Another harmful practice that we can add to the list, and one that has seriously affected the Lord’s church throughout the centuries, is the preaching of false doctrine. Since the days of the New Testament, congregations have suffered greatly because of men who have shown no respect for the sound teaching revealed by God. The apostle Paul repeatedly warned about the danger of those who would introduce strange doctrines and lead disciples away from the truth (Acts 20:28–30).

When we speak of false doctrine, we are referring to any teaching that conflicts with God’s will as revealed in the Scriptures. Any doctrine that contradicts the divine message, alters the plan of salvation, or disregards the authority of God’s Word must be considered false doctrine (Galatians 1:6–9).

False doctrine will always harm the church because it prevents believers from being nourished by the pure message of the gospel. Instead of edifying the soul and strengthening faith, it produces confusion, division, and separation from God. Paul taught that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Whenever men replace divine truth with human opinions, the church suffers serious spiritual consequences.

There are people who teach error because they have not properly studied the Scriptures. They have not learned the fundamental principles of Biblical interpretation and, therefore, teach what they do not fully understand. Paul exhorted Timothy: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Sadly, there are also those who teach false doctrine even while knowing that it contradicts God’s Word. Some simply repeat the teachings of favorite preachers, relatives, or friends, placing human loyalty above divine authority. Jesus condemned this attitude when He said, “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).

Therefore, an important question arises: How does false doctrine harm the Lord’s church? Let us consider several answers.

1. False doctrine contradicts the command to teach only sound doctrine.

Paul commanded, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). He also exhorted Timothy to hold fast “the pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13). God has never authorized the teaching of error.

2. False doctrine leads people down the wrong path.

Jesus declared, “And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:14). False teachers lead souls away from the path of salvation.

3. False doctrine deceives sincere and unsuspecting people.

Romans 16:17–18 teaches that false teachers deceive others “by smooth words and flattering speech.” Peter also warned that many would follow their destructive ways (2 Peter 2:1–2).

4. False doctrine replaces the preaching of truth.

Peter wrote, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). When error occupies the pulpit, the church ceases to hear the message that saves.

5. False doctrine draws believers away from faithfulness to God.

Paul rebuked the Galatians because they were abandoning the true gospel (Galatians 1:6–9). Likewise, Hymenaeus and Philetus overthrew the faith of some through their false teachings (2 Timothy 2:16–18).

6. False doctrine hinders spiritual growth.

God established spiritual leaders to equip the saints and bring them to maturity (Ephesians 4:11–16). False doctrine produces spiritual immaturity and causes Christians to be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.”

7. False doctrine produces confusion and division.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). False teachings generate disputes, divisions, and conflicts within the congregation (Romans 16:17).

8. False doctrine separates man from God.

John wrote, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God” (2 John 9). Doctrinal error breaks fellowship with the Father and the Son.

9. False doctrine brings condemnation upon those who teach it.

Peter affirmed that false teachers would introduce destructive heresies and bring swift destruction upon themselves (2 Peter 2:1–3). James also warned that teachers will receive a stricter judgment (James 3:1).

10. False doctrine contaminates the entire congregation.

Paul declared, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9). Doctrinal error rarely remains isolated; in time, it affects the entire church.

11. False doctrine encourages apostasy.

The Holy Spirit announced that “in latter times some will depart from the faith” (1 Timothy 4:1). Apostasy always begins when people abandon the revealed truth.

12. False doctrine hardens the heart and produces resistance to the truth.

Paul spoke of those who “will not endure sound doctrine” and will seek teachers according to their own desires (2 Timothy 4:3–4). Error leads people to reject the will of God.

13. False doctrine destroys the spiritual unity of the church.

Christ prayed that His disciples might be one (John 17:20–21). True unity can exist only when all remain in the same doctrine (Ephesians 4:4–6).

14. False doctrine dishonors the name of Christ.

Peter taught that because of false teachers, “the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Peter 2:2). The world observes religious divisions and errors and comes to despise the gospel.

Churches that tolerate false doctrine are in serious spiritual danger. Numerical growth alone does not constitute evidence of divine approval. A congregation may grow in numbers while simultaneously drifting away from the revealed truth. Faithfulness to God must always take precedence over popularity and apparent success.

The only way to maintain a pure and obedient church is through the faithful and consistent exposition of God’s Word. Christians must develop a deep respect for the authority of Scripture and carefully examine every teaching in the light of the Bible (Acts 17:11).

Elders have the responsibility to watch over the spiritual well-being of the flock and to protect it from false teachers (Acts 20:28–31; Titus 1:9). Likewise, the congregation must insist that only the whole counsel of God be preached from the pulpit (Acts 20:27).

May each one of us imitate the attitude of the psalmist who declared, “The entirety of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). May our heavenly Father help us always to love, respect, and defend the sound doctrine revealed in His holy Word.