Seven
Reasons
To Avoid

False
Doctrine

By E. L. Bynum


   Our text is Matthew 15:1-20.   Please read it!
   People often are disturbed by the strong militant stand that
we take against false doctrine.   They do not understand the
awful consequences that come from the promotion, and yes,
the toleration of false doctrine.   While some facets of false
doctrine may seem to be harmless, it really is not.
   False doctrine is any doctrine that is not based upon the
Bible, the Word of God.   For I give you good doctrine,
forsake ye not my law.
  (Prov. 4:2)   If the doctrine does not
come from God, then there are only two other possible
sources for its origin.   (1) The doctrine comes from sinful
man, a polluted source for anything.   Howbeit in vain do they
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
men.
  (Mark 7:7)   (2) The doctrine comes from Satan the arch
deceiver and enemy of God.   Now the Spirit speaketh express-
ly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
(1
Timothy 4:1)
  So, we can see there are only three sources for
all doctrine.   If the doctrine did not come from God, it should
be rejected, because there is no other dependable source for
doctrine.
   Some people simply do not want to hear doctrine at all.
They do not understand the meaning of doctrine, or the
importance placed upon it in the Bible.   This has been perpet-
uated by many preachers, who preach little or no doctrine at
all.
   The word doctrine is found 55 times in the Bible.
Forty-nine of those times it is found in the New Testament.
This does not include the many other ways that this Greek
word is translated.   These all come from the Greek word
"didache," or some variation of it.   It basically means doc-
trine or teaching, and to be sound it has to come from God.
The doctrine is the teaching of the whole Bible.   Christianity
is an empty shell without doctrine, and is utterly useless.
The preacher who does not preach sound doctrine has noth-
ing to preach, nothing whatsoever.   He should shut up his
mouth, change his vocation, and get a job selling cars or
insurance.   (No offense intended for insurance or car sales-
men).
   In fact the Bible specifically warns believers not to
become involved in false doctrines.   Be not carried about
with divers and strange doctrines.
  (Heb. 13:9)
   Now let us consider the 7-reasons why we should avoid
and expose false doctrine.

I. False Doctrine Is Based Upon Tradition.
   Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of
Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the
tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when
they eat bread.
  (Matt. 15:1-2)
   False doctrine cannot be truly based upon the Word of
God.   Often they twist the Bible to try to prove their teach-
ing, but their doctrine is based upon human tradition.   Paul
warns of the danger of following human tradition.   4 And this
I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and
vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of
the world, and not after Christ.   22 Which all are to perish
with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of
men?
(Col. 2:4,8,22)
   False Doctrine Detracts From Christ.   Colossians Chap-

ter 2 exalts Jesus Christ.   False doctrine leads people away
from Christ.   Notice how he is trying to point them back to
Christ.   Speaking of Christ, he writes, 3 In whom are hid all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.   6 As ye have
therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as
ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.   9
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.   10
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all princi-
pality and power:
(Col. 2:3,6,7,9,10)

   False Doctrine Practiced Today.   Roman Catholics wor-
ship Mary
and call her the Mother of God.   This is not
found in the Bible, but originated with the Council of
Ephesus in 431 A.D.   The Catholic priest conducts the mass,
which is the re-sacrifice of Christ.   This tradition of man was
started in 394 A.D. and is blasphemous.   They believe in the
doctrine of purgatory, where people go after death to suffer
for their sins, before going on to heaven.   Good Catholics
have to pay to get their relatives prayed out of purgatory.
This is nothing but the tradition of man, and it was started
in 593 A.D.   The celibacy of the priesthood, was started in
the year 1079 A.D.   By refusing to let the priests marry, they
have caused untold thousands of priests to be homosexuals
and others to commit adultery.   This is a part of the religion
that is based upon human tradition.
   Confession of sins to a priest, was instituted by Pope
Innocent III, in the Lateran Council in 1215 A.D.   This a
terrible departure from the truth, and an evil tradition of
man.   I could go on and on with the false doctrines of the
Roman Catholic Church.
   Through the ecumenical movement, the devil is attempt-
ing to unite all churches to the Roman Catholic apostate
denomination.   This has been the goal of the World Council
of Churches and the National Council of Churches.   Most
Protestant denominations belong to these apostate councils of
churches.
   Promise Keepers And False Doctrines.   The Promise
Keepers
are now bringing all denominations together, with
the set purpose of tearing down the walls that divide.   They
have accepted Roman Catholics as Christian brothers, with-
out the Catholics giving up the false doctrines listed above.
They want us to accept the doctrines and practices of Roman
Catholics, Mormons, Charismatics
, and Liberals.   They
want us to call these people brothers in Christ, and to fellow-
ship with them.
   Promise Keepers is the most deadly, deceptive, and
dangerous movement to appear in the 20th Century.   It is the
devil's masterpiece of ecumenical deception.   It is breaking
down the wall of separation between Bible believers and
heretics.   It is being used to infiltrate Independent Baptist
Churches through the men of the church.   This undermines
the doctrinal position of true churches, and undermines the
authority and leadership of the pastor.   Fundamental churches
must resist it with all their might.

