“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness” (1 Timothy 6:3 ESV).
1 Timothy 6:3 brings closure to a topic that Paul the Apostle began in the first chapter of this book. That topic involves the subject of heretical teachers. This subject is one that bears repeating, for a person who holds a faulty understanding of Jesus’ teachings will surely express his or her mistaken beliefs through any number of negative characteristics.
For instance, consider the qualities of a false teacher mentioned below…
“Paul identifies 3 characteristics of false teachers: 1) they ‘advocate a different doctrine’—a different teaching that contradicts God’s revelation in Scripture (see notes on Gal 1:6–9); 2) they do ‘not agree with sound words’—they do not accept sound, healthy teaching, specifically the teaching contained in Scripture (2Pe 3:16); and 3) they reject ‘doctrine conforming to godliness’—teaching not based on Scripture will always result in an unholy life. Instead of godliness, false teachers will be marked by sin…” (1)
Since new spiritual movements, novel experiences, or “fresh anointings” seem to arise in every age, these characteristics are worthy of our attention. Some of these movements may be good and beneficial while others (like the rise of Mormonism, Christian Science, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses movements in the 19th century) may produce teachings that cause spiritual damage that lasts for decades and beyond.
Those who fail to read and grow in their understanding of God’s Word thus become targets for various forms of deception. This may include religious belief systems that appear reasonable but are opposed to genuine Biblical teaching. It might also include cultic organizations led by charismatic and persuasive leaders. Or it may simply involve those who drift away from a relationship with Christ because they never established a Biblical foundation for faith.
In contrast, good churches that emphasize sound Biblical teaching can help us discern a genuine work of God from a counterfeit. On the other hand, those who don’t know the Scriptures yet consistently seek to catch the next wave of a supposed “move of God” may find themselves tossed back and forth like a cork in the ocean. Sadly, these individuals may also fit the description offered by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Ephesians…
“…tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).
(1) MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (1 Ti 6:3). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.