I just have to say it straight away: there are many false teachings in the church today. Sadly, false teachings are everywhere and this post will look at the 10 common false teachings found in many evangelical churches today.
I’m not only talking about the blatant cults like Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses you may be aware of. I’m talking about the ones that may be sitting right next to you in church or the ones you may be in yourself unknowingly.
The Bible warns us constantly about false prophets and teachers who will come into the church to try and lead us astray (Matt 7:15). I know these people mean well, but they don’t know what they are doing.
They think they are helping God, when in fact they are leading people astray and into deception and swift destruction with their heresy (Rom 16:17-18).
I can guarantee you that if you ask 10 Christians what their biggest pet peeve is about their local church; at least 9 of them will say something along the lines of false teachings. And they are right! There are a lot of false teachings out there today.
In this article, I want to reveal some of the 10 most common false teachings in the church today, things that most people would consider Christian but which actually contradict the Word of God by adding or taking away from it.
See Also: 10 Signs Of False Doctrines [To Be On The Lookout For.]
10 Common False Teachings To Avoid.
Below are the 10 common false teachings you need to be aware of so that you don’t endanger your salvation or wreck your Christian faith built on sound doctrine.
- Jesus Christ Isn’t Divine.
- No One Can Be Holy.
- You Can’t Be Sure Of Your Salvation.
- There Is No Hell.
- The Prosperity Gospel.
- Once Saved Always Saved.
- All Religions Are Basically The Same.
- Universalism.
- Salvation By Works.
- There Is No Trinity.
1. Jesus Christ Isn’t Divine.
There are many false teachers and some false prophets who teach that Jesus Christ isn’t divine and that was just a human being or prophet like everyone else when John 14:7, 20:24-29 proves otherwise.
Denying that Jesus is God is one of the main ways Christianity differs from other false religions. The Bible teaches that He is God, but many people disagree with that basic truth about who the Lord Jesus Christ is and believe Jesus was just a great teacher or prophet.
Sadly, the false teaching and doctrine that Jesus Christ isn’t God are also common in some supposedly Christian denominations today which are just religious cults busy deceiving their followers with their destructive heresies.
2. No One Can Be Holy.
This is another false teaching and false doctrine that is taught by many false teachers in many churches today when God’s word is clear both in the old testament (Leviticus 20:26) and the new testament (1 Thessalonians 4:7) that God calls us to holiness.
A false teacher who teaches the false doctrine that you can’t be holy do so because they haven’t yet experienced the new birth that comes with genuine salvation that brings about the new nature of Christ in a believer to enable them to live a holy life that’s free from sin.
It’s this new nature of Christ that false teachers teaching the false doctrine of no one can live a holy life that is absent in them which is why they say you can’t be holy as they have failed to be holy themselves.
See Also. 10 Major Reasons Why Is It Difficult To Live A Holy Life.
3. You Can’t Be Sure Of Your Salvation.
Any false teacher or false prophet telling you that you can’t be sure of your salvation is lying to you because we are told in Romans 8:16 that you can be sure of your salvation as the Holy Spirit will bear witness that you are truly God’s Child if you are truly saved of course.
False teachers who claim you can’t be sure of your salvation and eternal life when Jesus Christ promises otherwise, lack understanding and don’t rightly divide the truth of God’s word.
Don’t listen to any false teacher who tells you that you can’t be sure of your salvation as you can know that you are truly saved as we saw in the above bible verse in Romans as God’s word teaches the doctrine of the assurance of salvation.
See Also: Can A Person Be Saved And Not Know It? [+ Sermon].
4. There Is No Hell.
Believe it or not, the false doctrine that there is no hell and that God is too loving to send anyone to hell is common more than you think when God’s word proves otherwise in Psalms 9:17 and Matthews 25:26.
False teachers who teach the doctrine of no hell forget that God is love as well as just and that He can’t let sin go unpunished. No wonder Hebrews 12:29 tells us that God is a consuming fire.
Any false teacher telling you that there is no hell is lying to you and you must avoid them at all costs and I am sure you have come across such religious cults that teach that there is no hell.
5. The Prosperity Gospel.
The prosperity gospel is a false teaching that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It holds that if you make God your number one priority, He will bless you with health and wealth.
As a result, many churches that teach this false doctrine have become very wealthy, while the poor parishioners who faithfully attend church remain poor. Unfortunately, this false teaching conveniently ignores the fact that Jesus was homeless and poor all His life.
There’s no doubt that God wants to bless us with good things (Deuteronomy 8:18) but we need to be careful not to confuse material blessings with spiritual blessings and forget that our real treasures are in heaven and not on earth.
6. Once Saved Always Saved.
This is another false doctrine and false teaching that is common in some Christian dominations and churches. It assumes that once you accept Christ as your Savior, you are guaranteed a place in heaven no matter what you do after you profess your faith in Him.
This false doctrine of eternal security has no scriptural grounding or truth to it whatsoever because Hebrews 10:39 clearly tells that it’s possible to fall away from the grace and faith you once had and that God has no pleasure in those who draw back to perdition.
The doctrine of eternal security comes from John Calvin who stated that you cannot lose your salvation even if you continue in sin after you repent and this false belief or doctrine is nothing but a license to sin, period.
7. All Religions Are Basically The Same.
I am sure you have come across people even some false teachers who claim that all religions are the same and that there are many ways to heaven and to find the truth.
But these false teachers teaching that all religions are the same and that they all lead to the same place forget the words of Jesus Chris He said in John 14:6 that only He’s the way, the truth, and the life and that none can come to the Father except by Him.
You must understand that not all religions are the same and that only Christ Jesus Can grant you eternal life and not the false religions of this world Satan has put in place with the sole purpose of leading as many as possible away from the one true God.