II. False Doctrine Transgress Commandments
   ...ye also transgress the commandment of God by your
tradition? ...Thus have ye made the commandment of God of
none effect by your tradition.
  (Matt. 15:3,6)
  Many people
think there is no harm in the religious traditions of man.
There is much harm, because they transgress the doctrines of

God.   In the context of these verses, we find that these
religious Jews used tradition, so they could disobey the
Word of God.   (See verses 4-6).   These rich people would not
honour their father and mother.   Fathers and mothers were in
need, and they were obligated to support them.   However,
they said, it is a gift, and thus avoided this support.   They
were simply saying, we cannot help father or mother because
what we have has been dedicated to God.   This was simply
a sinful way to try to escape their financial responsibility.
   They were simply transgressing the Word of God.   They
were in deep sin.   Paul clearly states the depth of such sin.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of
his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than
an infidel.
  (1 Tim. 5:8)
  They were simply denying the law
of God.   It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have
made void thy law.
  (Psa. 119:126)

   Those who are promoting false doctrine ignore the Bible
doctrine of separation, or any other doctrine that gets in their
way.
   Making The Doctrines Of God Of None Effect.   The
promoters of false doctrine cover their tracks by twisting
Scripture.   Every wino knows the verse which says, ...use a
little wine for thy stomach's sake....
  (1 Tim. 5:23)
  Of course
he ignores the many, many Scriptures, which warn against
using fermented wine as a beverage.
   Promise Keepers and other compromisers, will quote
Matthew 7:1 with vigor.   Judge not, that ye be not judged.
(Matt. 7:1)
  They completely ignore other verses in this
chapter, such as, Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves.
  (Matt. 7:15)
  How are you going to know false
prophets, if you do not judge them?   How can you expose the
wolves in sheep's clothing, if you do not judge whether they
are sheep or wolves?
   They ignore the verses about the trees and the fruit.   16
Ye shall know them by their fruits.   Do men gather grapes of
thorns, or figs of thistles?   17 Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit.   18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.   19 Every
tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast
into the fire.   20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know
them.
  (Matt. 7:16-20)
  You must judge a tree by its fruits.
Even so, you can judge false teachers the same way.
   Jesus warned of the two gates and the two ways.   The
broad way leads to destruction, while the narrow way leads
to life everlasting.   How will you know which way is the
narrow way, if you do not pass judgment?   13 Enter ye in at
the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the
way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

(Matt. 7:13-14)

   Jesus Christ commanded that we judge righteous judg-
ment
.   Judge not according to the appearance, but judge
righteous judgment.
  (John 7:24)
  Paul admonished the Church
at Corinth to do that very thing, when he told them that he
had already judged the fornicator in the Church.   He urged
the whole Church to judge him.   (See 1 Cor. 5:1-13)
   When Jesus said, Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matt.
7:1)
, He is talking about hypocritical judgment.   If you study

vs. 2-5, you will certainly understand this.

III. False Doctrine Is Hypocritical. v. 7,8
   The false teachers, during the days of Jesus, were always
judging others, and they did it in a hypocritical way, just as
he warned against in Matt. 7:1-5.   In our text, He pointed out
their hypocrisy.   7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of
you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their
mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is
far from me.
  (Matt. 15:7-8)

   Hypocrite is a word which means, "a stage player, actor,
or pretender."
  That is exactly what the false teachers are.
Promise Keepers fill large stadiums with many thousands of
men who talk about love and brotherhood.   Yet, if you dis-
agree with them, they can be very vindicative and hateful.   I
have a friend who has a lot of material about Promise
Keepers on the Internet web page.   He sent me a list of very
hateful letters that he has received from Promise Keepers.   It
is the same way with all the promoters of false doctrine.
They talk about love and being broad minded, but there is no
love nor broad mindedness toward those who hold to the
truth.
   Recently, Bill McCartney, former football coach of the
University of Colorado was in town.   He is the founder of
Promise Keepers, and a tireless promoter of their agenda.
He was here to speak at the Mexican Baptist Convention
(Southern Baptist), and to promote the PK movement.   He
also spoke to a private meeting of about 50 clergymen, at the
Central Church of Christ.   Apparently this meeting was to
reach the black people of East Lubbock.
   He was interviewed by the religious editor of the Lubbock
Avalanche-Journal.   I am quoting the following from that
interview: "He has a warning for skeptics who do not
want the Promise Keepers movement in their churches.   'I
really believe they better be careful that he (God) doesn't
pass them by because this is a movement of God.   Those
that sit back are at risk,' McCartney said."
  (LAJ 6-26-96)
(Emphasis ours).
   I have news for the famous Bill McCartney.   Promise
Keepers is not a movement of God, and they are on the
wrong road, the one that leads to destruction.   In their spiritu-
al ignorance, these people are deceived, but they are confi-
dent that they are right.   What a sad day for these people
when they wake up and find out that they have missed the
way, and the truth, and the life.

IV. False Doctrine Leads To Vain Worship
   All false doctrine leads to vain worship.   It is empty,
useless, and detrimental to those who believe and practice it.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
  (Matt. 15:9)
  All the commandments
of men consist of false doctrines, because they do not get it
from the Bible.   When Promise Keepers and the other false
religionists tell us that we must get together with modernists,
Mormons and Mary worshippers, they are teaching false
doctrine.   When they tell us that we must worship with wild
charismatic heretics, such as Oral Roberts, Benny Hinn, and
Kenneth Hagin, they are asking us to engage in vain wor-
ship
.
   The Bible warns us of these false prophets, with their
false doctrine and vain worship.   1 Now the Spirit speaketh

expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the
faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared
with a hot iron;
(1 Tim. 4:1-2)
  Multitudes are now departing
from the faith.   They think that they are right, but in reality
they are giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils.   This is exactly what the above Scripture is talking
about.
   We are further warned not to be carried about with these
divers and strange doctrines.   Be not carried about with
divers and strange doctrines.   For it is a good thing that the
heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have
not profited them that have been occupied therein.
  (Heb.
13:9)

V. False Doctrine Is Defiling. v. 11
   False teachers are nearly always taking the wrong side on
Biblical doctrines.   The Pharisees thought that men were
defiled by eating with unwashed hands.   They never realized
that the false doctrine proceeding out of their mouths, was
the thing that defiled men.   Jesus told them so in no uncertain
terms.   Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man;
but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

(Matt. 15:11)

   We are to be on the lookout for the false prophets, which
come in sheep's clothing.   Beware of false prophets, which
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves.
  (Matt. 7:15)
  The faithful pastor will warn
the men of his church against Promise Keepers, charismatics,
modernists, Mormons, and Roman Catholics.   It is not
popular to do so, but we must do so, if we are going to be
true to Christ.   The pastor who will not do so is a weak
Willie, and will live to see wolves in sheep's clothing steal
his flock.
   Their false doctrine, is called leaven, by Jesus.   Then
Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
  (Matt. 16:6)
  This false
doctrine is a powerful ingredient.   A little leaven can cause
a whole loaf of bread to puff and rise, so it fills the baking
pan.   Even so, false doctrine spreads, puffs up, and pollutes
the truth with poison.   This is exactly what is going on in the
religious world today.
   One whole chapter of 2 Peter is devoted to warning
against false teachers.   While we cannot quote it all, consider
these verses.   But there were false prophets also among the
people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who
privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the
Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift
destruction.
  (2 Pet. 2:1)
  Some might say, Promise Keepers
do not deny Christ.   When they lead you to fellowship with
Mormons, they are leading you to deny Christ.   The Mor-
mons believe that Jesus is an elder brother of Satan.   They
believe that He is a created being, and that Mormons can
become Gods.   If this is not a denial of Christ, I would like
to know what it is.
   The Roman Catholics worship Mary, and that worship
belongs to Christ.   That is a denial of Christ.   They pray to
Mary, and that is a blasphemous denial of Christ.   They
conduct the horrible Mass, and that is a denial of the sacri-
fice of Christ.   They pray to Mary, and the saints, and that
is a denial of Christ.

