Gnosticism is difficult to define due to its many flavors and interpretations. It is not a separate denomination or religion but a religious philosophy, serving as a framework to explain the nature of God, creation, good and evil, man, and the purpose of life. Gnostics focused exclusively on the inner life of the spirit, distinctly separating it from material life. Some branches of Gnosticism adhered to asceticism, seeking to free the eternal spirit through regimented, plain, and insular lives, while others practiced hedonism, believing that actions with their bodies were irrelevant since only spirit mattered. This philosophy, described as vain or empty deceit, poses a danger by potentially robbing or cheating believers of their faith, hope, understanding of God, relationship with Him, vision, and purpose. The sources of this unsteady philosophy are identified as the traditions of men and the rudiments of the world, referring to demonic powers that shape this cosmos. These powers continually prompt men and women with vain deceits that contradict the truth about God and His purpose for mankind. Humans perpetuate Gnostic myths such as the immortality of the soul, eternal consciousness, progressive revelation, inherent goodness within each person, and the pre-existence and return of souls to heaven. At every turn, Gnosticism aimed to twist the nature of Christ. Various Gnostic beliefs included the idea that Christ entered Jesus at baptism and left before His death, that Jesus did not truly die since death would negate His divinity, that He could not be perfect due to creating matter deemed evil, or that He was a created being. Gnostics often did not accept the Bible as God's inspired revelation, or they equated other ancient, secret writings with Scripture for greater insight. They also supported progressive revelation, suggesting that God continues to reveal His will, often diminishing the importance of Holy Scripture in favor of direct spiritual communication.

An increasing number of movies and books have introduced and emphasized a major heresy known as Gnosticism, which the early church contended with during the first century. Although not in precisely the same form as in the years following Christ's death, there is a resurgence and growing popularity of philosophies associated with Gnosticism. It was the predominant source of heresy when the New Testament was written, with books such as John, I Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians, I and II Timothy, Jude, and I John combating various elements of it. Even the book of Revelation references Gnostic beliefs and practices, mentioning knowing the depths of satan and the Nicolaitans. Gnosticism is not mentioned by name in the Bible, with one possible exception in I Timothy 6:20-21. Modern feminist movements lean heavily on various Gnostic texts like the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Eve, and the Pistis Sophia to substantiate their ideas, promoting concepts such as the divine feminine. These texts are often cited by liberal Christian churches as historical proof of female apostles, supporting arguments for women holding any church position. Gnostic believers practiced equal access, participation, and claims to knowledge, even allocating clerical functions by lot at their ceremonies, which is reflected in the ordination of women and in attitudes that reject the need for authoritative teachers or leaders. Such egalitarian ideas lead to confusion, as doctrine becomes subjected to the lowest common denominator, with individuals often believing they know better or more than the rest of the church and its ministry.

Scholars define Gnosticism as a philosophy originating from Zoroastrianism and Hinduism of Persia and India, brought westward through Alexander the Great's conquests. These Eastern ideas merged with Greek culture, creating a potent blend that influenced both Jews and Christians over time. At its core, Gnosticism embodies a falsely called knowledge, propagated by satan the devil to deceive humanity. Gnostic thought mirrors the deceptive words spoken to Eve, promoting distrust in God by questioning His trustworthiness and the reliability of His Word. Gnostics prioritized experiential knowledge, teachings from elders, and insights from angels, astrology, or alchemy over scriptural foundations. In its essence, Gnosticism revolves around "knowing," often valuing mystical knowledge as the key to eternal life, believing that right interpretation of esoteric sayings could prevent death. This pursuit of knowledge led Gnostics to adopt beliefs and practices not rooted in God's Word, such as observing lucky days with spiritual significance or adhering to manmade regulations and doctrines. The Gnostic dualism of flesh and spirit viewed the flesh as evil, to be escaped, and the spirit as good, with death seen as a liberation of the spirit. Additionally, their antinomian stance rejected standards of conduct that conflicted with their own, favoring personal definitions of righteousness over divine commandments. Gnosticism also fostered a disdain for those deemed less enlightened, placing knowledge and understanding as the highest virtues. This self-centered pursuit of self-knowledge often disregarded the importance of love and outgoing concern, focusing instead on personal spirituality and enlightenment rather than communal bonds or divine guidance.

There exists an ideology known as Gnosticism, which has been set in motion to undermine the path God has chosen for us to become members of His eternal family. Gnosticism, derived from the Greek root meaning to know, posits that the physical universe is evil and corrupt while the spiritual realm is pure and good. This philosophy suggests that a part of God resides in all of mankind, requiring special knowledge, or gnosis, for that part to return to heaven. Historically, Gnosticism is believed by some scholars to have originated in the churches of the first century, though its roots trace back to Greek philosopher Plato and the Hellenists, influencing Jews in Judea under Alexander the Great. Some suspect that it was established by satan after the sin of Adam and Eve, promoting the notion that the physical universe, created by a lesser being than the purest God, renders that being's laws invalid. Wherever Gnosticism appears in Western religions, it fosters the rejection of God's law, a concept known as antinomianism, meaning against law. As a philosophy, Gnosticism has attached itself to numerous religions worldwide, including Eastern ones, and has firmly established influence among most Protestant organizations. It is also noted that the apostle Paul addressed this Gnostic influence in the books of Galatians and Colossians, combating its presence among congregations through Jews who practiced Hellenistic Judaism before joining God's people.

