J.C. Ryle: Be On Guard Against False Teachers

Unsound faith will never be the mother of really sound practice, and in these latter days, departures from the faith abound. See then that your loins are girt about with truth (Ephesians 6:14), and be very cautious about receiving anything that cannot be proved by the Bible. Do not think for a moment that false doctrine will come right up to you and say, “I am false doctrine, and I want to come into your heart.” Satan does not work in that way. He dresses up false doctrine like Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30). He paints her face, adorns her head, and tries to make her look like truth. Do not think that those who preach error will never preach anything that is true. Error would do little harm if that were the case. Error will come before you mixed with much that is sound and scriptural. The sermon will be all right except for a few sentences. The book will be all good except for a few pages. This is the main danger of religious error in these times. Like the subtle poisons of days gone by, it works so deceitfully that it throws men off their guard. Friends, take care. Remember that even Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Keep clear of any system of religion that confounds the world and true believers, and makes no broad distinction between those who are true children of God in a congregation and those who are not. Do not be carried away by an appearance of great self-denial and humility. It is far easier to fast, wear sackcloth, and put on a sad face than to thoroughly receive the doctrine of justification by faith without the deeds of the law.

Do not call any man on the earth “Father.” Do not build your faith on any minister or group of ministers. Do not let any man become your pope. Do not make any living Christian your standard of what is right in faith or practice, however high his name, his rank, or his education. Let your creed be the Bible and nothing but the Bible, and your example be Christ and nothing short of Him.

Be careful that your minds are not corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Be careful what books you read on religious subjects. Many books of this day are leavened with doctrines that spoil the gospel. Check yourselves often to see if you are standing in the old paths. Our lost state by nature, our redemption through our Savior’s kindness and love, our need of regeneration and renewal, our justification through grace – these are the grand doctrines as Paul told Titus, and these are the points on which we must be sound if we want to maintain good works.

Adapted from Living or Dead?: A Plea for Wholehearted, Genuine Christianity by J.C. Ryle