How to Respond to False Doctrine

[Soyeong]

Now this isn't meant as an attack, nor even a personal criticism, honestly, and I like what you have said, but I honestly wonder about the trustworthiness of one that would say "I've changed my mind about many issues." That tells me you were either wrong about many issues in the past, or that you are unstable, and change with every wind of doctrine. I don't know you personally, so I am just speaking hypothetically, with no offense intended. I am thinking just intellectually and in general, not emotionally or to be picking on you specifically. I know not everybody is blessed to start of having good teaching, and have to try to overcome some bad teaching. I was blessed to have good teaching from the start, and have rarely had to change my view. Again, no offense intended.

No offense taken, and I agree that changing my mind on many issues could indicate instability, but that needs to be evaluated against both the length of time that this happened and scope of topics. I've been active on online forums for close to 20 years during which I have discussed a very broad range of topics, and I think that someone doing that who didn't change their mind of many topics would indicate something else. Such a person would not be there to interact and learn, but to express their opinion and to be heard, so they would indicate a lack of ability to do an honest evaluation of their own position and the position of others.

I do not think that anyone has a set of beliefs that are 100% accurate, even those who had excellent teachers, so I believe that there are things that I currently hold to be true that are actually false, I just don't know which things those are. If I am wrong about something, then I want to know, but I need to be convinced of why I am wrong and why another position is correct. There is much, much more that I do not know than what I know and there are people who hold positions on issues that I have never even thought about, much less had the time or interest to research enough to take an informed position. I've watched many formal debates and people do not take a position on an issue when they do not think that they have good reasons to hold that position, so I think it is important to try to understand why people think differently than I do and to try consider whether what they say has any merit.

 

[Greg Merrill]

No offense taken, and I agree that changing my mind on many issues could indicate instability, but that needs to be evaluated against both the length of time that this happened and scope of topics. I've been active on online forums for close to 20 years during which I have discussed a very broad range of topics, and I think that someone doing that who didn't change their mind of many topics would indicate something else. Such a person would not be there to interact and learn, but to express their opinion and to be heard, so they would indicate a lack of ability to do an honest evaluation of their own position and the position of others.

I do not think that anyone has a set of beliefs that are 100% accurate, even those who had excellent teachers, so I believe that there are things that I currently hold to be true that are actually false, I just don't know which things those are. If I am wrong about something, then I want to know, but I need to be convinced of why I am wrong and why another position is correct. There is much, much more that I do not know than what I know and there are people who hold positions on issues that I have never even thought about, much less had the time or interest to research enough to take an informed position. I've watched many formal debates and people do not take a position on an issue when they do not think that they have good reasons to hold that position, so I think it is important to try to understand why people think differently than I do and to try consider whether what they say has any merit.

I like everything you say here. Thanks for sharing it with me. I think it will help me to be a little bit more well rounded, and help me to see the bigger picture a little bit better. Thanks again.

 

[Hidden In Him]

it may be hard for Christians to accept this outpouring of the Spirit (if the Rapture hasn't already occurred) where God is using dreams (I think of the reports in the Middle East), unlike most of the time of the Church Age.

Maybe. Kinda depends on the Christian background they were "raised" in, and how their doctrinal views were formed on the matter. I know there are a lot of Baptists who are kinda trained from birth (spiritual birth, that is) to throw a red flag any time anyone starts talking about receiving "visions." In a way, this guardedness can be a good thing, since if everyone were taught to just receive everything they claim "the Lord" said, the Devil would have a field day with it.

But yeah, you also according to the scriptures have to have an open mind to the fact that something might be of God, and not immediately assume "heresy.... deception... child of Beelzebub." Ha! I was Baptist during my spiritual "upbringing" for a while, but also Pentecostal off and on through much of the same period, so they had a way of balancing everything out for me.

I very much have developed the ear to hear the Shepherds voice in the matter now, and I can tell you that when it comes to major, published in book form end-time visions, there is only one author I have encountered who was fraudulent. The rest out there that I have found are all genuine, and the real deal.

