The False Churches, False Doctrine, and the Warning of Jesus Christ
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
A Biblical Examination of Hypocrisy, Deception, and Eternal Judgment
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” — Matthew 24:4 (KJV)
Introduction
In every generation, God has warned His people about false teachers, corrupt religion, and deceptive doctrines. The Bible is unmistakably clear: not every church is of God, not every preacher is sent by God, and not every doctrine is truth. Many who claim to represent Christ are in fact propagating the doctrines of men, twisting Scripture, and leading multitudes into spiritual destruction.
Jesus Himself rebuked religious leaders more harshly than anyone else because they misrepresented God, corrupted His Word, and deceived His people. The consequences, He said, would be eternal damnation — not only for the false teachers, but also for those who follow them.
This study examines what Scripture teaches about false churches, false doctrines, hypocrisy, deception, and the terrifying judgment that awaits those who refuse to repent.
1. God Warns Repeatedly Against False Teachers
From Genesis to Revelation, God warns His people about spiritual deception.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” — Matthew 7:15 (KJV)
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 11:13 (KJV)
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” — 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV)
False churches often:
Preach feel-good messages instead of repentance
Teach grace without obedience
Avoid judgment, hell, holiness, and sin
Replace biblical truth with human philosophy, emotionalism, and entertainment
God calls these teachings “doctrines of devils.”
2. The Traditions and Doctrines of Men
Many churches today do not preach the Word of God — they preach the traditions and ideas of men.
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:9 (KJV)
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” — Colossians 2:8 (KJV)
When churches replace Scripture with:
Cultural values
Social movements
Motivational speaking
Psychological preaching
Prosperity doctrines
They abandon the gospel of Christ.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” — Galatians 1:8 (KJV)
3. Jesus’ Fierce Rebuke of Religious Hypocrites
No group received stronger condemnation from Jesus than the religious leaders of His day.
Matthew 23:13–15 (KJV)
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
Jesus calls them:
Hypocrites
Blind guides
Fools
Serpents
Generation of vipers
Matthew 23:33 (KJV)
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”
These were religious leaders, pastors, teachers, and church authorities — yet Jesus declared they were children of hell.
4. Blind Leaders and Blind Followers
False churches produce blind leaders and blind congregations.
“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” — Matthew 15:14 (KJV)
Those who follow false teachers share in their judgment because they reject truth.
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (KJV)
People often choose false churches because:
They do not want conviction
They love comfort more than holiness
They desire affirmation rather than repentance
They prefer entertainment over transformation
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” — 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV)
5. Jesus Clearly Taught About Hell and Eternal Fire
Jesus preached about hell more than anyone else in Scripture.
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” — Matthew 10:28 (KJV)
“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.” — Mark 9:43 (KJV)
“Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” — Mark 9:44 (KJV)
False churches avoid preaching hell because:
It offends
It reduces popularity
It does not attract crowds
It convicts sinners
But Jesus never softened the message.
6. False Teachers Will Burn — and Their Followers With Them
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable… and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” — Revelation 21:8 (KJV)
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” — Revelation 20:15 (KJV)
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” — Psalm 9:17 (KJV)
False teachers lead people away from repentance, holiness, obedience, and submission to Christ — and they will answer for every soul they misled.
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” — James 3:1 (KJV)
7. God Commands Separation from False Religion
God does not permit believers to remain in false churches.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers… wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 6:14,17 (KJV)
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” — Romans 16:17 (KJV)
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” — Ephesians 5:11 (KJV)
Believers are commanded to rebuke, exhort, correct, and warn — not to tolerate false doctrine.
8. Sharp Rebuke to False Churches and Their Followers
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21 (KJV)
A Biblical Rebuke
You who sit comfortably in false churches — listening to flattering sermons while rejecting holiness — you are deceived. You who follow pastors that preach peace without repentance, grace without obedience, and faith without submission — you are walking the broad road to destruction.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” — Matthew 7:13 (KJV)
Your church attendance cannot save you.
Your emotional worship cannot save you.
Your religious activity cannot save you.
Only repentance, obedience, holiness, and submission to Jesus Christ can save you.
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” — Luke 13:3 (KJV)
Conclusion: A Final Warning
False churches are multiplying. False doctrines are spreading. Deception is increasing. Yet the Word of God stands unchanged.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” — John 17:17 (KJV)
Now is the time to:
Test every doctrine
Examine every preacher
Compare every teaching to Scripture
Flee false religion
Repent fully
Walk in holiness
“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” — John 12:47–48 (KJV)
Choose truth. Choose repentance. Choose obedience. Choose life.
