Jesus.

Thirdly, such an application is about as shallow as an understanding of God's Word can get. It is an attempt to reduce Scripture to a "touchy-feely" level that is sophomoric and without spiritual depth.

The book of Hebrews has absolutely nothing to do with God being a Father who cares for our feelings. It is not even about the power of Scripture to accommodate our life needs. In fact, it is not about US at all. The only correct application of  Hebrews 4:12 is that it is about Jesus and His relationship to God, His High Priesthood and His being the New Covenant between God and those who trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. Contextually, Hebrews 4:12-13 is to be seen as support for *Paul's contention that Scripture accurately portrays God and properly predicts the establishment of that New Covenant in the High Priest, Christ.

The sad thing is, preaching Hebrews 4:12 as though it somehow relates to God's being a Father who cares for our feelings, results in "Amens," and "Preach it brothers" from a congregation ignorant of the majesty of the true meaning of the verse, chapter, book, Testament, Covenant and the Bible, itself. After all, "God being a Father who cares for our feelings" sounds really good and serves as great "ear-tickling."

In fact, Hebrews 4:12 is part of a book that is so exciting that, properly understood, it is heart stopping and goose-bump producing!

What message could possibly be more relevant than the one that tells us God has given us a High Priest, greater than even Melchizedek, who can not only lead us by the heart in the right paths, but who can absolve us of our sin debt? What message could possibly be more exciting than the one that tells us that the un-keepable Law has been kept for us? What message could possibly be more exciting than the won that tells us that our sins have been forgiven by the blood of the New Covenant?

Why would ANY honest, truly saved person twist Scripture to mean what it does not mean in order to apply it to some trite philosophical idea?

Why can't we learn to let the Word of God be the WORD OF GOD...the Word of the revelation of God's character, His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption?

*Contrary to what some theologians teach, I believe Hebrews to be a commentary to the Jews on Paul's book of Romans. Romans was written by Paul to Gentiles, while Hebrews was written by Paul to the Jews. The book of Hebrew's teachings about Jesus parallel the book of Roman's teachings about Him.

How Do We Form Biblical Doctrines?

Suppose you made a list of everything the Bible has to say about prayer, praying and prayed, as well as any and all related topics. You’d then be able to make a pretty accurate statement about the Biblical doctrine of prayer, right?

Wrong.

What you would have is a list, nothing more. You would not have context, meaning or proper application, all of which are essential to forming a Biblical doctrine. You could take your list and twist it one way or the other and draw many different conclusions. That’s what cults, heretics and false teachers do.

The proper way to arrive at a Biblical doctrine of prayer would be to read the Bible as a narrative, taking references to prayer as they come, in the context(s) of the word used, the verse it is in, the chapter it is in, the book it is in, the Covenant in which it is applied and the Bible as a whole.

For those who like “topical” preaching, don’t worry. As you read the Bible narratively, every topic you can possibly imagine will be addressed in context and its proper application will become apparent.

It is trendy and popular to use the phrase, “Let the Bible interpret the Bible.” That would be true if properly applied, but it is usually used to make the teacher’s particular point or the preacher’s particular theosophical agenda. Often the context of one section of scripture does, indeed, support the context of another, but not outside of its context.

You can’t say, “God blesses obedience and curses disobedience” outside of its proper context and application. Under the Old Covenant, that was the case. Under the New Covenant, however, obedience comes from the Word of God being written on our hearts and our disobedience is covered by the blood of Christ.

That does NOT condone disobedience. Paul wrote that we should not sin more so that we could experience more grace. In fact, he said, “God forbid.” Instead, Paul encouraged us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts in such a way that we would not even WANT to stray from God’s will. In a given situation we would know what is right by our focus on how the Holy Spirit is leading.

It is impossible to be focused on Christ and the leadership of His Holy Spirit and to do something outside of God’s will. Behaving outside of God’s will occurs when we lose our focus. When Paul admonished us to pray without ceasing, that is exactly what he was writing about. To pray without ceasing is to keep our minds and desires focused on Christ in every situation.

The doctrine of giving is another doctrine in which context is essential. Under the Old Covenant with the Jews, the Law required a tithe (10%). Under the New Covenant, in Christ, the requirement is 100%. Why would a Christian under grace allow a Jew under the Law to give more than the Christian under grace? That is a disgrace to grace. This is not about Old Testament vs. New Testament, it is about the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

According to Hebrews 8:13, “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one OBSOLETE; and what is OBSOLETE and outdated will soon disappear.”

So, when you formulate a doctrine, be certain that it is really a Biblical doctrine, and not your own private interpretation of Scripture.

Characteristics of Teachers of False Doctrine

Scripture has a great deal to say about false doctrine and those who teach it.

Matthew 7:15 warns: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”

First Timothy deals extensively with teachers of false doctrine. In fact, that’s what the whole book is really about.

Romans 16:27 -  “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”

We often emphasize the “divisions and obstacles” in this passage, but we tend to ignore the “contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught” part.

There are references to false teachers in 1 John, 2 John, Titus, the Revelation and many other places.

What are some characteristics of teachers of false doctrines and how do you recognize them.

Teachers of false doctrines typically promise what they cannot deliver. Their promises are often based on some imagined “word from God” that causes them to teach contrary to scripture or to teach practices that violate God’s set laws of finance. They eventually end up destroying the church they are supposed to serve.

In other words, the fruits of false doctrine are often collapse and church splits. Those are not acceptable fruits.

Teachers of false doctrine often stray from the gospel and teach some sort of prosperity faith, faith-healing or spiritual heresy.

Many teachers of false doctrine are leaders of very large congregations and are very charismatic. They teach a sort of “positive thinking” theosophy resulting in leading hoards astray.

Sometimes teachers of false doctrine are not the leaders of “mega-churches,” but of churches that should be growing but because of their false teachings and/or their inattention to the gospel, end up splitting instead.

Another characteristic of teachers of false doctrines is that they “experiment” with a variety of styles of both worship and education. They leave the methods that follow the principles laid out in God’s word and follow the crowds of those who are bent on becoming modernists.

The really sad thing is that leaders of the congregation who really “like the pastor” follow him over the cliff of failure and despair, blaming everything but themselves for being led down the wrong path.

More than anything else, Christians need to learn how to “rightly divide” the word, understanding that it is God’s revelation of His character, His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption.