Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching (doctrine), by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow every way into Him who is the head-Christ. Ephesians 4:14-16 HCSB
If you have ever watched Spencer Smith on YouTube, you have probably heard him say, “Doctrine Matters” or at least seen it flash across the screen. The question I want you to consider today is why does doctrine matter?
Does it matter what religion you are? Isn’t it all about the relationship? Does it matter what preacher or evangelist you listen to as long as they quote Scripture and talk about God? The answer to all these questions are yes.
It matters because we are surrounded by religions that teach things contrary to the Bible. There are even religions that have their own Bibles. Now these are easy to spot. But, I can tell you if you are a new Christian, you’re like a young child. You are soaking up knowledge. You want to drink it all in.
Be very careful. This is the stage where it is easy to become deceived. You must get into a good Bible teaching church. You must fact check your pastor to be sure that everything he says lines up with what’s in God’s word. Our pastor tells us all the time not to take his word for it, but to check our Bibles.
When we are first saved or first drawn to church, we are like baby Christians. Our Scripture passages says that we must grow and mature as Christians so we will no longer be like little children being tossed about and being blown around by the waves and every wind of teaching.
We must be selective, we must have discernment. We must exercise caution and be wise. We can only obtain wisdom from God. If we want to be wise, we need only ask God who gives us wisdom generously and without reproach (James 1:5).
I’ve often heard people say, “Well, at least they are going to church or watching church on tv or listening to this or that pastor.” My friend, this is dangerous. There are so many false teachers out there. Jesus said in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.”
In 1 Timothy 6:2-5 it says, “If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.
A huge red flag is when a pastor prophesizes disaster if you don’t do what he says or give generously to his ministry. Another is when they promise if you do what they say or give money to them, you will be blessed with great health or wealth.
Don’t let anyone deceive you into thinking there are many ways to heaven. There is one way, one truth and one life and that is through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ only (John 14:6). Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:14 it is a narrow gate and a difficult road that leads to life and few find it.
Be very careful with “new age religion”. 1 John 4:1 says we are not to believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone into the world.
How do you test the spirit? 1 John 4:2-3 says every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit who does not confess Jesus is from God is the spirit of the antichrist.
John goes on to say the spirits of the antichrist are already in the world, but we conquer them when Jesus lives inside of us because He is greater than the world.
Don’t take my word for it, don’t take Spencer Smith’s word for it, don’t even take your pastor’s word for it. Study your Bible. Don’t just read it, study it. Know what the Scripture says.
The Bible is our only weapon, Scripture is our sword (Ephesians 6:17). We must know how and when to swing it.
Have a great day!