Young People's Group

Standing Against False Doctrines

by Mitchell Tan
November 04, 2016

DETRIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES TO HEEDING FALSE DOCTRINES

There is only one aim behind the works of the evil one and his demons. It is to destroy lives. They seek to war against us with great hate and they will do all they can to wreck our lives. One of their methods is to deceive us through doctrines of demons. Falsehood can bring about devastating results to people’s lives. This was something that Paul strongly warned about in his epistle to Timothy. These are some of the destructive consequences when people give heed to doctrines of demons.

“Some will depart from the faith … Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods …”
1 Timothy 4:1, 2-3

1. IT RUINS PEOPLE’S FAITH

Falsehood can cause people to depart totally from the true faith in the Lord.

2. IT CORRUPTS PEOPLE’S CONDUCT

It can cause people to live in hypocrisy and to constantly lie to maintain appearances.

3. IT BURNS PEOPLE’S CONSCIENCE

It can also cause people to have a conscience that is “cauterised” with a “hot iron”. It means that the conscience is now so damaged that it does not know what is right and wrong. This is of course in contrast to heeding good doctrine which would bring about a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:5).

4. IT PROMOTES WRONG PRACTICES AND LIFESTYLE

It also causes people to be caught up with false practices like celibacy and retraining from certain kinds of food. These were most probably Jewish practices that continued to be upheld.

DEFENDING OURSELVES AGAINST FALSE DOCTRINES

“… Which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
1 Timothy 4:3

The best way to defend ourselves from falsehood is with faith and truth.

1. KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION OF FAITH

There must be that knowledge with regards to God creating all animals and how today under the New Covenant, they are all to be received with thanksgiving. There must a proper application of faith with regard to this. The phrase “Those who believe” in Greek refers to those who are faithful. Those who believe and are faithful to the Lord would be thankful for His grace in providing food. They would be full of gratitude.

2. KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION OF TRUTH

When dealing with wrong ideas of abstinence from certain types of food, there must be knowledge of truth. The word “Know” in Greek suggests “deeper knowledge”. Our challenge is to have a deeper knowledge of truth and to apply it in our life and ministry. We are allowed to eat all food that the Lord has provided for us. Let’s defend ourselves from falsehood with the truth of God’s word.

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