An increasing number of movies and books have introduced and emphasized a major heresy akin to Gnosticism, which the true church contended with during the first century. Though not in precisely the same form as in the years following Christ's death, there is a resurgence and growing popularity of philosophies related to Gnosticism. This heresy was the predominant source of false doctrine when the New Testament was written, with books such as John, I Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians, I and II Timothy, Jude, and I John all 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, though not explicitly named in the Bible with one possible exception in I Timothy 6:20-21, influences modern ideas, particularly within the feminist movement, which draws on texts like the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Eve, and the Pistis Sophia to support concepts of the divine feminine and female apostles. These texts are used to argue for women holding any church position. Gnostic believers historically practiced equal access, participation, and claims to knowledge, even allocating clerical functions by lot, which some Christians use to justify the belief that authoritative teachers or leaders are unnecessary since all have the Holy Spirit. This leads to confusion as doctrine is reduced to the lowest common denominator, with individuals often believing they know more than the church or its ministry. However, God's pattern is to establish doctrine and leadership through those He chooses. Satan convinces those with Gnostic leanings to disparage the God-ordained roles and hierarchy within the church of God.

In the book of Revelation, a religious personality known as the False Prophet will arise during the end times, deceiving the whole world with miraculous signs. This individual, also called another beast, will perform acts such as calling fire down from heaven and will speak demonic words that lead people to worship the Beast. Inspired by the dragon, the False Prophet will wield immense religious influence, successfully convincing most of the world to commit idolatry. The Bible does not provide the False Prophet's name or the number of his name, but his true nature must be discerned by his fruits, through what he says and does. False prophets, as described in Scripture, are those who speak for another but do so falsely. They may claim to represent God but fail to accurately convey His words, often speaking from their own hearts or under the influence of a demon. Even if a false prophet demonstrates supernatural power or accurately predicts events, he is still false if he leads people away from the true worship of God. Such misrepresentation incurs severe consequences, as seen with the False Prophet in Revelation, who is ultimately thrown into the Lake of Fire. The message of false prophets stands in stark contrast to the call to love God with all heart and soul, to walk after Him, fear Him, keep His commandments, obey His voice, serve Him, and hold fast to Him. False prophets do not uphold God's law or convict people of sin, instead offering false prophecies and delusions that avoid addressing iniquity. They often focus on personal gain, reputation, or power rather than accurately representing God, revealing their true nature through the fruits they produce. False prophets may speak clever words with some truth, but their messages are contrary to God. They do not point people to God or convict them of sin, often directing attention to themselves or to a false god for their own benefit. Their covetousness, presumption, and self-will manifest in a desire for influence and control, unlike true prophets who focus on God's will. The words and fruits of false prophets will ultimately condemn them if they contradict Scripture and God's law, leading people astray from the true path.

False doctrine has been a persistent challenge within the church, with many encountering false teachers and teachings that seek to sway believers from the truth. Numerous attempts have been made to alter established doctrines, with countless proposals submitted to change beliefs, often driven by personal agendas or misunderstandings. These false teachings have led many astray, causing them to stumble over issues such as the calendar, tithing, or the timing of Passover, resulting in division and departure from the faith community. The subtlety of false doctrine is a significant danger, as it can gradually infiltrate and deceive even the faithful, much like the slow decline witnessed in historical church eras where core beliefs were altered under the guise of new understanding. Such deceptions, inspired by satan, can subvert entire organizations that God has used for His work, leading to a church that bears little resemblance to its original form. Spotting false teachers requires patience and discernment, as Jesus Christ teaches that one must evaluate the fruit of a teacher's life and doctrine over time. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit, and thus, the true nature of a teacher will eventually be revealed through their actions and the results of their teachings. Some false teachers are immediately evident through blatant errors, such as denying the Sabbath or promoting distorted views of God's nature, while others are more subtle, taking years to fully manifest their deception. False teachers often disguise themselves as part of the flock, appearing as sheep but inwardly acting as ravenous wolves driven by covetousness and self-gain. Their motivations are not to tend or feed the sheep but to exploit them for personal benefit, whether for power, prestige, or material wealth. Unlike true shepherds who are called by Christ and prioritize the eternal good of the sheep, false shepherds are hirelings who flee from responsibility and compromise the truth for their own safety and advantage. In evaluating teachers, it is crucial to avoid hasty judgments based on minor disagreements or emotional reactions. Time must be given to observe the fruit of their lives and teachings, ensuring that any decision to reject a teacher as false is based on clear evidence of practiced sin or error, rather than rumor or a single mistake. Christ's instruction to show mercy and patience, even to those who err, must guide the approach, balancing judgment with the hope for repentance. The works of the flesh, as outlined in Scripture, serve as clear indicators of a false teacher when practiced consistently, and accusations against an elder must be substantiated by multiple witnesses to avoid unfounded criticism. True shepherds, in contrast, demonstrate a mutual trust with the sheep, leading with a willingness to sacrifice for their well-being, reflecting Christ's own example as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the flock.

The importance of truth in religious doctrine is a weighty matter, as it is easy to fall into tragic flaws by accepting false teachings. The assertion that the Christian God and the Islamic god are one and the same is a profound error, as it presents a god involved in hypocrisy and confusion, which the God of the Bible is not. It is impossible for God to lie, and He is not the author of confusion. The stark differences in doctrines between Christianity and Islam, coupled with their historical conflicts, provide clear evidence that they do not worship the same God. If they were of the same kingdom, it would not stand, yet the Bible declares that God's kingdom will stand forever. This principle carries serious spiritual ramifications for the church. Division and warfare within or between religious groups are evidence that the relationship with God has broken down, and such attitudes and conduct flow from the ruler of this world, not from the Spirit of God. If Christianity and Islam were drawing from the same Spirit of God, they would be of the same mind and teaching, resulting in unity rather than the antagonism and unstable warfare that exists. The evidence suggests that both groups, divided and warring within their own religions, are influenced by the god of this world, not the God of the Bible. False doctrine is a grave danger, often more insidious than visible threats like wars or tribulations. The warning against false teaching was foremost in Jesus Christ's mind when He spoke of end-time perils. These false teachings come not from those claiming to be Christ, but from a stream of teachers who assert that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, yet lead people astray by teaching falsehoods about Him and His way. Such teachings often imply that God's purpose is merely to save people, with little or no responsibility on their part to reciprocate or follow His path. Modern individuals, like Adam and Eve, feel free to alter or reject what God has taught, lacking the loyalty and love that should constrain them to obey Him. This rejection mirrors the end-time prophecy that people will be willingly ignorant of God's word, accepting or rejecting teachings as they see fit, without feeling a responsibility to God. This has led to a multitude of religions and beliefs, as people create their own doctrines, fading God into the background of importance. Among those calling themselves born again Christians, there is a shocking departure from biblical truth. Polls reveal that 26% believe all religions are essentially the same, disregarding the unique way of Christianity. Fifty percent believe that a life of good works alone can lead to heaven, effectively removing the Savior from the equation of salvation. Most staggeringly, 35% do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, a fundamental tenet of faith without which there is no hope or salvation. These individuals are creating their own religions by picking and choosing what to believe, acting on those beliefs in ways that lead them off the path Jesus trod. The ramifications are clear: what we choose to believe directly impacts our actions, and if we do not believe what God teaches, we will not act as sons of God.

