How can we discern true gospel teachings from distortions mentioned in Galatians 1:7?

◄ Identify true gospel vs. distortions? ►

Verse Focus

“Some are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.”

The Heart of the Gospel

- Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Colossians 15:1-4).

- Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

- The message is received from God, not invented by people (Galatians 1:11-12).

- All Scripture is God-breathed and fully reliable (2 Titus 3:16).

Recognizing Distortions

- Adding human works, rituals, or law-keeping as conditions for salvation.

- Diminishing Jesus’ deity, substitutionary death, or bodily resurrection.

- Promising earthly prosperity as the primary aim of the gospel.

- Treating grace as license to sin rather than freedom to obey (Jude 1:4).

- Elevating new revelations that contradict the apostolic witness.

Discernment Checklist

• Gospel Core Test: does the message match 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Ephesians 2:8-9?

• Scripture Test: is every claim anchored in the written Word (Acts 17:11)?

• Apostle Test: would Peter, Paul, and John affirm it (Galatians 1:8-9)?

• Christ-Exalting Test: does it spotlight Jesus alone or the messenger?

• Fruit Test: does it produce holiness, love, and sound thinking (Matthew 7:15-20)?

• Spirit Test: does it confess Jesus come in the flesh (1 John 4:1-3)?

Supporting Passages to Lean On

- 2 Corinthians 11:3-4—warning about “another Jesus” and “another gospel.”

- 2 Peter 2:1—false teachers secretly introduce destructive heresies.

- Jude 1:3—contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

- Colossians 2:6-10—stay rooted in Christ, not empty philosophy.

Putting It into Practice

1. Read whole books, not isolated verses, to keep context clear.

2. Memorize key gospel passages (e.g., John 3:16; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

3. Compare every teaching—sermon, podcast, book—with Scripture.

4. Discuss what you’re learning with mature believers for accountability.

5. Hold fast to grace, refusing any message that shifts trust off Christ alone.