False Doctrines: Unprofitable and Vain
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False doctrines, often described as teachings that deviate from the core truths of the Christian faith, are considered unprofitable and vain within the biblical context. These doctrines are seen as detrimental to spiritual growth and the unity of the Church, leading believers away from the truth of the Gospel.

Biblical Warnings Against False Doctrines

The New Testament contains numerous warnings against false doctrines. The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral epistles, frequently admonishes believers to guard against teachings that are contrary to sound doctrine. In 1 Timothy 1:3-4 , Paul instructs Timothy, "As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith."

Paul emphasizes that such teachings are not only false but also unprofitable, as they lead to disputes rather than edification. In Titus 3:9 , he advises, "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these things are pointless and worthless."

Characteristics of False Doctrines

False doctrines are often characterized by their departure from the apostolic teaching and their tendency to promote division and confusion within the Church. They may include speculative ideas, legalistic practices, or teachings that distort the nature of Christ and the Gospel. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 , Paul warns, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

Impact on Believers and the Church

The impact of false doctrines on believers and the Church can be significant. They can lead individuals away from the truth, causing them to stray from the faith. In 1 Timothy 6:20-21 , Paul cautions, "O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called 'knowledge,' which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith."

False doctrines can also create division within the Church, as they often lead to disputes and controversies. This is contrary to the unity and peace that should characterize the body of Christ. In Romans 16:17-18 , Paul advises, "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the naive."

The Call to Uphold Sound Doctrine

Believers are called to uphold sound doctrine and to be discerning in their acceptance of teachings. The Bereans are commended in Acts 17:11 for their diligence in examining the Scriptures to verify the truth of the teachings they received: "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true."

In conclusion, the Bible consistently warns against false doctrines, emphasizing their unprofitable and vain nature. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in the truth, to discern false teachings, and to promote sound doctrine for the edification and unity of the Church.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 13:9
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

What are the Sins Forbidden in the Third Commandment?
... perverting the Word, or any part of it, to profane jests, curious or unprofitable
questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; abusing it ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 113 0 0 what are the.htm

The Westminster Catechisms.
... perverting the Word, or any part of it, to profane jests, curious or unprofitable
questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; abusing it ...
/.../ 96 the westminster catechisms.htm

Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Treasure Christians have in the ...
... judgment is equally true as to unprofitable and vain ... retribution, the worst of it
being false doctrine and ... truth; he who knows the Gospel doctrines, goes on ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/eighteenth sunday after trinity treasure.htm

Letter cxxxiii. To Ctesiphon.
... Apelles possessed in Philumena an associate in his false doctrines. ... to do." [3835]
If he is unprofitable who has ... It is in vain that you misrepresent me and try ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxxiii to ctesiphon.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 1
... is much that is inferior and unprofitable, he comes ... who, because he looked to
vain-glory, did ... excite themselves, and make shipwreck in their false doctrines. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxv 1 cor xiv.htm

RB Unto the Friendly Reader Wisheth Salvation.
... doctrines of truth; which appearing not unprofitable to some ... in some part to remove
that false and monstrous ... the minds of some, concerning us and our doctrines. ...
/.../r b unto the friendly.htm

Words of Counsel.
... It is a false idea. ... and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are
unprofitable and vain.". ... in living in sin he will not know the doctrines of God. ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter iv words of counsel.htm

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. . ...
... kind of professions have some fundamental doctrines and points ... in its operations,
vain and unprofitable, yea, prodigious ... It is such a false imagination, as "I ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter v humility is the.htm

Hebrews x. 26, 27
... truth": He either means, of Christ, or of all doctrines. ... bring us forth out of Egypt,
from unprofitable and vain ... It is false, O man, for then especially wilt ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xx hebrews x 26.htm

The Last Season
... false-hearted man! ... away with empty names and vain shows; away with unprofitable
discourse and ... Why have those who have sown corrupt doctrines had such plentiful ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/xii the last season.htm

Resources
Limited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is latitudinarianism? | GotQuestions.org

