The human vertebral column, better known as the spine, consists of thirty-three vertebrae that run the length of the human torso. It not only houses the spinal cord, the primary neural pathway from the brain to various body regions, but in conjunction with the ribs it also bears the weight of the entire body, holding all parts in proper position. What happens when a person has spinal problems like arthritis or a ruptured vertebra? Intense pain, loss of mobility and abilities, and failure of other body parts to function properly. As one arthritic admitted, “When the spine is out of whack, nothing seems to work right.” But when the spine is healthy, all parts of the body are poised to work well for our benefit.

Now consider the spine as a metaphor for healthy spiritual teaching. When a person has a robust knowledge of Jehovah’s teachings, coupled with a wise sense of application and a determination to do as He directs, the spiritual body will be strong and hale. The spine gives posture and the ability to stand upright. Just so, healthy spiritual teaching makes it possible for us to stand uprightly before God. Our brother Paul wrote to Timothy about the value of good spiritual teaching: “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). The word pattern  indicates there is a reliable standard or arrangement of God’s teaching that is repeatable— there is a blueprint. And the word sound is actually a medical term related to our word hygienic ; it literally means “healthy.” So God is saying that we should hold on to healthy teaching! Perhaps this recognition forces one to peer past labels like “liberal” or “conservative,” themselves subjectively applied, and focus instead on a more penetrating and objective assessment about the spiritual healthiness of the words we hear. This term helps carry the conversation to a proper location, namely an honest appraisal of the Bible’s teachings in order to secure a healthy understanding of the Word.

We certainly should be concerned with physical health, but what about spiritual wellbeing? The discussion of spiritual matters in medical terms makes for helpful analyses and easy appreciation of benefits. Consider that Jesus, called the Great Physician, spoke of His work in medical terms—“Those that are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12). Are we ready to hear what the Lord has to say on the matter of healthy teachings the way we would listen to an oncologist or cardiologist? Healthy teaching feeds the soul, answering the hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:5).

No one really enjoys having to address false teaching; it is unpleasant, even distressing at times. But it is also needed. To some, a brother’s concern for true/false teaching may be dismissed as a mark of spiritual fractiousness, wrangling over matters like a Christian dilettante or spiritual tyro. But this is an easy and myopic response, perhaps by one who does not wish to engage in any meaningful discussion for fear of what might be unearthed. God discussed this topic in the Old Testament through His spokesmen and prophets (see Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:20-22; Isaiah 5:20; Jeremiah 5:30-31 as a brief sampling). Jesus addressed the theme (Matthew 5:19; 7:15-20; 15:9, 13-14; Mark 13:22), as did His apostles and early followers (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 4). This makes false teaching a theme worthy of our consideration as well.

False teaching bears a face. It manifests itself as Jim Jones, the leader of a religious movement in South America who ordered the murder of a U.S. Congressman and aides and then induced his own adherents to follow him into murder/suicide. False teaching looks like David Koresh, who led his disciples to a fiery conflagration outside Waco, Texas. These egregious examples (and there are more) receive worldwide condemnation, but are they really so much worse than many other cases in which someone speaks falsely about God’s will for humanity? When a local preacher encourages a congregation to cease worshiping the Lord as directed in the New Testament, the damage is scarcely less. When an elder instructs members to ignore God’s expectations for marriage and family, souls are jeopardized. When an individual decides that her or his own preferences should precede Jesus’ instructions, damage is done. If we can dispassionately look at the problem the way we ask a doctor to examine an injury, then we can see the extreme danger that false teaching poses to the soul.

You may ask, “What is false teaching and how do I recognize it?” Simply put, any doctrine that deviates from God’s revealed will as found in the Scriptures is false. And yes, some may disagree over what the Bible says and thus what constitutes erroneous teachings. But this demands that we become avid seekers of Truth, scrutinizing the Lord’s Word in order to understand His will (Ephesians 5:17). The Creator who fashioned the human race and understands our minds is the same Creator seeking to communicate with us via His Book. Countries can communicate with one another at the United Nations, using translators to endorse international treaties, broker global economic deals, and resolve conflicts. I refuse to believe that we cannot read the Bible and come to a clear understanding of its basic teachings. The only explanation for such simpler diversity is that individuals do not wish to let go of their firmly held beliefs, even in the face of stark truths. When authorities prepare their agents to spot counterfeit currency, they learn the features of the true currency. Any deviation must be counterfeit. In a similar fashion, when we learn what the Lord teaches, then anytime we hear a differing teaching, we know we are hearing something false. This requires us to be knowledgeable, as well as investigating to “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). But to do less is to risk following a path that leads away from rather than to God.

What are the origins of false teaching? Some deviate from the pure doctrine due to ignorance. They simply do not know the right spiritual facts or truths; an example would be Apollos, the early Christian who mistakenly taught John’s baptism after  Pentecost (Acts 18:24-26). To his credit, when Aquila and Priscilla brought this to his attention, he immediately made correction.

Sadly, others deviate from the pure doctrine, not due to ignorance, but due to recalcitrance. They stubbornly cling to their preferred positions despite every correction. Paul and Barnabas encountered this problem in Antioch of Pisidia:

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth’”(Acts 13:44-45).

Though ignorance of God’s law does not excuse us from guilt, recalcitrance represents a danger of far greater scale. It manifests a heart problem behind erroneous teaching.

How do we respond to false teaching? Let us first make certain we understand the issues at hand. What did the individual say? Why did they advocate a certain teaching? Our response will depend in some measure upon these factors—consider the example of Apollos in this regard. If someone tenaciously clings to a teaching conflicting with the Scriptures despite admonitions and further study, then we have a duty to that person and the church as a whole to withdraw from him; Paul stated such in Romans 16:17-18, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” In the face of false teaching, we cannot be “spineless,” too apathetic or afraid to stand for our convictions. To have a spine, or backbone, means the opposite—promoting what we know and refusing to be silent. Christians need a strong spine to remain confident and steadfast amidst doctrinal challenges. The wellbeing of our souls depends upon it.

By Rick Brumback

This article originally appeared in the July 2013 issue of Think magazine. To subscribe to Think, or for more information, click here.