Doctrines of Demons

[civic]

In many places, Scripture warns us against false doctrine. One such place is 1 Timothy 4:1: “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (NASB). The KJV words it as “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” A doctrine is a teaching or a set of principles. The “doctrines of demons,” then, are things that demons teach.

There can be good and bad doctrines. The word doctrine can refer to the biblical teachings of a church or a pastor. Or, in the case of 1 Timothy 4:1, the ungodly teachings of Satan. Those who follow the doctrines of demons “will fall away from the faith.” That is, heeding the doctrine of demons is a serious matter because it involves a departure from the truth of Christ’s gospel.

How are the doctrines of demons promulgated? They are delivered through human instructors: “Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). These false teachers are hypocritical; that is, their lives do not evidence the holiness they seemingly espouse. They are liars; that is, they deal in falsehood and knowingly lead others into apostasy. And they are beyond the reach of conscience; that is, they have found a way, in their own minds, to justify their lies. These false teachers may be personable, charming, and persuasive, but they do not receive their message from the Holy Spirit; rather, they spout the suggestions of evil spirits, whose work it is to lead people astray.

In the Garden of Eden, Eve encountered the doctrines of demons as the serpent spoke to her: “He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’” (Genesis 3:1). At the beginning of the conversation, Satan questioned the teaching of God, and, as they continued to talk, he substituted his own teaching for God’s. Satan has continued to use deception, doubt, and subtlety to lead people astray. Satan is the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44), and the doctrines taught by his demons through the agency of willing human accomplices continue to separate people from God and His blessing.

Satan knows how to manipulate us, and that is why the doctrines of demons are so effective. We can identify the doctrines of demons by immersing ourselves in the truth. We must read and study our Bibles. When we know what God says on any given subject, then any deviation from that teaching will send up a red flag. When we are in tune with God’s Word, aberrations from that keynote will ring hollow and off-key.got ?'s

hope this helps !!!

 

[civic]

What is false doctrine ?

Doctrine is “a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true.” Biblical doctrine refers to teachings that align with the revealed Word of God, the Bible. False doctrine is any idea that adds to, takes away from, contradicts, or nullifies the doctrine given in God’s Word. For example, any teaching about Jesus that denies His virgin birth is a false doctrine, because it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture (Matthew 1:18).

As early as the first century AD, false doctrine was already infiltrating the church, and many of the letters in the New Testament were written to address those errors (Galatians 1:6–9; Colossians 2:20–23; Titus 1:10–11). Paul exhorted his protégé Timothy to guard against those who were peddling heresies and confusing the flock: “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing” (1 Timothy 6:3–4).

As followers of Christ, we have no excuse for remaining ignorant of theology because we have the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) available to us—the Bible is complete. As we “study to show ourselves approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15), we are less likely to be taken in by smooth talkers and false prophets. When we know God’s Word, “we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).

It is important to point out the difference between false doctrine and denominational disagreements. Different congregational groups see secondary issues in Scripture differently. These differences are not always due to false doctrine on anyone’s part. Church policies, governmental decisions, style of worship, etc., are all open for discussion, since they are not directly addressed in Scripture. Even those issues that are addressed in Scripture are often debated by equally sincere disciples of Christ. Differences in interpretation or practice do not necessarily qualify as false doctrine, nor should they divide the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10).

False doctrine is that which opposes some fundamental truth or that which is necessary for salvation. The following are some examples of false doctrine:

• The erasing of hell. The Bible describes hell as a real place of eternal torment, the destination for every unregenerate soul (Revelation 20:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). A denial of hell directly contradicts Jesus’ own words (Matthew 10:28; 25:46) and is therefore a false doctrine.

• The idea that there are “many paths to God.” This philosophy has become popular recently under the guise of tolerance. This false doctrine claims that, since God is love, He will accept any religious effort as long as the practitioner is sincere. Such relativism flies in the face of the entire Bible and effectively eliminates any need for the Son of God to take on flesh and be crucified for us (Jeremiah 12:17; John 3:15–18). It also contradicts Jesus’ direct words that He is the only way to God (John 14:6).

• Any teaching that redefines the person of Jesus Christ. Doctrine that denies the deity of Christ, the virgin birth, His sinless nature, His actual death, or His physical resurrection is false doctrine. A group’s errant Christology readily identifies it as a sect or cult that may claim to be Christian but is actually teaching false doctrine. Even many mainline denominations have begun the rapid slide into apostasy by declaring that they no longer hold to a literal interpretation of Scripture or the deity of Christ. First John 4:1–3 makes it clear that a denial of biblical Christology is “anti-Christ.” Jesus described false teachers within the church as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15).

