Teaching Truth in a Time of Deception
Guarding the Gospel with Love and Conviction
It’s never been easier to claim divine authority. With a smartphone and a social media account, anyone can go viral with a so-called “word from the Lord.” Charismatic personalities speak with confidence and conviction—often without accountability, scriptural grounding, or theological depth.
But as the Apostle John warned the early church:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
This isn’t just an ancient warning—it’s a pastoral call to action for today’s church.
The State of Doctrine in the Modern Church
Recent research reveals a sobering reality about the theological health of modern believers. According to the 2025 State of Theology survey conducted by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research:
53% of self-identified evangelicals agree that “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature.”
53% also believe “The Holy Spirit is a force but not a personal being.”
47% say “God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.”
And according to a 2021 report from Arizona Christian University, only 6% of adults in America possess a biblical worldview.
That means the vast majority of people sitting in our pews—even in Bible-believing churches—are functionally operating out of unbiblical assumptions about who God is and how He works.
As shepherds of God’s people, this should stop us in our tracks.
Why the Church Must Rediscover Discernment
The Bible calls every believer to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1)—but that begins with pastors faithfully equipping their congregations to discern truth from error.
Discernment isn’t cynicism. It’s not about looking for fault lines in every sermon or post. It’s about cultivating a biblical instinct—a reflex to measure every claim about God against the truth of Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
John gives the test plainly:
“Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2).
In other words, every teaching must be measured by what it says about Jesus.
Does it affirm Him as fully God and fully human?
Does it uphold His physical death and bodily resurrection?
Does it call us to love and obey Him as Lord?
If it presents a different Jesus—it’s a different gospel. Full stop.
Four Tests for Gospel Discernment
In a world full of spiritual noise, pastors can help their people grow in discernment by teaching them to apply four simple filters:
The Scripture Test – Does this teaching align with the clear, revealed Word of God?
God never contradicts Himself. A “word from the Lord” that dismisses or distorts Scripture is not from Him.The Fruit Test – What kind of person is this teaching producing?
True doctrine cultivates the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness. False doctrine breeds pride, fear, and division.The Community Test – Is this teaching affirmed by the church community?
God’s Spirit doesn’t just speak to me; He speaks to us. Truth will be affirmed by mature believers, not isolated individuals.The Situation Test – Does this teaching fit within the circumstances of life in a way consistent with God’s character?
God’s voice brings clarity and peace, not manipulation or false hope. False teachers often promise escape from hardship; Jesus promises transformation through it.
The Consequences of Doctrinal Drift
False teachers and manipulative “prophets” aren’t new. But their platforms are larger and their influence faster than ever.
Whether it’s a viral TikTok prophet, a self-proclaimed apostle, or a bestselling author who subtly redefines the gospel, the damage can be profound.
When we fail to teach sound doctrine with clarity and conviction, we leave our people vulnerable. And when pastors hesitate to correct error for fear of offending, falsehoods multiply unchecked.
The result? Congregations who are emotionally stirred but theologically starved—passionate about God, but unclear on who He really is.
Teaching the Gospel Lovingly and Unapologetically
The solution isn’t more anger—it’s more anchoring. Pastors must preach the unchanging gospel with both conviction and compassion.
We must teach the truth lovingly—because people are not the enemy. False ideas are.
And we must teach it unapologetically—because truth is not fragile, and the gospel is not up for revision.
Our pulpits must resound with the same message John wrote to the church:
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
The Spirit of Truth still dwells within the people of God. We are not powerless in a world filled with deception.
We are called to stand firm—not because we know everything, but because we know the One who is truth.
Final Word to Church Leaders
Pastors, you are the theological gatekeepers of your congregations.
Your calling is not to entertain the flock, but to equip them.
Not to avoid hard truths, but to explain them with grace.
In an age where “the spirit of the world has a microphone, a platform, and an algorithm,” your faithful teaching of Scripture has never been more critical.
Preach the real Jesus—fully God, fully man, crucified and risen—and you will guard your people from counterfeit gospels.
And in doing so, you’ll raise up a generation of believers who discern well, love deeply, and cling fiercely to the truth.
Recommended Resource for Leaders:
The State of Theology Report (Ligonier & Lifeway, 2025)
American Worldview Inventory (Arizona Christian University, 2021)
“The Pastor as Theologian” by Kevin Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan
