Chapter five

The rise of false doctrines

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

It is no news that the Holy Scriptures declared that a time will come when people will not give ear to the true gospel. Rather, people will be interested in doctrines that condone their wickedness. Apostle Paul further wrote that people will give ear to false teachings and reject true teachings.

I am not surprised when some people criticize my teachings. Honestly, I preach hard against sin, especially fornication, and one thing I have realized is that most people don’t love it when you preach hard against their evil deeds. The sad truth is that most people will not give offerings after preaching the hard truth! Unfortunately, some preachers fear losing offerings and tithes. They are afraid to preach the truth. Some pastors even fear losing church members. These preachers would rather encourage their members in their wickedness than rebuke them for their sin.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

I hope you read the Holy Scriptures. The gospel is the good news. However, the same gospel must convict, correct, and instruct people to follow the kingdom laws so that we can become perfect and thoroughly furnished unto good works. It is so sad that people prefer the gospel of convenience.

One thing I have realized about most churches full of people with large systems and modern facilities is that most of the pastors are either motivational speakers, ignorant leaders, or false preachers. You will hardly see people pursuing churches that preach the undiluted truth. It is only those who have built their inner man who pursue pastors who preach the true doctrine.

We live in a generation in which most preachers exalt personal experience above the word of God. Some people even use their dreams and visions to create a doctrine. When pastors teach false doctrines, it produces weak and false Christians. We build doctrines on the word of God, not on personal experiences and visions. Even if you have experiences, visions, dreams, and revelations, you must test them with the word of God and verify them with the Holy Spirit and holy prophets.

Experiences and visions will pass away. However, the word of God will never pass away. I know ministers of the gospel who have created doctrines based on personal visions, experiences, and revelations. When we create doctrines from revelations, visions, and experiences without testing them against the word of God, it creates conflict within the body of Christ Jesus.

For instance, in some churches, members do not wear shoes, sandals, earrings, or trousers because the pastor or a member of the church had a dream about them. In some churches, the members worship the pastor as a god.

In some churches, members wear only red dresses. In some churches, the people occasionally drink strange water and bathe with it to “sanctify” their bodies. In some churches, the pastors preach that there is no heaven, hell, or Satan. Some “churches” even believe that Christ Jesus is an angel of God!

There are a lot of strange doctrines and things going on in many “churches” because of the dreams, visions, and revelations received from the “Holy Spirit.” One truth we must know is that, once the mind accepts something to be true, it’s very hard to convince the mind to reject it. For instance, I met a lady in an auditorium who identified herself as a Christian. I asked the lady about her experiences with dreams. I meant, what happens while asleep? This lady said she doesn’t believe in dreams. Her body language and facial expressions backed up her belief.

She was not willing to open up, so we could discuss dreams and spiritual warfare in the Holy Bible. This lady did not believe most of the teachings in the Holy Bible because of the false teachings she had received in her “church.”

I met another Christian on the campus of Koforidua Technical University. This Christian believed that once saved, you are always saved because that is what a pastor taught him. He believed that his present and future sins were forgiven. He even said that there is no need for praying for forgiveness of sin because Christ Jesus has settled his sin. This means that this brother could steal, fight, and do evil, and God will not count it as sin because Christ Jesus has forgiven. That is what he believes because it is a doctrine in his church!

I even met a “theologian” who said even if an armed robber who has given his life to Christ Jesus kills somebody and keeps doing such barbaric acts, that armed robber will still go to Heaven without asking for forgiveness of sin because his present and future sins have been covered. What a shock!

I have met several Christians who have strange doctrines “guiding” them. If you try teaching them the Holy Scriptures, they will reject them. I do not blame them because false doctrines have dominated their mind. Imagine meeting someone whose pastor has taught that his present and future sins are forgiven when he gives his life to Christ Jesus. Such a person will see nothing wrong with harming you because he believes that God has already forgiven him. It shouldn’t be news when we see and hear “Christians” in high leadership positions corrupting the system. One reason for their corruption is the false doctrine they have received. As Christians, we must search the Holy Scriptures to confirm every teaching we receive.

These were more noble than those in Berea, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 17:11

The Christians in Berea searched the Holy Scriptures daily to confirm the teachings they received. Today, everyone can teach and preach without limitation. The internet has made it possible, while social media has made it easy to preach the word of God. Anyone can use their electronic device to teach false doctrines, visions, experiences, and revelations; therefore, apply wisdom.

Further Holy Scriptures for studies: Matthew 24:11, Jeremiah 23:25-26, Acts 17:11 Galatians 1:8–9 1 Timothy 4:1–2 2 Timothy 4:3–4 Jude 3 1 John 4:1