What is dogma? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Doctrines

Doctrines: False

Doctrines: General Scriptures Concerning

Doctrines: Guidelines Set Forth from the Leaders in Jerusalem

False Doctrines: Curse on Those Who Teach

False Doctrines: Destructive to Faith

False Doctrines: Hateful to God

False Doctrines: Punishment on Those Who Teach

False Doctrines: should be Avoided by all Men

False Doctrines: should be Avoided by Ministers

False Doctrines: should be Avoided by Saints

False Doctrines: Teachers of Attract Many

False Doctrines: Teachers of Bring Reproach on Religion

False Doctrines: Teachers of Deceive Many

False Doctrines: Teachers of not to be Countenanced

False Doctrines: Teachers of Pervert the Gospel of Christ

False Doctrines: Teachers of Shall Abound in the Latter Days

False Doctrines: Teachers of Shall be Exposed

False Doctrines: Teachers of should be Avoided

False Doctrines: Teachers of Speak Perverse Things

False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Corrupt and Reprobate

False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Covetous

False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Cruel

False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Deceitful

False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Proud and Ignorant

False Doctrines: Teachers of, are Described as Ungodly

False Doctrines: The Wicked Given up to Believe

False Doctrines: The Wicked Love

False Doctrines: Try, by Scripture

False Doctrines: Unprofitable and Vain

The Doctrines of the Gospel are from God

The Doctrines of the Gospel are Godly

The Doctrines of the Gospel are Taught by Scripture

The Doctrines of the Gospel: A Faithful Walk Adorns

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Bring No Reproach On

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Immorality Condemned By

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Lead to Fellowship With the Father and With the Son

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Lead to Holiness

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Attend To

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should be Nourished up In

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Continue In

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Hold Steadfastly

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Hold, in Sincerity

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Ministers should Speak Things Which Become

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Not Endured by the Wicked

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Saints Abide In

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Saints Obey, from the Heart

The Doctrines of the Gospel: The Obedience of Saints Leads to Surer Knowledge of

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: Doting About Questions

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: Ignorant

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: Not to be Received

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: Proud

The Doctrines of the Gospel: Those Who Oppose Are: To be Avoided

Related Terms

False (303 Occurrences)

False-hearted (6 Occurrences)

False-named (1 Occurrence)

Christs (2 Occurrences)

Prophesyings (1 Occurrence)

Statements (22 Occurrences)

Deception (24 Occurrences)

Deceitful (46 Occurrences)

Slander (34 Occurrences)

Tricked (25 Occurrences)

Deceptive (11 Occurrences)

Perform (155 Occurrences)

Arise (235 Occurrences)

Deceive (48 Occurrences)

Visions (43 Occurrences)

Breathing (25 Occurrences)

Delusion (12 Occurrences)

Displaying (4 Occurrences)

Pours (21 Occurrences)

Prodigies (2 Occurrences)

Possible (133 Occurrences)

Perjury (3 Occurrences)

Breatheth (8 Occurrences)

Counterfeit (3 Occurrences)

Steal (29 Occurrences)

Saints (117 Occurrences)

Secretly (104 Occurrences)

Sham (1 Occurrence)

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Curse (211 Occurrences)

Tradition (13 Occurrences)

Shew (226 Occurrences)

Elect (32 Occurrences)

Puts (197 Occurrences)

Commit (142 Occurrences)

Taker (26 Occurrences)

Balance (12 Occurrences)

Miracles (65 Occurrences)

Knave (2 Occurrences)

Truthful (12 Occurrences)

Trip (4 Occurrences)

Teachings (34 Occurrences)

Rewards (26 Occurrences)

Rogue (2 Occurrences)

Ever-burning (3 Occurrences)

Depths (56 Occurrences)

Disguise (7 Occurrences)

Masquerade (1 Occurrence)

Mislead (13 Occurrences)

Privily (15 Occurrences)

Pagan (7 Occurrences)

Pretence (5 Occurrences)

Belie (1 Occurrence)

Attraction (3 Occurrences)

Takes (380 Occurrences)

Crooked (31 Occurrences)

Privately (29 Occurrences)

Murder (41 Occurrences)

True (305 Occurrences)

Teachers (87 Occurrences)

Ahab (85 Occurrences)

Deceit (160 Occurrences)

Testimony (175 Occurrences)

Susanna (1 Occurrence)

Damnable (1 Occurrence)

Desires (151 Occurrences)

Yours (226 Occurrences)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)

Tells (38 Occurrences)

Stephen (13 Occurrences)

Pictured (26 Occurrences)

Turning (381 Occurrences)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Evil-doer (88 Occurrences)

Powers (43 Occurrences)

Truly (468 Occurrences)

False Doctrines: Try, by Scripture
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