The Doctrine of Christ vs. The Doctrine of Men

Matthew 15:8-9 - “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”

You know how sometimes people say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you’re a good person”? Yeah...that sounds nice, but it’s not exactly what Jesus said. In fact, that’s the kind of thinking that can lead you straight into the spiritual ditch.

Today, we’re talking about something serious – the difference between what Jesus teaches and what people make up. Because here’s the deal: If it’s not the doctrine of Christ, it’s the doctrine of men. And that can lead to trouble, no matter how “nice” or “reasonable” it sounds.

Doctrine Matters – Yes, Even Yours!

Ever heard someone say, “I don’t like sermons about doctrine”? I get it. But guess what? Jesus cared about doctrine. And if it mattered to Him, it should matter to us. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warned that people would one day chase after teachers who tell them what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. That day isn’t coming – it’s here.

We live in a time where folks want their ears tickled, not their hearts changed. People say, “Give me something light, something positive. Don’t challenge me too much.” But Paul didn’t tell Timothy to preach what made people feel good. He said, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage” (2 Tim. 4:2).

False Doctrine = Empty Worship

Jesus didn’t mince words. In Matthew 15:8-9, He said people who follow the doctrines of men worship in vain. Ouch. Imagine showing up to church, singing the songs, and praying the prayers, only for God to say, “That was pointless.” Why? Because it wasn’t grounded in His truth.

The Pharisees were pros at this. They followed all kinds of traditions but neglected God’s actual commandments. And Jesus wasn’t impressed. Let’s not kid ourselves. This still happens today. Plenty of churches push man-made traditions over God’s word. If it doesn’t come from Scripture, it doesn’t carry eternal weight. Period.

The Doctrine of Christ Saves – Man’s Doctrine Destroys

Here’s the bottom line: The doctrine of Christ leads to salvation. The doctrine of men? Not so much. 1 Timothy 4:16 says, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

That’s huge. The right teaching doesn’t just affect you – it affects everyone who listens to you. It’s like being a tour guide. If you know the right path, you can lead others safely. But if you’re making it up as you go, everyone ends up lost.

Why Do People Follow False Doctrine?

So why do people go for man-made teachings? Paul gives us the answer in 1 Timothy 4:1-2. He says they follow “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” That’s not exactly light reading, is it? The truth is, false doctrine often sounds appealing. It’s smooth. It’s easy. And it doesn’t ask you to change.

But following feel-good teachings is like eating candy for dinner. Sure, it tastes good at first, but it won’t nourish your soul. Worse, it can destroy your faith. Romans 16:18 says false teachers use “good words and fair speeches” to deceive. They make lies sound like truth. And if you’re not grounded in God’s word, you might fall for it.

Let’s Be Real – This Is Serious

Jesus said that any doctrine or institution that God didn’t plant will be uprooted (Matt. 15:13). That’s not just an empty threat. False teachings and those who push them are on shaky ground. And one day, God’s going to pull the rug out from under them.

Paul said to “mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine…and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17). That’s not Paul being mean. That’s Paul protecting the church. Bad doctrine doesn’t just sit quietly. It spreads. It divides. And it leads people away from Jesus.

Stay Awake, Church!

Let’s not be caught napping. Ephesians 5:14 says, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” The world is full of false teachings. Some sound spiritual. Some sound intellectual. But if they don’t line up with the Word, they’re dangerous.

Let’s stick to the doctrine of Christ. It’s the only path to God. 2 John 9 says, “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God.” That’s pretty straightforward. Want Jesus? Stick to His word.

Conclusion

You can’t have Jesus without His doctrine. You can’t follow Christ and ignore His commands. So let’s be people who hunger for truth, not comfort. Let’s crave sound doctrine, not ear-tickling messages.

If you’ve been listening to something that doesn’t line up with Scripture, it’s time to let it go. Get back to the Word. Get rooted in Christ. And watch how He transforms your life.

Lord, open our eyes to Your truth. Help us recognize false teachings and cling to Your word. Give us boldness to follow You, even when it’s hard. Let Your doctrine shape our lives, and may we never stray from the path You’ve set. In Jesus' name, Amen.