But it's long story. One thing I will say about it is that visions and dreams are MUCH more important to the body of Christ than many give them credit for. It was as a result of visions given both to Cornelius and to Peter that launched the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10:3, Acts 10:11). It was also a heavenly vision of God that led to the apostle Paul being particularly blessed with "exceedingly great revelations from God... which no man could utter," playing a part in why he became the greatest teacher of the New Testament era (2 Corinthians 12:1-7).

 

[Greg Merrill]

Maybe. Kinda depends on the Christian background they were "raised" in, and how their doctrinal views were formed on the matter. I know there are a lot of Baptists who are kinda trained from birth (spiritual birth, that is) to throw a red flag any time anyone starts talking about receiving "visions." In a way, this guardedness can be a good thing, since if everyone were taught to just receive everything they claim "the Lord" said, the Devil would have a field day with it.

But yeah, you also according to the scriptures have to have an open mind to the fact that something might be of God, and not immediately assume "heresy.... deception... child of Beelzebub." Ha! I was Baptist during my spiritual "upbringing" for a while, but also Pentecostal off and on through much of the same period, so they had a way of balancing everything out for me.

I very much have developed the ear to hear the Shepherds voice in the matter now, and I can tell you that when it comes to major, published in book form end-time visions, there is only one author I have encountered who was fraudulent. The rest out there that I have found are all genuine, and the real deal.

But it's long story. One thing I will say about it is that visions and dreams are MUCH more important to the body of Christ than many give them credit for. It was as a result of visions given both to Cornelius and to Peter that launched the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10:3, Acts 10:11). It was also a heavenly vision of God that led to the apostle Paul being particularly blessed with "exceedingly great revelations from God... which no man could utter," playing a part in why he became the greatest teacher of the New Testament era (2 Corinthians 12:1-7).

I enjoyed what you have shared here. Thank you. God bless, and may He guide you aright, not to say that is not already doing that.

 

[chihwahli]

Religious talk me? Ow? Jesus wants all His children to do what He does.
Religious talk is , talk, debate, debate, talk and more talk and no action as He is doing.
That is one reason why religion is dead. It is of this world. Religion is not from God. That is why the devil is soo happy why God's children keep debating, keep defending religion. Then hardly any Lam will become a sheep as Jesus and start walking as Jesus is... Because lams are no threat for the devil...

Disciples in Jesus time: that ain't religion, that is living faith in action... Do you agree?
(Bible did not write down that discipleship training changed, we people changed that to religion)

This is not possible......
This is why. .....
You either trust this....
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Or you trust this...
I go to church
I believe there is a god
I believe in the good of people
I believe that God is love and He does not hate .....

Use words like God is love (this is truth) then he does not hate (this is lie)
God hates sin and hates lies.

This one world religious talk you speak of is completely a sign of the anti-christ.

 

[chihwahli]

Jesus said He is the only way to God the Father. So if other say there are many roads. Well, there can be only one conclusion, it is a lie.

The only thing you can do is anchor yourself deep in your Lord Jesus. And pray for chains of lies to be broken in people around us.

Interesting stats and I would say that my informal observations would confirm them. The exclusivity of the Christian faith has been under attack for a long time. It is just part of Satan's ongoing plan to challenge God with, "Did God really say...?"

 

[drayanna]

Religious talk me? Ow? Jesus wants all His children to do what He does.
Religious talk is , talk, debate, debate, talk and more talk and no action as He is doing.
That is one reason why religion is dead. It is of this world. Religion is not from God. That is why the devil is soo happy why God's children keep debating, keep defending religion. Then hardly any Lam will become a sheep as Jesus and start walking as Jesus is... Because lams are no threat for the devil...

