• Questions About False Doctrines

  • By: Keith Muoki
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Questions About False Doctrines

By: Keith Muoki
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  • Summary

  • Doctrine is “a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true.” Biblical doctrine refers to teachings that align with the revealed Word of God, the Bible. False doctrine is any idea that adds to, takes away from, contradicts, or nullifies the doctrine given in God’s Word. For example, any teaching about Jesus that denies His virgin birth is a false doctrine, because it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture (Matthew 1:18). As early as the first century AD, false doctrine was already infiltrating the church, and many of the letters in the New Testament were written to address those errors (Galatians 1:6–9; Colossians 2:20–23; Titus 1:10–11). Paul exhorted his protégé Timothy to guard against those who were peddling heresies and confusing the flock: “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:3–4). As followers of Christ, we have no excuse for remaining ignorant of theology because we have the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) available to us—the Bible is complete. As we “study to show ourselves approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15), we are less likely to be taken in by smooth talkers and false prophets. When we know God’s Word, “we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14). It is important to point out the difference between false doctrine and denominational disagreements. Different congregational groups see secondary issues in Scripture differently. These differences are not always due to false doctrine on anyone’s part. Church policies, governmental decisions, style of worship, etc., are all open for discussion, since they are not directly addressed in Scripture. Even those issues that are addressed in Scripture are often debated by equally sincere disciples of Christ. Differences in interpretation or practice do not necessarily qualify as false doctrine, nor should they divide the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10). False doctrine is that which opposes some fundamental truth or that which is necessary for salvation. The following are some examples of false doctrine: • The erasing of hell. The Bible describes hell as a real place of eternal torment, the destination for every unregenerate soul (Revelation 20:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). A denial of hell directly contradicts Jesus’ own words (Matthew 10:28; 25:46) and is therefore a false doctrine. • The idea that there are “many paths to God.” This philosophy has become popular recently under the guise of tolerance. This false doctrine claims that, since God is love, He will accept any religious effort as long as the practitioner is sincere. Such relativism flies in the face of the entire Bible and effectively eliminates any need for the Son of God to take on flesh and be crucified for us (Jeremiah 12:17; John 3:15–18). It also contradicts Jesus’ direct words that He is the only way to God (John 14:6). • Any teaching that redefines the person of Jesus Christ. Doctrine that denies the deity of Christ, the virgin birth, His sinless nature, His actual death, or His physical resurrection is false doctrine. A group’s errant Christology readily identifies it as a sect or cult that may claim to be Christian but is actually teaching false doctrine. Even many mainline denominations have begun the rapid slide into apostasy by declaring that they no longer hold to a literal interpretation of Scripture or the deity of Christ. First John 4:1–3 makes it clear that a denial of biblical Christology is “anti-Christ.” Jesus described false teachers within the church as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). • Teaching that adds human religious works to Christ’s finished work on the cross as necessary ingredients for salvation. This teaching may pay lip...
    Copyright Keith Muoki
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Episodes
  • What does the Bible say about false prophets?

    What does the Bible say about false prophets?
    Aug 14 2021
    A false prophet is a person who spreads false teachings or messages while claiming to speak the Word of God. In the Bible, false prophets also spoke on behalf of false gods. False prophets functioned in their prophetic role illegitimately or for the purpose of deception. The Bible denounces false prophets for leading people astray. In the Old Testament, the actual term false prophet does not occur, but references to false prophets are evident and abundant. In the book of Jeremiah, we encounter a clear description of false prophets: “Then the LORD said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds’” (Jeremiah 14:14; see also 23:21–33; Zechariah 10:2). The primary difference between men like Jeremiah—a true prophet of God—and false prophets was their source of information. Rather than speak the Word of the Lord, false prophets delivered messages that originated in their own hearts and minds: “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD’” (Jeremiah 23:16; see also 14:14; 23:25–32; Ezekiel 13:1–7). God distances Himself from all false prophets: “I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied” (Jeremiah 23:21). Another difference between true prophets and false prophets in the Bible is motivation. True prophets are motivated by loyalty to God above all else, whereas false prophets are motivated by self-interest and a desire to be popular among the people (1 Kings 22:13–14). While Jeremiah foretold the grim truth of coming desolation upon Jerusalem (Jeremiah 4), the false prophets promised peace (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11). Naturally, the people of Judah preferred the pleasant messages of the false prophets: “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies” (Isaiah 30:10, NLT). Often false prophets were hired for payment or spoke their messages for financial gain: “Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the LORD’s support and say, ‘Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us’” (Micah 3:11; see also Nehemiah 6:12–13; Jeremiah 6:13–14; Ezekiel 13:19; 2 Peter 2:1–3). Israel could not always discern the difference between a true and false prophet. In 1 Kings 22, King Jehoshaphat of Judah sought counsel from the Lord before he and King Ahab of Israel embarked on their mission to retake the city of Ramoth in Gilead. Jehoshaphat heard the predictions of victory from Ahab’s 400 counselors but suspected that these men were false prophets who did not have the mind of the Lord. Jehoshaphat’s suspicions were correct: they were Ahab’s “yes men,” false prophets who had no concern for relating the true Word of God. They merely said what the king wanted to hear and collected their salary from the royal treasury. Jehoshaphat asked if there was another prophet who could give a second opinion. Ahab called for the prophet Micaiah, albeit reluctantly: “I hate him,” Ahab complained, “because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad” (1 Kings 22:8). True to form, Micaiah prophesied that Ahab would be killed in the battle and Israel would be “scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd” (verse 17). Micaiah, whose words came to pass, proved to be the true prophet of God. None of the false prophets in Ahab’s court could keep the king alive. The punishment specified for false prophets in the Old Testament was severe: “If any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death” (Deuteronomy 18:20). In the New Testament, Jesus...
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    46 mins
  • What does it mean to decree and declare?

