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 expressly, 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 perpetuated 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 translat ed. 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 nothing 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 salesmen).

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 teaching, 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 Chapter 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 knowl edge. (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 principality and power:..." (Col. 2:3,6,7,9,10)

False Doctrine Practiced Today. Roman Catholics worship 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 attempting 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, without 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 fellowship 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.