Disciples in Jesus time: that ain't religion, that is living faith in action... Do you agree?
(Bible did not write down that discipleship training changed, we people changed that to religion)

I don't think you understand what I am saying.
When you see how Jesus talked to the Jews who came to say they were from the seed of Abraham. Jesus did not say "you can believe what you want, I still love you" he said that I'd they were from Abraham they would not try kill Him. He then refereed them as from the father of lies.
So it's not a debate there is only one way to the Heavenly Father and that is through Jesus Christ and I will not back down from that. I will always shine that light but will not compromise for Jesus made it plan even for the chosen people.
I do get what your saying but I am only a part of the Body of Christ and this means I hear his voice tell me to flee from the evil one

 

[Blade]

Well... "false doctrine". So you see this house.. door is kind of open.. you walk in.. seems allot of people are in there. Now.. if I see error hear error in some post.. I would just share what is written. We forget that ..we all to some degree KNOW we are right..DUH...right? How EASY is it to read the bible and.. we KNOW we understand and HAVE to MAKE SURE they understand the REAL truth! HAHA

So.. I share..try with love...never forcing. Now there are somethings like you said even on this site. If it was some mod or something that has to do with this site.. I would go to the ones that run this site. For in the end.. ALL on this site is under them period. So I dont ever say "so and so said or is doing"...never.. just share in love.

Everything I let in to my house so to speak.. if I am not looking not making sure what goes on.. be it someone else did it said it.. matters not .. TO GOD its my house.. I open the door and I WILL answer to a GOD. And it is far better to learn this here repent here. So always stand up for the word.. yet know you do not have the 100% true gospel.

So..its not my word.. my truth.. its HIS. They dont sin against me. Yet.. let it be written I will stand up for Him.. I will not bow to any man. ...yet I am not here to point out your faults your errors. Only if HE told me to say something.. where I would be apart of.. He is the perfect gentleman. Its when they come to me and then I have the right to speak...love always wins..

 

[Bass4Jesus]

So when we find posts on this website, posts maybe we don't think we necessarily should REPORT, how should we respond? Argue, debate, teach,... ? I would like to hear from you.

Long topic, didn't read all the replies. Maybe someone's suggested this already, but I once saw (here or somewhere else -- can't recall) a post that someone replied to as follows. She provided a link to a response she wrote on her own blog. In other words, her reply on the forum or comments section was just one line: the link. In her reply on her blog, she referenced neither the web site nor the id of the person she was calling out, just his lousy point of view. And boy did she crush it. I thought it was a brilliant tactic.

I miss the Usenet. You could really let someone have it -- right in the neck -- and no one would blink, even if you peppered your posts with the short & nasty words. Karing 'n' Sharing still lived in a distant county; the notion of "uplifting" the Internet (Mencken) hadn't occurred to anyone yet. Back then, "You fool!" and "You idiot!" and "You moron!" were commonplace and expected. Best reply I ever saw to someone who posted something particularly low-IQ in an operating-systems forum was a lift from Dorfmann in "Flight of the Phoenix": "You behave as if stupidity were a virtue." Good thing I didn't have a beverage in my mouth when I saw that, or it would've shot out my nose strong enough to put out a dumpster fire.

 

[redleghunter]

Imagine you are reading a post on CF (Not this one, ), and you start reading some strange stuff, stuff that you have never read in the Bible. It may have a nice sound to it, but it just doesn't seem quite right. It might even be "alluring" or looking like an appealing bait, or appetizer. Then you recognize it. You can almost hear the hiss of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. You know now that this is not the voice of the Spirit, or of Jesus (John 10:27). You could easily just stop reading, and move on to another post, or something else, and that might be the appropriate action for some. But these words on this post that is just not quite right, or no where close to right is still there for others to read.
It reminds me of years ago, while working as a security supervisor at a hotel, of occasionally coming across pornographic magazines left in the hallways. Now I could be tempted to look at them, or I could ignore them, or I could just throw them away. But then others might still find them and fall for/to their destructiveness. As a Christian I developed a plan for finding them in the future. "Find it, fold it, and fling it." Find it, and don't look at the cover and be enticed by that, and then want to see more. NO!!! Fold that magazine in half immediately so as not to see the cover. Then don't just throw it away for someone else to find. Take it to the trash compactor and fling it all the way to the back, and push the button to move it to a place where it will become irretrievable (at least by me and others in the hotel.) Now not everyone has access to a trash compactor, but come up with a similar plan for dealing with your own temptations, something that is practical, workable, and effective.
So when we find posts on this website, posts maybe we don't think we necessarily should REPORT, how should we respond? Argue, debate, teach,... ? I would like to hear from you.

