Well-Intentioned False Doctrine
I know it's probably stretching the specific application and situation Paul intended - but "false doctrines" could also include misperceptions that people really do believe is truth and they "teach" it by the small talk with others and/or by modeling it in their behavior. They aren't choosing to teach false doctrine, they are just living out what they believe to be true. Add to this that if this false doctrine has been left unchecked by the truth of scripture, it will continue to evolve further and further away from scripture.
Unfortunately, there will come a time when this false doctrine collides with truth. When this happens "controversies" are promoted. Now you have two sides - both battling over what they believe, with every good intention to be truth.
Take for example the belief by so many that a pastor is to be all things. He is to be the teacher of scripture, the leader of staff and volunteers, the evangelist of the unsaved, the organizer of administration, the merciful care giver, the financial expert, the leader of worship, etc. etc. etc. AND, he is to be a "10" in all of these.
This is "false doctrine" and it is "taught" by well-intentioned people who have grown up thinking this is what a pastor is and does. It has probably evolved over time and been supported by churches or other church leaders. However, it does not line up with 1 Corinthians 12.
Sooner or later, this false doctrine collides with someone or a church that understands 1 Corinthians 12. When this collision happens, relationships are hurt and division happens. Both sides believing they are adhering to the truth.
The solution? We MUST check and double-check and double-check what we believe and perceive with Scripture. We must always go back to that standard. The standard is not what another pastor or church is teaching and modeling. The standard is scripture.
This also means I must "study" scripture. I cannot approach the Bible as a quick "make me feel good" devotional. And I must study the "whole" of scripture. And I must study and know the proper "interpretation" of scripture before I set out on "application".
Again...in the context of the role of the pastor. The pastor is to be a shepherd. My definition and perception of a shepherd is not what a shepherd was 2,000 years ago. False doctrine happens when I apply my definition of shepherd to the role of a pastor (1 Peter 5:2) and do not understand what a shepherd really was and what Peter meant.
Unfortunately, there will come a time when this false doctrine collides with truth. When this happens "controversies" are promoted. Now you have two sides - both battling over what they believe, with every good intention to be truth.
Take for example the belief by so many that a pastor is to be all things. He is to be the teacher of scripture, the leader of staff and volunteers, the evangelist of the unsaved, the organizer of administration, the merciful care giver, the financial expert, the leader of worship, etc. etc. etc. AND, he is to be a "10" in all of these.
This is "false doctrine" and it is "taught" by well-intentioned people who have grown up thinking this is what a pastor is and does. It has probably evolved over time and been supported by churches or other church leaders. However, it does not line up with 1 Corinthians 12.
Sooner or later, this false doctrine collides with someone or a church that understands 1 Corinthians 12. When this collision happens, relationships are hurt and division happens. Both sides believing they are adhering to the truth.
The solution? We MUST check and double-check and double-check what we believe and perceive with Scripture. We must always go back to that standard. The standard is not what another pastor or church is teaching and modeling. The standard is scripture.
This also means I must "study" scripture. I cannot approach the Bible as a quick "make me feel good" devotional. And I must study the "whole" of scripture. And I must study and know the proper "interpretation" of scripture before I set out on "application".
Again...in the context of the role of the pastor. The pastor is to be a shepherd. My definition and perception of a shepherd is not what a shepherd was 2,000 years ago. False doctrine happens when I apply my definition of shepherd to the role of a pastor (1 Peter 5:2) and do not understand what a shepherd really was and what Peter meant.
