Avoid False Creeds
The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…. But you be watchful in all things.
2 Timothy 4:3, 5
The prophet Isaiah gave this helpful counsel concerning recognizing false doctrine, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa 8:20). Heretical doctrines and false creeds cannot withstand the scrutiny of Scripture’s divine light.
False creeds never teach the necessity to enter through Christ’s narrow gate or to walk on His narrow way. At first glance their contents may appear to be orthodox and to demand real faith, but ultimately their message will rest on the foundation of human works and will teach salvation by human effort. Such creeds will not reveal the depth or danger of sin and human depravity, and consequently will not advocate the need for repentance, forgiveness, and submission to the Lord.
The message of all false creeds is a message of gaps, the greatest of which omits the truth of the gospel that saves.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 254). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Sinful men will seek to hear what they want to hear. They will welcome false doctrine which does not force them to examine themselves and turn away from sin. They will seek false teachers who preach a gospel which does not require repentance, an incomplete gospel, a false creed which omits what is necessary to understand and grasp saving faith. In many cases, these teachings may appear correct on the surface, but true followers of Christ can examine those teachings against the light of scripture and see the gaps and holes in its faulty doctrine.
Applications: Don't seek teachings which are just pleasing to hear. Seek out preaching which accurately divides and exposits scripture (2 Tim 2:15). Be watchful and discerning to recognize what is true and what is false according to God's word. Always base your counseling and your ministry to others on biblical principals, not just on human experience and emotions. The basis of sound doctrine and right living must be scripture.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a recognition of my need for Christ. Pray for a recognition of my need to learn and know scripture, so I can discern truth from error. Pray that any time that I minister to anyone, I would fall back on scripture as the ultimate authority, and base any advice or counseling I give on sound biblical principals.
Listen to this entry
2 Timothy 4:3, 5
The prophet Isaiah gave this helpful counsel concerning recognizing false doctrine, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa 8:20). Heretical doctrines and false creeds cannot withstand the scrutiny of Scripture’s divine light.
False creeds never teach the necessity to enter through Christ’s narrow gate or to walk on His narrow way. At first glance their contents may appear to be orthodox and to demand real faith, but ultimately their message will rest on the foundation of human works and will teach salvation by human effort. Such creeds will not reveal the depth or danger of sin and human depravity, and consequently will not advocate the need for repentance, forgiveness, and submission to the Lord.
The message of all false creeds is a message of gaps, the greatest of which omits the truth of the gospel that saves.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 254). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Sinful men will seek to hear what they want to hear. They will welcome false doctrine which does not force them to examine themselves and turn away from sin. They will seek false teachers who preach a gospel which does not require repentance, an incomplete gospel, a false creed which omits what is necessary to understand and grasp saving faith. In many cases, these teachings may appear correct on the surface, but true followers of Christ can examine those teachings against the light of scripture and see the gaps and holes in its faulty doctrine.
Applications: Don't seek teachings which are just pleasing to hear. Seek out preaching which accurately divides and exposits scripture (2 Tim 2:15). Be watchful and discerning to recognize what is true and what is false according to God's word. Always base your counseling and your ministry to others on biblical principals, not just on human experience and emotions. The basis of sound doctrine and right living must be scripture.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a recognition of my need for Christ. Pray for a recognition of my need to learn and know scripture, so I can discern truth from error. Pray that any time that I minister to anyone, I would fall back on scripture as the ultimate authority, and base any advice or counseling I give on sound biblical principals.
Listen to this entry
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