Thought this might help the conversation here:

From a recently released Barna survey:

In partnership with Summit Ministries, Barna conducted a study among practicing Christians in America to gauge how much the tenets of other key worldviews—including new spirituality, secularism, postmodernism and Marxism—have influenced Christians’ beliefs about the way the world is and how it ought to be. Barna’s new research found strong agreement with ideas unique to nonbiblical worldviews among practicing Christians. This widespread influence upon Christian thinking is evident not only among competing worldviews, but even among competing religions; for example, nearly four in 10 (38%) practicing Christians are sympathetic to some Muslim teachings (an aspect of the study Barna will explore elsewhere).

Here are a few notable findings among practicing Christians:

• 61% agree with ideas rooted in New Spirituality.
• 54% resonate with postmodernist views.
• 36% accept ideas associated with Marxism.
• 29% believe ideas based on secularism.

Before diving into the four worldviews, and as illustrated in the charts below, there are a few key demographic themes that emerge from the data. First, Millennials and Gen-Xers, who came of age in aless Christianized context, are, in some cases, up to eight times more likely to accept these views than Boomers and Elders. The same is true of gender; males are generally more open to these worldviews than women, often at a 2:1 ratio. Another trend is that Americans who live in cities, often melting pots of ideas and cultures, are more accepting of these views than those in either suburban or rural areas. And finally, when looking at ethnicity, Americans of color are, in about half of the cases, more likely than white Americans to embrace these worldviews.


More information and charts at the source link below:

https://www.barna.com/research/comp...180602473&mc_cid=d2b24df6dc&mc_eid=04180cc2e2

I think the study explains a lot of what we see in some of these forums.

 

[DutchTears]

Deuteronomy 4
Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female.

Hmm I know this verse isn't actually part of your reply, but I want to ask about your take on Deuteronomy 4.

Deuteronomy was obviously written before Jesus Christ, the image of God (Colossians 1:5). "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

The modern equivalent of carved images = photos, amvs, dolls, animations, gaming characters, right? And there are plenty of movies about Jesus, even statues of Jesus hanging on crucifixes that people bow down to and pray to at church. Do you think this is corrupt?

 

[Greg Merrill]

Hmm I know this verse isn't actually part of your reply, but I want to ask about your take on Deuteronomy 4.

Deuteronomy was obviously written before Jesus Christ, the image of God (Colossians 1:5). "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

The modern equivalent of carved images = photos, amvs, dolls, animations, gaming characters, right? And there are plenty of movies about Jesus, even statues of Jesus hanging on crucifixes that people bow down to and pray to at church. Do you think this is corrupt?

The 2nd commandment (of the 10) in Exodus 20:4-5 and Deuteronomy 5:8-9 speaks of not making any graven images to bow down and worship them. I believe it is OK to make pictures to be used as art or for educational purposes. People that worship them by bowing before them in churches is wrong. These images/movies always fall short of representing God perfectly. I don't worship the Bible, but the God of the Bible, and I stick to it to get the revelation of God to me, not images and movies. Hope this helps.

 

[tturt]

Haven't read every post but did I miss the definition of false doctrine?

So far it looks like it's - my perspective/interpretation of Scripture is the truth; therefore, obviously if yours is different, it's false - doctrine?

 

[Paidiske]

MOD HAT ON
False doctrine may be a problem, ​

but mods know how to respond to persistent broken rules.
This thread will remain closed.​

MOD HAT OFF​