8. Universalism.
This false teaching or false doctrine found in some churches or denominations assumes that everyone whether they accepted Jesus Christ or not as their personal Lord and Savior will be saved in the end and that no one will go to hell.
But this false doctrine of universalism is found nowhere in the scripture but just a mere doctrine of men as God’s word says that not everyone will be saved as Matthews 7:13, 14 tells us which indicates only a few will be saved and enter heaven.
You must remember that God can’t false salvation on you if you don’t want to be saved because if that was the case, God will be violating your free will and this is why the doctrine of universalism is a false gospel you must not believe in at all.
9. Salvation By Works.
There is also another false gospel or teaching that you must be aware of as a believer in case you are not and that it’s this false belief that you can earn your salvation by good works or by simply being a good person which we are not (Psalms 14:1-3).
This false teaching of work-based salvation has become commonplace in the Christian church today forgetting what Ephesians 2:8, 9 tells us we are only saved by grace through faith and not by works lest anyone should boast.
You must understand that you can’t earn your salvation or buy your ticket to heaven by your good works because they will never be good enough. Only the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, not your good works can grant you salvation.
See Also: 7 Reasons Why Good Works Cannot Save Us (+Sermon).
10. There Is No Trinity.
Last but not least, another false teaching that is common in many Christian Churches is that there is no trinity and that the trinity doctrine is false with no grounding in the scripture.
However, God’s word clearly says in 1 John 5:7 that three witnesses bear record in heaven which are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that all these three are one.
Therefore, anyone telling you that the trinity doctrine is false lacks a complete understanding of the scriptures and is in error. If you come across such people, just refute their false doctrine of no trinity with the above bible verse.
Last Words.
The above 10 common false teachings in many evangelical churches today you have just read must be a wake-up call for you as a true believer and put you in prayer so that you don’t get deceived by them. In closing, if you found this post beneficial, let me know in the comments below along with any questions you might have. Stay blessed and don’t forget to share.
Sharing is caring.
To many dead churches in the world. They all preach feel good Christianity. Feel good without doing good. To many tap dancers and tip toeing pastors in the pulpits. Wake up church time is quickly running out and the trumpet is about to sound. Time is short so get busy saving all who will be saved.
Thanks for your input. Indeed a lot needs to change in the church before it’s too late.
I love ❤️ this, I can’t help but to say Amen it’s sad that preachers have forgotten the reason of why they evangelize. I attend a mega church in Atlanta and I can see some of the characteristics of my preacher on the check list. I guess I’ll be the next lady to walk out on a service.♀️
Glad you found this post a blessing to you. God bless.
you’ve misinterpreted Hebrews 10:39.
this was written Jewish Christian wanting to return to the law of Judaism.
there is a big difference between apostasy and backsliding.
Are you a Calvinist? Thanks
This is a misinterpretation of Hebrews 10:39. Jesus died on the cross for all sins past, present, and future. The key is whether or not someone has genuine faith in Christ. James 2:26 states that faith apart from works is dead. It means genuine faith will produce spiritual fruit. Also, once you have been saved and receive the Holy Spirit, you have been given a promise. Ephesians 1:13-14 states “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Once you receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, God would be made a liar if it could then be taken away from you. I’m only saying this to help bring clarity and I truly hope this helps you. You are not in danger of losing your salvation if you truly repented as a sinner and believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that God raised him from the dead on the 3rd day. Exegesis is important when it comes to understanding certain verses of scripture.
Thanks for your contribution but I think you have it mixed up as well and I perceive you are calvinist.
There are many who have and will turn from Christianity after being a Christian for many years. Plus, there are those that live as a believer, but still carry hatred in their heart/unforgiveness/pride in their heart. We are told in the Scripture, that they will not see the Kingdom of God.
Well-said.
Halleaujha,i have got it i need more teachings
Glad you found this post a blessing to you. God bless.
God bless your ministry for the insight into some of this selt- impose pastors who lack the knowledge of the scriptures to teach their members
God bless you too, bro and glad you found this post a blessing to you. GODbless.
That’s good to hear.
”There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
Romans 8:1-39 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.8.1-39.ESV
All of this and many other verses tell that God has saved us eternally because of Gods Love of Sinners Called his Ch. the Birth can not be done just as our first birth! God died eternally for “our sins” to be right before Him. Jude’s never had salvation and God used him for his purpose. He didn’t lose salvation, he was never saved in the first place. He saw and was used by Jesus and he kiss Christ that led to Jesus death on a cross for us.
I ask you all to pray about this truth. All the other 9 truths are true, God calls his chosen child to new life in him. Just a short I heard John 3:16 and God broke my heart and that’s all I knew then. We in Christ will be in Heaven entity with him. The theft on the cross was told by Jesus today you will be in Heaven with Him. We share the Good News of his Salvation to bring the born again to Paradise with ou Lord and Savior Jesus.
God Bless you.
Thanks for your contribution. God bless.
The three that bear witness, according to 1 John 5:7-8, is not Father, Son and Holy Spirit; but it is The Spirit, the water, and the blood.
Matthew 28:18-20, gives the reference to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Thanks for your input. God bless.
Jesus was not poor. They even carried a money box that Judas kept the watchful eye over and tipped his hand into. His garments that were upon him when he died, were gambled for by the Roman soldiers. Who would do that for a poor man’s clothes? Nowhere does it say that Jesus was poor or homeless. Granted, he stayed with people but because he was always on the road. He didn’t have a home because He couldn’t have a home, but did not have a home because He chose to not have a home. I believe in the principle, which is a biblical principle, of sowing and reaping. Sow sparingly and you will reap sparingly; sow bountifully and you will reap bountifully. This is Scriptural.
Well-said and thanks for your input.