    What does it mean to decree and declare?
    Jul 11 2021
    In some circles, to “decree and declare” something is to powerfully speak it into existence. This phraseology has Pentecostal/Charismatic roots and is much like the “positive confession” teaching. Those involved in the “decree and declare” movement claim that if someone decrees or declares something, then it will happen. To “declare” is to state (out loud) a fact; to “decree” is to issue an authoritative command. Kenneth Hagin, a leader in the Word of Faith movement, writes, “You can have whatever you say. . . . You always get in your life what you believe for and what you say” (“You Can Have What you Say,” hopefaithprayer.com, Lesson 25, accessed 3/31/20). The “decree and declare” movement claims to be biblical by using scriptural support. Since mankind is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), then, the thinking goes, we, like God, can speak and make things happen. God spoke things into existence (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24, 26), so those with faith can do the same. Those who follow the “decree and declare” formula make such statements as “I decree and declare that I will be healed from my sickness” or “I decree and declare my family will be healthy and well provided for.” Often, asking God for things in prayer is replaced by decreeing those things to happen. It’s true that mankind is made in the image of God; however, the “decree and declare” proponents are wrong in the practical applications of that truth. Being made in the image of God does not mean that we have the same abilities that God has. Being made in the image of God means that “humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God’s nature, that is, in His communicable attributes (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him” (Allen P. Ross, Bible Knowledge Commentary: Genesis, ed. by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, David C. Cook, 1989, p. 29). Being made in the image of God means that we reflect God’s attributes, not that we can do the things that only God can, such as speak things into existence. Someone who has been taught to “decree and declare” might say something like this before taking a road trip: “I decree and declare God’s blessings on this vehicle, that it will remain mechanically sound!” In saying that, the speaker may truly believe that his verbal declaration, coupled with God’s power and authority within him, will guarantee a trouble-free trip. The problem is, our statements can be declarative, but not causative, no matter how true they are; plus, when we go around “decreeing” things, we are in danger of putting our will over God’s will. Jesus taught us to pray that God’s will be done, and He led by example (Luke 11:2; 22:42). Whether practitioners of the “decree and declare” formula realize it or not, the ritualistic vocalizing of those words has similarities to magical incantations. According to the dictionary, an incantation is “a written or recited formula of words designed to produce a particular effect” (merriam-webster.com, accessed 3/31/20). The “decree and declare” teaching says that there is something special—something powerful—associated with our thoughts and words. We can think of something and “declare” it, and that in itself will change our circumstances and bring us blessings, including prosperity and healing. There’s nothing biblical about using certain words to manipulate events to bring something to pass. Instead of praying to the Lord for healing or other needs according to His will, followers of the Word of Faith movement are taught to repeat the “decree and declare” formula in the belief that their positivity will bring about positive results. Instead of reciting formulaic declarations to obtain something, we should pray to the Lord in submission to His will (Matthew 26:42). Instead of seeking to force God’s hand by calling forth whatever we want, Christians should trust in the Heavenly Father who “knows exactly what you need even before you ask...
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    10 mins
  • What is the new anointing?

    What is the new anointing?
    Jul 11 2021
    Some Pentecostal and Charismatic churches preach about having a “new anointing.” This new anointing is said to be a new outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on the lives of believers specifically to help them experience more power, more joy, and more holiness. While there is plenty in the Bible about anointing, teaching Christians to seek a “new” anointing is not necessarily biblical, however well-meaning and spiritual-sounding the teaching may be. In examining the concept of a new anointing, let’s back up to the Old Testament and work our way forward to the ministry of Jesus Christ and beyond. In the Law, God gave instructions for making “a sacred anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25). This oil was to be used to anoint the tabernacle, the Ark, the table and its utensils, the lampstand, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering, the laver, and Aaron and his sons. (verses 26–30). Aaron and his sons were anointed in order to “consecrate them so they may serve [the Lord] as priests” (Exodus 28:41). Throughout the Old Testament, we see that God commanded various people to be anointed as a symbol of those men’s divine calling. The prophet Samuel anointed Saul with olive oil (1 Samuel 10:1) and gave him this promise: “The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy . . . and you will be changed into a different person” (verse 6). Later, Samuel anointed David, with a similar result: “From that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13). In these examples of Saul and David being anointed as kings of Israel, we also see that the Spirit of God came upon them. For this reason, oil or anointing is often seen as representative of the Holy Spirit. Anointing did not always involve a literal pouring of oil. The term anointed is also used in the Bible to describe someone God chose for a particular task. For example, the Persian king Cyrus is called God’s “anointed” in Isaiah 45:1, although no one actually poured oil on Cyrus. That Persian king was simply being declared as set apart for service to God. Jesus bears the title Christ, which means “Anointed One”—Jesus was set apart for the ultimate service of God. After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove (Matthew 3:13–16). “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and . . . he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38). Here is a wonderful truth: under the New Covenant in Christ Jesus, every believer is anointed by God for service. Every person who believes in Jesus Christ is forgiven and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. “The anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27). “It is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). The teaching of a “new anointing” following salvation is not found in the Bible. The Bible never tells us to ask for the Holy Spirit to come upon us for the simple reason that He has already come. All believers are supernaturally and permanently anointed by the Holy Spirit. We are declared holy by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who teach the “new anointing” have a tendency to seek showy supernatural experiences in their Christian walk. Those who claim to have experienced a new anointing may yet wonder why they still find life a struggle and why sin still puts up such a fight. It’s because every Christian walks in daily struggles, and no special or new anointing is going to change that. . . . . . Keith Muoki is a KJV bible believer who is saved by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus...
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    10 mins
Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
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