• Teaching that adds human religious works to Christ’s finished work on the cross as necessary ingredients for salvation. This teaching may pay lip service to salvation by faith alone but insists that a religious ritual (such as water baptism) is salvific. Some groups even legislate hairstyles, clothing options, and food consumption. Romans 11:6 warns against attempts to mix grace with works. Ephesians 2:8–9 says we are saved by the grace of God, through faith, and nothing we do can add to or take away from it. Galatians 1:6–9 pronounces a curse on anyone who changes the good news of salvation by grace.

• The teaching that presents grace as a license to sin. Sometimes called “easy-believism,” this false doctrine implies that all one must do for right standing with God is to believe the facts about Jesus, pray a prayer at some point, and then resume control of one’s life with the assurance of heaven at the end. Paul dealt with this thinking in Romans 6. In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus warned those who adopt this doctrine that they did not know Him at all. Second Corinthians 5:17 states that those who are “in Christ” become “new creatures.” That transformation, in response to a believer’s faith in Christ, changes the outward behaviors. To know and love Christ is to obey Him (Luke 6:46).

Satan has been confusing and perverting the Word of God since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1–4; Matthew 4:6). False teachers, the servants of Satan, try to appear as “servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15), but they will be known by their fruits (Matthew 7:16). A charlatan promoting false doctrine will show signs of pride, greed, and rebellion (see Jude 1:11) and will often promote or engage in sexual immorality (2 Peter 2:14; Revelation 2:20).

We are wise to recognize how vulnerable we are to heresy and make it our habit to do as the Bereans did in Acts 17:11: “they . . . examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” When we make it our goal to follow the lead of the first church, we will go far in avoiding the pitfalls of false doctrine. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Such devotion will protect us and ensure that we are on the path Jesus set for us. got ?'s

hope this helps !!!

 

[civic]

Biblical Doctrine- the solution

A doctrine can only be considered truly biblical when it is explicitly taught in the Bible. An issue could be unbiblical (opposed to the teachings of the Bible), extra-biblical (outside of or not mentioned in the Bible), biblically based (connected to the teachings of the Bible), or biblical.

An unbiblical doctrine is any teaching that stands opposed to the Bible’s clear teaching. For example, a belief that Jesus sinned is unbiblical. It stands in direct contrast to what the Bible teaches in many places, including Hebrews 4:15: “We have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”

An extra-biblical doctrine would be any teaching that is not directly taught in the Bible. It can be either good or bad. For example, voting in a democratic election is a positive practice, but it is not explicitly commanded in the Bible. To observe certain holidays is often neither good nor bad: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind” (Romans 14:5). Any teaching about the observance of Lent, for example, is extra-biblical.

Other teachings can be based on biblical principles, yet not directly taught in the Bible. For example, smoking is never mentioned in the Bible. Yet we can assert that the practice should be avoided, based on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you. . . . You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” When a biblical principle applies, we can confidently teach it as a biblically based doctrine.

Biblical doctrines, then, are teachings explicitly taught in the Bible. Examples of these include God’s creation of the heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1), the sinfulness of all people (Romans 3), the virgin birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:20-25; Luke 1:26-38), the physical death and literal resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-11), salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), the inspiration of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and many others.

Problems occur when people confuse these categories. For example, to teach that the virgin birth is an optional doctrine that Christians are free to believe or not believe is to reject a core teaching of the Bible. It presents a biblical doctrine as non-essential. Then there are those who present extra-biblical teachings as if they were biblical doctrines. A person’s opinions and preferences are given the weight of God’s law; this happens sometimes in matters of clothing, music style, and food choice. When we “teach as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7), we become like the Pharisees whom Jesus strongly condemned.

Our goal must be to speak clearly and firmly when Scripture is plain. In extra-biblical matters, we must be careful to avoid dogmatism. As many have said, in the essentials unity; in the non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity.got ?'s

hope this helps !!!

 

[Grace ambassador]

Our goal must be to speak clearly and firmly when Scripture is plain. In extra-biblical matters, we must be careful to avoid dogmatism. As many have said, in the essentials unity; in the non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity.got ?'s

Precious friend, thanks. Yes, Totally agree "...in all things, love!"