   Many people are impressed by the tremendous numbers
of men that pack stadiums all over the nation, under the
leadership of Promise Keepers.   That should never impress
the mature Christian.   We know that many people are attract-
ed to false doctrine.   And many shall follow their pernicious
ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil
spoken of.
  (2 Pet. 2:2)
  Of course there are some born again
Christians that are involved with Promise Keepers, but they
are deceived by false teachers.
   Promise Keepers was started by people involved in the
charismatic movement.   It flowed out of the Vineyard Fel-
lowship.   This is the same group that produced the so-called
laughing revival.   Oh yes, they are going to break down the
walls that divide Christians.   They are going to end racism.
They make it all sound so good, but they are defiling the
religious world with false doctrine.   For when they speak
great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts
of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean
escaped from them who live in error.
  (2 Pet. 2:18)

VI. False Doctrines Will Be Rooted Up. v. 13
   The disciples were concerned, because the Pharisees were
offended by the strong teaching of our Lord.   Then came his
disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees
were offended, after they heard this saying?
(Matt. 15:12)
  It
is so today, when we expose the false doctrine promoted by
false teachers today, some well meaning Christians are
concerned that we have offended Promise Keepers, Catho-
lics, and charismatics.   Our answer should include what Jesus
said.   But he answered and said, Every plant, which my
heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
  (Matt.
15:13)

   Today, the tares are growing among the wheat.   The tares
are the false teachers and their offspring.   They were sown by
the devil.   The day is coming when their folly will be fully
revealed.   38 The field is the world; the good seed are the
children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the
wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the
harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the
angels.   40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned
in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
  (Matt.
13:38-40)

VII. False Doctrine Brings Disaster. v. 14
   When the blind lead the blind, disaster awaits them.   That
is the reason that we are doing our best to warn people of
the awful result of following false doctrine.   Let them alone:
they be blind leaders of the blind.   And if the blind lead the
blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
  (Matt. 15:14)
  Many
people are following these spiritually blind false teachers,
and they are being led into the ditch.   They desperately need
someone to warn them, that they might flee from the wrath
to come.
   Destruction Awaiting The Deceived.   The ditch that
many will fall in, is the fires of an eternal Hell.   How sad that
many are missing the strait gate, and have entered the broad
way that leads to destruction.   (Matt. 7:13-14)   It will be
disastrous to those who fail to beware of false prophets, and
who are devoured by ravening wolves in sheep's clothing.
(Matt. 7:15-20)
   It will be a shock to that multitude who have built their

spiritual house on the shifting sands instead of the Rock of
Ages.   (Matt. 7:24-27)   The destiny of all these deceived
people who remain in deception, is horrible beyond words.
Jesus described it clearly in the following passage: 21 Not
every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven.   22 Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy
name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works?   23 And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(Matt. 7:21-23)

   Are we glad that this deceived mob of religious people
are on the road to Hell?   Of course not, for we would like to
see them all come to the knowledge of the truth and be
saved.   False doctrine is so deadly, because the followers of
it have such a horrible future to look forward to.   May God
help us to use every means possible, to bring them to the
knowledge of the truth.
   What Should Bible Believers Do?   We are told to with-
draw from such people.   Perverse disputings of men of
corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain
is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
  (1 Tim. 6:5)

   We are not to believe everyone that comes along with
some new doctrine or practice.   Beloved, believe not every
spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because
many false prophets are gone out into the world.
  (1 John
4:1)
  We are to try them with the Word of God.   To the law
and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them.
  (Isa. 8:20)

   We are told that we are to mark them and avoid them.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divi-
sions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them.
  (Rom. 16:17)
  We are commanded
to rebuke them.   This witness is true.   Wherefore rebuke them
sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
(Tit. 1:13)
  We
are to have no fellowship with them.   And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them.
  (Eph. 5:11)

   We are to withdraw from them.   Now we command you,
brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye
withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disor-
derly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
  (2
Thess. 3:6)
  We are to reject all false teachers, for they are
heretics.   A man that is an heretick after the first and second
admonition reject;
(Tit. 3:10)   We are to separate from them,
and not to fellowship with them.   Wherefore come out from
among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
(2 Cor. 6:17)
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them.
  (Eph. 5:11)

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