Followers of false doctrine

False doctrines have always been coming up, and many times people of God have had to take a stand for the truth. But we are especially warned that in the last days before Jesus returns there will be waves of false doctrines, coming up even in the church (Ac.20:29,30). Let us take a look at the people who are being misled and who happily follow these false teachers.

Jesus said that His sheep would hear His voice and follow Him because they knew His voice, and not follow strangers because they did not recognise their voice (Jn.14:4,5). How is it that many people are following false teachers even while they claim to be following Christ? How is it that when someone brings out a strange teaching many sitting in churches accept it easily without question? How is it that many continue to sit in churches year after year listening to false teaching without realising it?

We can begin to have some idea about this if we understand a clear and profound set of statements that Jesus made. There is no ambiguity about these statements, but because of their clarity that can cut into our heart, many preachers avoid mentioning them in their preaching. "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Mt.7:13,14). Jesus says here that only a few are going to be saved. Preachers would like to give an impression that it is very easy to be saved. Also, many of them would like to improve their numbers by claiming that thousands have been saved. As a result, the true way of salvation is not proclaimed, and people are given false assurances that they have been saved.

When some people listen to false teachings, they do not have the ability to recognise them as being false, because they do not know the right teachings. Is it possible that some do not have the Holy Spirit in them to lead them to the truth (Jn.14:26)? Those who have the Holy Spirit will have the 'anointing' to make them sensitive to the truth so that when they hear something wrong, they can immediately sense that something is wrong (1Jn.2:27). So what does it show when thousands of people follow false teachings and sit in false churches? Many of them are not born again, they do not have the Holy Spirit, they are not Christians (Ro.8:9). Many others are not sensitive to the Holy Spirit because they have been careless towards a holy life.

It is very disturbing to see that many who think they are Christians and feel secure thinking that may not be Christians. May those who read this be prompted to examine themselves and ensure that they are on the genuine way of salvation. May those who preach make the effort to present the Gospel in a pure form so that people can be truly saved. May others who are born again by the grace of God learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to make them holy like Jesus.