Now, concerning the 'essentials/unity' and 'non-essentials/diversity',
Is this where "the rubber meets the road"?:

"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:"​

(Titus 2:1 AV cp "Same mind And judgment!" 1 Corinthians 1:10 AV)​

​

Is water baptism a "biblical/essential matter" to be dogmatic about?:

Christian baptism is one of two ordinances that Jesus instituted for the church

1) Is water baptism Biblically 'essential (necessary)' for 'salvation'?

Of course, as pointed out:​

Biblical doctrines, then, are teachings explicitly taught in the Bible. Example... salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9)​

These "Five Solas" for 'salvation'...:

"...five fundamental principles of the Reformation that distinguished the Reformers from the teachings of Rome. They include sola scriptura (Scripture alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone).".ask.ai

...have always been troublesome for me, as this is improper 'grammar', Correct?
How about This One 'Alone' = Better grammar, eh?:

"Salvation, According To The Scriptures, In Christ, By 'Grace Through faith', For The Glory of God"
|_ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alone! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _|

No 'water' for salvation, Correct?

2) Now, on the other hand, about the 'essential?' water 'dogmatism', I perceive three choices:

A)ssert that the Previous 'Essential' [ covenant/law ] Doctrine of John the baptizer,​

Christ [ on the earth ], and Peter that water was For remission of sins/induction​

into Israeli "priesthood!"...:​

​

(Matthew_3:5-6; Mark_1:4; Luke_3:3; John_1:31; Luke 7:29-30; Acts_10:37)​

(Matthew_28:19; Mark_16:16; Acts_2:38, 22:16; Ezekiel_36:25; Isaiah 52:15)​

​

... is still to be dogmatic, for us today, Under Grace?​

​

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From “Things That Differ!” (online):

​

B)elieve/Agree with God as to His Current Biblically [ Christ From Heaven ] Essential​

'Grace Doctrine' of Today Of Only ONE Baptism thus causing 'unity' in the​

Confused and Severely Divided Body Of Christ?​

​

Is this 'essential for unity' and can be dogmatic?​

Or:

C)ombine/homogenize A) + B) into one 'essential'(?) dogmatic doctrine that B) above​

is Incorrect, and that there are "actually Two baptisms" for us today, and the water​

is actually necessary ( not for salvation, A) also Being inCorrect ), but, is actually for​

a "symbolic" ordinance, of which no one can agree as to the "who, what, when,​

where, why, or how", but is necessary [ essential ] for obedience to the faith?​

​

Or, is this in the Confusing category of 'non-essential and just diversity' of​

many 'essential' views/traditions?​

​

Would God Be Pleased with this? Or:​

​

"God is not the author of confusion, but of Peace..." (1Co 14:33 AV)​

​

Just wondering...

Amen.

 

[Frank Russell]

The passage referred to specially speaks of forbidding to marry and setting up dietary laws.

 

[Frank Russell]

Another passage that speaks of demonic wisdom being applied is James Chapter 3. By examining the motives behind a theology via how it is said - one can weed out bad doctrines even if they do quote the bible.

 

[Frank Russell]

In the wilderness or desert where Jesus was tempted three times by the devil, the devil quoted scripture to him.

A lot of lessons to be learned from this fact alone.

 

[Frank Russell]

Peter almost immediately after being called a chip off the old block for the saying "You are the Christ, the son of the living God" .. Jesus rebukes the devil because Peter just wanted the things of mankind and not of God.

Thought patterns are like that. We must be discerning.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

Biblical Doctrine- the solution

A doctrine can only be considered truly biblical when it is explicitly taught in the Bible. An issue could be unbiblical (opposed to the teachings of the Bible), extra-biblical (outside of or not mentioned in the Bible), biblically based (connected to the teachings of the Bible), or biblical.

An unbiblical doctrine is any teaching that stands opposed to the Bible’s clear teaching. For example, a belief that Jesus sinned is unbiblical. It stands in direct contrast to what the Bible teaches in many places, including Hebrews 4:15: “We have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”

An extra-biblical doctrine would be any teaching that is not directly taught in the Bible. It can be either good or bad. For example, voting in a democratic election is a positive practice, but it is not explicitly commanded in the Bible. To observe certain holidays is often neither good nor bad: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind” (Romans 14:5). Any teaching about the observance of Lent, for example, is extra-biblical.

