In past articles, we have already stressed the importance of personally studying the Word as the most crucial component to being able to identify and avoid heresy. But still, with so many subtle and insidious heresies swirling about in our day, I think it will be helpful to provide a few clues to watch out for. Following are 5 key considerations to bear in mind as you evaluate the truthfulness of the things you hear. It is not an all-inclusive list, but it is a good start.
1) Consider the Source
There are some people who want to be considered “spiritual” and insightful, however, they don’t view the material in the Word of God as the greatest and only infallible source for such insight. Having not come to the conviction that the Bible is sufficient, they bring in considerations and teachings from other religions and faith practices to describe theological matters. These don’t realize that utilizing other faith’s dogmas and beliefs is not only unhelpful, but it is downright dangerous. For example, we shouldn’t try to define the nature of God in the terms that a Hindu or a Muslim might employ. There may be some things they get right, but given that ultimately they worship false gods, we should not seek to borrow insights from them. When someone is detailing their beliefs or doctrine to you, and you find them referring to some false religion as support for their ideas, alarms should be going off if your mind that this is not a trustworthy source.
But false religions are not the only poor source we need to be aware of as we consider whether something is heresy or not. Many people base their beliefs in no religion at all, but actually determine what they believe to be true based solely on their own experiences. Be wary of people whose defense of their doctrine stems merely from some supposed experience they have had, rather than the Word of God.
2) Something New?
The next key consideration we should observe, when discerning whether something is heresy or not, is whether it is supposedly something new. There really are no new doctrines. The Word of God is completed, and the canon of Scripture has been closed. Every new idea and interpretation that people have brought in since that time has actually been a distortion to the truth. And time and time again they are rooted out and revealed to be heresy.
In actuality, those in our day who claim to have a “new” interpretation of the Scriptures are most of the time simply ignorant of history. Even most heretical views aren’t original anymore; they are the same old lies that were told in ages past that are rehashed and modernized. If someone is claiming to have a new doctrine or interpretation – that should concern you.
3) Over Complicated
The Gospel of salvation through Jesus is a simple message – it can be understood by children if the Holy Spirit moves within them. You should be concerned about the truthfulness of a message that seems to overcomplicate how we are to be saved. Most times that means that the heretic is actually adding to what is necessary for salvation, and by doing so they depart from the truth that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone. The Gospel message is best presented when it is simply explained. And the Gospel is effectual for salvation when it is simply believed.
4) Over Simplified
While the Gospel message of salvation is simple, that does not negate the fact that there is much in the Word that is deep, intricate, and challenging to understand. Describing certain matters of theology and doctrine requires spiritual maturity, attention to detail, and precise verbiage to proclaim it accurately. At times, people unwittingly adopt an oversimplified illustration of a complex reality that actually leads to heretical opinions. For example: the Trinity is a difficult to comprehend topic, but to reduce its complexity by comparing it to something people can understand has proven dangerous. Such can be observed when the Trinity is compared to the three states of water (solid, liquid, and gas), or an egg (yolk, white, and shell), or a single man who is simultaneously a father, a brother, and a son. Each of these examples, taken to their logical end, actually leads to heresies such as Modalism, Monarchianism, or Oneness Theology. The point is, we should be cautious when hearing someone defining Divine things according to humanistic mechanisms.
5) Over Sensationalized
Lastly, I will mention that we must be on the alert when what a preacher or a teacher is describing is overly fantastical. The Lord indeed does amazing things in the lives of believers – not the least of which is the salvation of our souls through belief in the Gospel message. But that message has taken a backseat in many ministries over the years. There are always those who are more interested in an experience than they are about faith. They want to see or feel something tangible and exciting rather than to rejoice in the more obscure and “boring” inner heart transformation that God daily works in His people. This desire for sensation is at the root of Mysticism, it is what makes Charismatic churches seem so appealing, and it has even influenced much of what is called “contemporary worship.” When sensation is elevated and valued above the Word, you can be sure that heresies abound in that place.
Well, time will not permit for us to continue in this vein today. I’ll leave you with this question: Can you spot a heresy?
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