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The Harm of False Teaching

by Bryan Gibson

December 3, 2009

Bible teachers, including myself, sure do need to be careful—careful that we teach, not our own wisdom, but the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5), careful that we preach the word, not just what makes people feel better (2 Timothy 4:1-5), careful that we not go astray from the truth on any issue (Galatians 1:6-9). Read very carefully Paul’s warning to Timothy:

“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (NAS—“accurately handling the word of truth”). But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer (NAS—“gangrene). Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some” (2 Timothy 2:14-18).

Several phrases in the above passage indicate the harm that can be done when teachers stray from the truth.

“to the ruin of the hearers”

What a scary thought, that we could actually ruin those who hear our teaching. The goal is to save souls, not ruin them, and it’s only by teaching the truth that we can accomplish that goal (James 1:21; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; John 8:31-32).

“increase to more ungodliness”

There is too much ungodliness already; we sure don’t want to add to it. Only the truth, taught in its fullness, will enable people to “live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12). So let’s teach the truth, even when people desire something else (2 Timothy 4:2-4), because if we don’t, the ungodliness so rampant today is only going to get worse.

“spread like cancer” (or gangrene)

False doctrine spreads rapidly, because it typically appeals to the “flesh” (2 Peter 2:18). What appeals to the flesh, though, is very detrimental to the soul—it eats away at the soul, much like cancer or gangrene eats away at the body. The truth, on the other hand, is “wholesome” or healthy (1 Timothy 6:3). Let’s make sure we give people the proper nourishment (1 Timothy 4:6).

“overthrow the faith of some”

How would you like that on your record when you stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), that you destroyed the faith of some who might otherwise have believed to the saving of their soul (Hebrews 10:39)? The very thought should make us tremble, and more determined than ever to teach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).