When Doctrine Goes Bad

Text: 1 Timothy 1:3–7 Series: The Household of God Big Idea: False teaching always produces confusion, not godliness.

INTRODUCTION — Truth Matters Because Lives Matter

Every church is only one generation away from doctrinal drift.

Error rarely announces itself with a trumpet. It comes quietly. It sounds spiritual. It often uses Bible words — but it empties them of biblical meaning.

Paul writes to Timothy not because the church in Ephesus had abandoned the gospel outright, but because they were allowing unhealthy teaching to linger.

False doctrine does not have to deny Christ to damage Christ’s church. It only has to distract from the truth.

Paul begins this letter by reminding Timothy — and the church — that what we teach determines who we become.

1 Timothy 1:3–7 NKJV

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

I. SOUND DOCTRINE MUST BE PROTECTED

(vv. 3–4a)

Paul reminds Timothy that his ministry assignment was not optional.

1 Timothy 1:3 “3 ... that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”

“You may charge” means to command with authority. Timothy was not asked to negotiate with error — he was commanded to confront it.

Paul says “no other doctrine.” He is saying that there where some teaching false doctrine/teaching.

That is, anything that:

Adds to the gospel

Distracts from the gospel

Competes with the gospel

…is other doctrine.

Galatians 1:6–9 NKJV

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Paul identifies the problem:

“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies…”

1 Timothy 1:4 NKJV

4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

These were speculative teachings — spiritual rabbit trails that sounded deep but led nowhere.

Paul is not anti-thinking. He is anti-pointless thinking.

Let me give you some Modern-Day “Fables” as examples of what we see today

(Stories that sound spiritual but are not rooted in Scripture)

“God told me…” these are claims that contradict or go beyond Scripture, yet are treated as unquestionable truth Sounds spiritual; replaces biblical authority.

End-times date-setting and conspiracy prophecy Charts, codes, blood moons, secret timelines—lots of excitement, no discipleship. There is a plethora of authors out there ready to sell you book on secret timelines, bible codes and blood moons. Stay away from them.

Testimony-driven theology “This worked for me, so it must be true,” even when Scripture is bent to fit the story.

Prosperity myths - (NAR and Word of Faith) “If you have enough faith, God must bless you financially.” Encouraging at first; devastating in suffering.

Psychological spirituality without repentance Healing language with no cross, affirmation without transformation.

Modern-Day “Endless Genealogies”

(Obsessive details that distract from the gospel’s purpose)

Hyper-focus on spiritual lineage

“I follow this preacher, from this movement, with this theological bloodline.”

Identity built on associations instead of Christ.

Obsessing over Hebrew/Greek trivia

Word studies used to impress, not to obey.

More interest in hidden meanings than plain meaning.

Doctrinal hair-splitting

Endless debates over secondary issues while evangelism and holiness suffer.

“Truth anchors the soul. Error entertains the mind.”

So here is Paul’s point...vs.4b

II. FALSE DOCTRINE PRODUCES CONFUSION, NOT CONVICTION

(v. 4b)

Paul gives the result of this teaching:

1 Timothy 1:4 NKJV

4 ...which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

False doctrine:

Raises questions it cannot answer

Creates debates rather than devotion

Distracts rather than disciples

Truth builds faith. Error breeds argument.

2 Timothy 2:16 “16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”

Now back to 1 Tim. 1:4 - The phrase “godly edification” means spiritual building. This is what healthy doctrine is...

Healthy doctrine:

Builds Christlikeness

Strengthens obedience

Deepens faith

If teaching does not lead people toward God, it is not from God.

Transitional Thought: Paul now reminds Timothy why doctrine exists in the first place.

III. THE GOAL OF DOCTRINE IS LOVE FROM A TRANSFORMED HEART

1 Timothy 1:5 “5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,”

Paul gives us three evidences of sound doctrine:

Truth cleanses the inside. - “Love from a pure heart”

Psalm 119:9 NKJV

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

2. Truth aligns belief and behavior. “from a good conscience”

Acts 24:16 NKJV

16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

3. Truth produces real faith — not performance. “from sincere faith”

James 2:17 NKJV

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Key Truth: If doctrine does not produce love, it has missed its purpose.

Transitional Thought: But not everyone handles truth rightly.

IV. MISUSED TRUTH LEADS TO SPIRITUAL WRECKAGE

1 Timothy 1:6 “6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,

These teachers wanted status, not submission.

1 Timothy 1:7 “7 desiring to be teachers of the law,

They wanted influence without understanding.

James 3:1 NKJV

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

1 Timothy 1:7 “7 ...understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.”

They spoke boldly — but wrongly.

Sincerity does not equal truth. Passion does not equal accuracy.

Paul’s warning is clear:

Sound doctrine produces godliness

False doctrine produces confusion

The church must guard what it teaches

Doctrine is not an academic exercise — it is a matter of spiritual life and death.

The gospel is too precious to dilute. The truth is too powerful to distort. The church is too important to drift.

So...

Guard the truth

Love the truth

Live the truth

Because when doctrine goes bad — people get hurt. But when truth is preached — Christ is exalted and lives are changed.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, give us discernment to love truth more than novelty, and courage to guard the gospel entrusted to us. Keep our hearts pure, our consciences clear, and our faith sincere. May everything taught in this church lead us closer to Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.