Other teachings can be based on biblical principles, yet not directly taught in the Bible. For example, smoking is never mentioned in the Bible. Yet we can assert that the practice should be avoided, based on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you. . . . You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” When a biblical principle applies, we can confidently teach it as a biblically based doctrine.

Biblical doctrines, then, are teachings explicitly taught in the Bible. Examples of these include God’s creation of the heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1), the sinfulness of all people (Romans 3), the virgin birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:20-25; Luke 1:26-38), the physical death and literal resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-11), salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), the inspiration of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and many others.

Problems occur when people confuse these categories. For example, to teach that the virgin birth is an optional doctrine that Christians are free to believe or not believe is to reject a core teaching of the Bible. It presents a biblical doctrine as non-essential. Then there are those who present extra-biblical teachings as if they were biblical doctrines. A person’s opinions and preferences are given the weight of God’s law; this happens sometimes in matters of clothing, music style, and food choice. When we “teach as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7), we become like the Pharisees whom Jesus strongly condemned.

Our goal must be to speak clearly and firmly when Scripture is plain. In extra-biblical matters, we must be careful to avoid dogmatism. As many have said, in the essentials unity; in the non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity.got ?'s

hope this helps !!!

Well said and the bases were all covered.
So let us now examine ourselves in our beliefs, testing them against scripture to be verified or tossed away

 

[civic]

Well said and the bases were all covered.
So let us now examine ourselves in our beliefs, testing them against scripture to be verified or tossed away

Amen !

 

[dwight92070]

Another example of making non-essentials, essential or salvific is the King James only crowd. Or the sabbath - keeping crowd. Or the Torah observant crowd. Or as you stated, the baptism saves crowd. Or how about the LGTBQ or TRANS inclusion crowd?

 

[Complete]

Hello @civic,

I am in agreement with you on all points but one, and that is on the doctrine concerning Hell. This I have studied in depth on the basis that the root meaning of the middle English word Hell, that the translators used to translate the Hebrew and Greek words, Sheol, Hades, Tartaroo and Gehenna, is 'to hide away' or 'the place of the dead', which is the grave, and not a place of eternal conscious punishment which tradition, and Greek philosophy has led so many to believe. With this in mind I looked at every reference to those Hebrew and Greek words, in all their usages, and am sure that the place of the dead, or Hell, is in fact the grave, except in the case of the one reference to Tartarus, which is the place where the spirits or angels which fell in the time prior to the flood are imprisoned. Gehenna also, used by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, although referring to 'the place of the dead', refers specifically to the fires of end time judgement, where the dead, having been raised to judgment and found wanting, are subject to the second death, in the lake of fire.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[civic]

Hello @civic,

I am in agreement with you on all points but one, and that is on the doctrine concerning Hell. This I have studied in depth on the basis that the root meaning of the middle English word Hell, that the translators used to translate the Hebrew and Greek words, Sheol, Hades, Tartaroo and Gehenna, is 'to hide away' or 'the place of the dead', which is the grave, and not a place of eternal conscious punishment which tradition, and Greek philosophy has led so many to believe. With this in mind I looked at every reference to those Hebrew and Greek words, in all their usages, and am sure that the place of the dead, or Hell, is in fact the grave, except in the case of the one reference to Tartarus, which is the place where the spirits or angels which fell in the time prior to the flood are imprisoned. Gehenna also, used by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, although referring to 'the place of the dead', refers specifically to the fires of end time judgement, where the dead, having been raised to judgment and found wanting, are subject to the second death, in the lake of fire.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Do you affirm eternal conscious torment for the wicked in the lake of fire ?

Thanks

 

[Complete]

Do you affirm eternal conscious torment for the wicked in the lake of fire ?

Thanks

Hello @civic,

I believe that the lake of fire, is the 'Gehenna' (Hell) referred to by our Lord, and is therefore, as it's interpretation suggests, 'the place of the dead', the place where the unbelieving dead are finally placed for destruction, including all who are not written in the book of life (Rev. 20:15). I do not believe that the doctrine of eternal conscious punishment is the testimony of Scripture for the unbelieving of mankind. For the wages of sin is death.

The lake of fire is also the final destination of the Devil, the Beast and the False Prophet, and the duration of their punishment is made clear in Revelation 19:20 & 20:10. Death and Hell also are destroyed in the lake of fire (20:14)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris