Where In The Bible Will I Find:

Christ's Doctrine On Judging And Testing?

The right to judge teachers and test doctrines belongs to all Christians. The Lord imposed this duty on His people (Matt. 7:15-20; I John 4:1). The apostle Paul commanded it, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:17-18).

For many teachers and preachers are delivering lessons that are weak, watered-down, saccharin-coated deceptions to please crowds and to lull audiences, pleasing to some people but in abomination to God (I Thess. 2:4; James 4:4; Luke 16:15). They appeal to Matthew 18, but in so doing, they are "wresting" the Scriptures (II Peter 3:16). Matthew 18:15-17 applies to a matter between two brethren having a private difficulty solely between themselves. It is not dealing with public teaching of a false doctrine. Any view that would permit a heretic to teach error publicly but forbid a public answer immediately is absurd! Such doctrine would grant immunity to false teachers!

Paul certainly knew this, for he wrote, "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (I Tim. 5:20). He charges all who are "set for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:16) to, "preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (II Tim. 4:2-4).

Faithful Christians will not receive false teachers into their homes, nor will they extend hospitality and fellowship in any way to them. Paul knew of men who taught false doctrine and he warned others about them. Any Christian, especially elders and preachers, who know of false doctrine being taught, or any unsound practices, such as open fellowship with denominations, fellowship with those who have been withdrawn from because of their adulterous marriages, those who refuse to withdraw their membership from sinful secret lodges, and who make pitiful excuses that "we should not judge" needs to spend more time in studying God's Word (II Tim. 2:15).

"…[T]here be some that trouble you, and would pervert 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" (Gal. 1:7-8).