Hiawatha church of Christ

Within the previous two articles, we examined two red flags to be mindful of when it comes to identifying false doctrine. The first red flag to be aware of is when the word of God is undermined. The second, is when God’s love is undermined. In our final article on this subject, we will identify the third red flag we must not overlook. That is receiving a promise, God did not make. For the third red flag we return to the Garden of Eden. The devil is convincing Eve to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He said, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5). God actually said that the day they eat of the tree will be the day they die. The concept of becoming wise like God sounded good but was not according to God’s word. The bible is filled with such examples. False prophets have often promised good when God was pronouncing judgment. During Jeremiah’s day the false prophets state...

  When it comes to false doctrine being proclaimed, there are several red flags to be watchful for. The devil himself exemplifies each of them. In the last article we observed the devil discrediting the word of God. God said that Adam and Eve would die if they partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The devil said to Eve that she would not die. Therefore, the first red flag to be aware of is discrediting the word of God. We will observe in this article the next words that the devil spoke to Eve. He said, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened…” (Genesis 3:5a).   The second red flag is the undermining of God’s love. In a sense, the devil was declaring to Eve that God was holding her back. Specifically, He was holding her back from the knowledge she would gain from her eyes being opened. Note the latter part of verse five. “…and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate…” In a few short words, the devil ma...

  Paul warned the Ephesian elders that after his departure savage wolves would come into their midst. These wolves would draw men after themselves. Then he stated to them, “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:31) Paul desired the church to remain faithful to God. The enemy is the wolves that would come in and deceive them. Therefore, he stated to them to be watchful. This message still carries with it great weight for you and me today. We must be no less watchful when it comes to false doctrine. To be watchful, we must be aware of the red flags of false teaching. False doctrine often begins with the same strategy of the devil. The first red flag is seen when the word of God is either discredited or undermined. Note a very familiar passage of Scripture. “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...

  Everyone struggles with something. This is not limited by a person’s status in life, his personal financial situation, or his educational level. Problems affect everyone straight across the board. As we consider all the problems we have ever been faced with, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest. That is the problem of sin itself. Think about it for a moment. Every other problem we deal with is limited to the realms of this life. If the problem of sin is not dealt with in this life, the consequences carry forth into eternity (Revelation 21:8). Therefore, sin is by far man’s greatest trouble. The good news is that sin has a cure. That cure is found only in the blood of Christ. Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption though His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7). This redemption is only available through Jesus. Peter stated, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given...