Despite having God's Spirit, some converted to Christianity in the early church refused to abandon Gnostic teachings when confronted by the apostles' truth. They persisted in their polluted decision-making and defiled the church by incorporating Gnostic lies. In the 20th century, when members of the Worldwide Church of God faced massive doctrinal changes, many of which were of Gnostic origin, a pleasant chord was struck in their hearts, and they followed these doctrines out of the church fellowship. Gnostic belief, though of Greek origin, appears to have entered the church through Jews, primarily from the Jerusalem area, upon their conversion to Christianity. Given the Israelites' historical propensity to adopt and adapt pagan religions, and with Greek culture influencing Judea for around 200 years before Christ's death, these converts did not fully disengage from Greek thought. Instead, they continued their studies in it and urged it upon other converts to extend their influence. The failure to reject the lures of Gnosticism tripped up many in the 1st-century church, and its power remained evident in the 20th century, successfully destroying the Worldwide Church of God. The Epistles, especially those of Paul, are filled with warnings against Gnosticism, with mentions also in John and Peter, and significant content in Jude. Early in the church's history, as seen in Acts 6:5, individuals like Nicolas of Antioch, possibly the founder of the Nicolaitans mentioned in Revelation 2, carried strong elements of Gnosticism. The Nicolaitans, though not called Gnostics by themselves, considered themselves Christians while fellowshipping with the church, yet retained Gnostic beliefs. Historical evidence shows numerous Gnostic groups, with notable ones like the Nicolaitans and Simonians, linked to Simon Magus from Acts 8, emerging early in church history. Information from Roman Catholic church fathers between the 2nd and 4th centuries, combined with the 1945 discovery of the Nag Hammadi library in Egypt, provides a clearer picture of Gnostic beliefs. While not all Gnostics followed identical doctrines, common beliefs included the immortality of the soul, the notion of originating from and returning to heaven after death, eternal security, antinomianism, Docetism, and dualism, emphasizing the inner spiritual life and mystical aspects of religion. Docetism specifically held that Jesus and Christ were two beings in one body—Jesus as the material man and Christ as the spiritual—leading to the belief that Jesus, influenced by His Jewish heritage, contaminated some of Christ's teachings, thus supporting antinomian views and rejecting laws deemed too binding. Gnosticism offered a religion without structure, lacking a solid goal or method to shape daily life, leaving individuals in moral limbo. Their focus on inner spirituality, to the exclusion of material conduct, allowed behaviors like adultery or fornication with a clear conscience, as they believed fleshly actions were inconsequential. This belief in indifferency, as noted by church fathers like Hippolytus, Eusebius, and Clement of Alexandria regarding Nicolas, led to practices of promiscuity among some, though Nicolas himself reportedly did not engage in such sins. In contrast to the structured guidance provided by God's law, Gnosticism allowed individuals to set their own standards, rejecting doctrines they found uncomfortable, a practice that persists in modern Christianity through similar principles and doctrines like dispensationalism, which echoes early Gnostic thought.

In his epistles, the apostle John addresses the pervasive threat of false teachings, particularly focusing on Gnosticism, a set of heretical ideas that had infiltrated the true Way. He specifically contested a gnostic belief known as Docetism, which posited that Jesus was merely a physical man temporarily inhabited by a separate spiritual entity, the Christ, which entered Him at baptism and departed before the crucifixion. Gnostics viewed material things, such as human flesh, as defiled and sinful, while considering the spirit pure. They relied on Greek philosophical beliefs to interpret the gospel, rather than aligning their views with its true standard. To them, the concept that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us was incomprehensible, as they could not fathom that God would come in the flesh or could die. Although Gnostics might agree with much of the truth, every form of Gnosticism distorted the true nature of Jesus Christ. Therefore, John emphasizes that anyone denying the incarnation of God into human flesh embodies an anti-Christ spirit, opposing the very purpose of the Messiah's life, ministry, and death.

In the province of Galatia, the church was primarily composed of Gentiles with a history of worshipping pagan deities. The major issue in the Galatian epistle arises from false teachers promoting a different gospel, a perversion of the gospel of Christ. These false teachers were blending elements of Judaism with Gnosticism, a philosophy that viewed everything physical as evil and believed higher spiritual understanding could be achieved through effort. This philosophy was thought to enhance any religion, influencing not only Galatia but also the church in Colossae with strict legalism, a "taste not, touch not" attitude, neglect of the body, worship of angels, and false humility. Despite Gnostic teachings of strict bodily discipline, they sometimes led to a licentious lifestyle, with the belief that actions of the physical body were inconsequential due to its separation from the spirit. Paul warns the Galatians against such teachings, emphasizing that they should not heed even an angel from heaven proclaiming a false gospel.