Doctrine

8 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'"

Matt. 15:8-9

Jesus quoted from the prophet Isaiah to warn his followers that there would come those who would teach things as doctrine that come from men and not God. Note the connection that "their heart is far from me". All doctrine must stem from the personality of God as revealed in His son. Indeed John tells the church that " If any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting;" II John 1:10

Paul explains to Timothy in I Timothy 4:1 that "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,". So there are different kinds of doctrine including some that come from demons and are born of deceit. So how do we distinguish good and bad doctrine? The apostle Paul in his instructions to Titus sets forth a number of qualifications for a bishop. One of those is that a bishop must "hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it. "

I like Paul's advice to the church in Rome in how to handle the conflict of bad doctrine. He says in Romans 16:17: I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them.

So the next time you run into someone who is stirring the pot and creating dissension by teaching someone bad doctrine...avoid them! And, if you have need to confront someone, grab an elder to go with you.