False doctrines have profoundly influenced the church since its inception, stemming from ancient philosophies that predate Christ. The teachings of Greek thinkers like Orpheus, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, and Ptolemy introduced erroneous concepts such as evolution, the immortality of the soul, eternal security, purgatory, predestination, reincarnation, astrology, antinomianism, and progressive revelation. These ideas, attractive to human nature, were carried into the church by converts, both Gentile and Jewish, and became embedded in the faith of many, as seen in the struggles addressed in the Epistles. These false teachings often contained distorted elements of biblical truth, making them seem plausible yet fundamentally untrue. For instance, the Greek belief in supernatural demonic powers influencing Earth from the realm between the moon and Earth holds a vague connection to biblical references to satan as the prince of the power of the air, but it wrongly places demons in the heavens rather than on Earth. Similarly, the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, rooted in satan's deception to Adam and Eve that they would not surely die, falsely suggests inherent immortality, contrary to the truth that everlasting life must be given by God. The concept of dualism, another Greek philosophical error, divides the universe into matter and spirit, deeming matter evil and spirit good. This leads to the false notion that the body is temporary and evil, while the soul is immortal and good, resulting in a disregard for physical well-being and sin, as actions of the flesh are seen as inconsequential to the eternal soul. This belief underpins antinomianism, where sin is considered irrelevant, further eroding the importance of resisting worldly ways or striving to know God's truth. Gnosticism, a collection of philosophical and religious concepts brought into the church by converts, was not an organized religion but a set of devastating anti-God beliefs. These included the immortality of the soul and progressive revelation, which allows individuals to justify practices contrary to God's Word by claiming personal inspiration. Such thinking persists in modern Christianity, often under the guise of Hellenistic Christianity, and continues to divide the true church, just as it did in the first century. These false doctrines infiltrated the church through cultural influences, particularly Hellenism, which affected Judea for nearly two centuries before Christ. Jewish converts, known as Hellenists, brought Greek philosophies into the early church, blending them with Judaism and creating a dangerous syncretism of truth and error. This blending made the resulting religion appear deceptively valid, challenging the apostles' efforts to maintain revealed truths, a struggle that continues to impact the church today.

False doctrine poses a significant danger to believers, as it is crafted by a master deceiver who seeks to lead people astray. Satan has deceived the whole world, while the true church remains a little, little flock, vastly outnumbered by those under deception. This deception is especially intense and clever in the end-time, with access to misleading teachings through various media like television, radio, books, and the Internet. The elect must be particularly vigilant, as the deceiver will exploit any possible way to mislead even them, presenting falsehoods in an appealing and subtle manner. Many modern theologians, though sincere, are deceived and teach doctrines that appeal to human nature, often incorporating a twist against God's truth. These teachings frequently support antinomianism, or lawlessness, alongside notions like eternal security, suggesting that one's salvation is assured regardless of obedience. Such ideas, rooted in satan's initial deception in Genesis 3 with the lie "You shall not surely die," promote a false sense of security, encouraging believers to relax and disregard God's commands under the guise of boundless grace. These false doctrines evolve with new terminology like unconditional love, Lordship salvation, or the concept of the carnal Christian, all emphasizing grace over morality. Some teachings even propose that mankind is totally depraved and incapable of contributing to salvation, thus negating the need for personal effort or obedience. Yet, God's word shows that even the Israelites had to perform works, such as walking to the Promised Land and gathering manna, demonstrating that effort is required. We, too, must work out our salvation, as these actions are evidence of our faith and trust in Him. Modern evangelical teachings often contradict themselves by urging righteousness while claiming that keeping God's law is unnecessary for salvation, suggesting that change happens automatically through Christ's presence without personal effort. This creates an inescapable bind, allowing individuals to set their own moral standards, which inevitably conflict with God's standards. Such teachings, exemplified by authors like Steve McVey, label law-keeping as legalistic, arguing that true obedience is a mystical experience based on personal revelation rather than adherence to God's recorded commandments, thus opening the door to sin by defining good according to personal standards. Historically, false doctrines stem from Gnosticism, influencing both Catholic and Protestant branches of Hellenistic Christianity, which emerged as a syncretism of true and false beliefs. These groups reject the necessity of law-keeping, including Sabbath observance, viewing it as backward while promoting Sunday worship as a symbol of liberation from law. Their teachings, such as eternal security, progressive revelation, and antinomianism, persist today, continuing to challenge the true church. God's judgment against such syncretism is clear, as He will not tolerate a blend of true and false worship, and history shows the devastating effects of these deceptions through the actions of those who rejected His government. The true church must remain steadfast, holding to the doctrines and traditions given by God, enduring to the end amidst these deceptions. The path to salvation lies in measuring up to His standard, not ours, and demonstrating our faith through works and obedience to His law, lest we fall into the trap of self-established standards that lead to judgment.