Deprogramming False Doctrine

Finding a good church is hard. Most people looking for a church these days desire one that’s welcoming with a genuine community atmosphere, authentic leaders, music that resonates, engaging family and youth programs, is not too far of a drive, and has services at convenient times. But above all these factors, many newcomers prioritize whether the teaching is accurate, understandable, and relevant to their lives. Preaching is one of the highest factors affecting whether someone decides to call a local church their home or move on to the next one down the street.

This task was, to some degree, much easier in the past based largely on a church’s denominational affiliation. The pastor’s theology and preaching style could generally be anticipated simply based on the church’s alignment with that of the denomination. Today, however, the landscape is far more complex, as growing numbers of congregations drift and embrace teachings that would be considered false doctrine, or even heresy. Unfortunately, as biblical and theological literacy continues to decline among the general population, many professing believers, though sincere, lack the ability to recognize churches steeped in erroneous teaching.

As a result, you will likely encounter heartfelt Christians who have adopted beliefs influenced by false teaching without them realizing it. You may speak with a brother or sister in Christ who believes that hell is not eternal, that all people will eventually be saved, that God’s primary concern is simply that people be nice and fair, or that He guarantees health and prosperity to those with enough faith.

Recognizing the Danger of False Teaching
The problem of false teaching is hardly a new phenomenon. It has long existed ever since the days of the apostles. New Testament authors repeatedly warn against deceptive doctrine and false teachers. Peter predicted the rise of false teachers bringing destructive heresies into the church (2 Pe. 2:1-2), John elevated the importance of testing the spirits of those claiming to be from God (1 Jn. 4:1, Re. 2:2), and Paul forewarned about those who preach a different Gospel and another Jesus (2 Co. 1-15, Ga. 1:6-8). Since the very beginning of the church, it’s been necessary for believers to recognize truth, confront error, and offer guidance to those who have been led astray.

Knowing this, it’s important to realize that not every doctrinal error is the same. Some are more severe than others. Christians have long distinguished between the core doctrines that undergird the faith and secondary issues over which disagreement may exist between faithful believers. Debate about the timing of the rapture is completely different than denying the deity of Jesus. While all heresy is false doctrine, not all false doctrine rises to the level of heresy. Some doctrinal errors are serious but generally stop short of placing a person outside the historic boundaries of the Christian faith.

Recognizing these differences is essential because they shape how we respond to those whose theological views are skewed. Approaching someone who has a minor misunderstanding of the Bible to offer clarification will look very different from conversing with someone who denies Jesus or rejects the Gospel outright. So how should a Biblically informed Christian help someone who has embraced false teaching? I’m so glad you asked! Rather than trying to win an argument, the goal of every believer should always be to guide others towards Biblical truth while preserving established relationships. Proverbs 15:2 tells us that “The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable.” The following principles are intended to help you navigate conversations with fellow believers who have embraced false teaching.

Build Trust Before Correction
Before trying to address any type of theological error, it’s essential to first establish trust with the one to whom you are speaking. When someone knows that you genuinely care about them and have their best interests in mind, they will be much more open to listen and engage in honest dialogue. Without this step, the chances of them reconsidering their beliefs are slim at best. If they suspect you are approaching them with a hidden agenda or simply looking for a debate, they will almost certainly dismiss everything you have to say. So, take the time needed to build a relationship and communicate why the conversation matters to you.

Alongside trust, it is equally important to seek understanding before trying to offer any sort of correction. You cannot agree or disagree with someone unless you actually know what they are saying. What shaped the person’s current beliefs? How did they develop their existing conclusions on theological subjects? Who influenced them, or what passages of Scripture shaped their thinking? Questions like these provide tremendous insight into how they arrived at their present understanding and will help you respond more effectively when offering alternative perspectives that challenge their thinking. Knowing the rationale for why someone believes the things they do will help them to feel heard as opposed to confronted. Asking questions helps others to see that you have a genuine interest in them; they aren’t just being ambushed about their viewpoints. Nobody likes that! So, put in the effort to first understand where someone is coming from before attempting to change their mind.

Let Scripture Be the Foundation
Above all else, any discussion about theology must be anchored in Scripture. Without a Biblical foundation, disagreement quickly becomes a matter of opinion rather than seeking truth. Quite often, doctrinal error results from misunderstanding God’s Word, reading personal assumptions into a passage, or failing to consider both the immediate and broader context of Scripture. This highlights the importance of how one studies the Bible. When approaching a passage, believers should seek to observe what the text says, interpret what it means, and then apply it to life, in that order. Careful observation leads to proper interpretation, and proper interpretation leads to faithful application. Though a Biblical text may have many different applications, it has only one intended meaning. Our task as disciples is to discern that intended meaning as communicated by the Biblical author. This requires studying God’s Word through the lens of literal interpretation, accounting for context, history, culture, genre, and consistency with the whole counsel of Scripture rather than cherry picking isolated verses. Doing so helps guard against doctrinal error and keeps us from drawing conclusions the text itself does not support. 

Keep the Focus on Essential Truths
Another very important consideration is distinguishing between core Christian doctrines and secondary issues. A disagreement with another believer does not automatically mean they have embraced false teaching. Strong differences of opinion often exist regarding subjects such as spiritual gifts, baptism, and communion, yet many of these views still fall within the boundaries of historic Christian orthodoxy. Some doctrines are non-negotiable because they define the Christian faith itself, while other topics, though important, are not matters of salvation.

For this reason, it is wise to keep the focus on Jesus. Many serious theological errors ultimately stem from misunderstanding the person and work of Christ. At the same time, believers should remember that faithful Christians can disagree on secondary matters while still maintaining fellowship and unity. Respectful dialogue that examines and tests beliefs against Scripture is both healthy and necessary. Ultimately, lasting correction is not accomplished through clever debate or forceful persuasion, but through patiently and lovingly bringing people face-to-face with the truth of God’s Word.

Respond with Humility and Patience
Lastly, approach conversations about theological error with humility and self-awareness. No believer possesses perfect knowledge, and even those who are well-grounded in Scripture can overlook important details or encounter perspectives they have never carefully considered. Because deeply held beliefs are often sensitive and personal, correction should always be offered with tact, respect, and sincere love. At the same time, each of us should maintain an attitude of teachability. Growing in Biblical knowledge is a lifelong pursuit and engaging with different theological viewpoints, even those you ultimately reject, can sharpen your understanding of God’s Word and strengthen your ability to communicate effectively.

If you find that the person with whom you are speaking is firmly committed to their views and unwilling to consider a different perspective, even when presented with Scripture, do not be discouraged. Most people do not arrive at their beliefs overnight, and changing deeply held convictions often takes time. In these cases, pray that the Holy Spirit would help illuminate the truth of God’s Word and bring clarity to their understanding. Rest in the knowledge that ultimately, God is the One who changes hearts and opens minds to the truth. Also remember that you are not responsible for changing someone’s convictions in a single conversation. Depending on their willingness, ongoing dialogue may, over time, bear fruit. Continue speaking truth in love, trust the Lord with the results, and remain patient as He works in His timing.

We know false teaching will continue to spread until Jesus returns (2 Ti. 4:3-4). For that reason, believers must remain committed to “accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Ti. 2:15) and have both the privilege and responsibility of helping others learn to do the same. In our world filled with theological confusion, each of us has an opportunity to know the truth, live the truth, and help others come to a more accurate understanding of the truth.