Is Discernment Really a “Religious Spirit”?

Running this blog has been a deeply rewarding experience. I have received so much encouragement from readers who are grateful for the call to exercise biblical discernment. Yet, in the same breath, I have also encountered pushback. One of the frequent criticisms I receive is that I have a “religious spirit” or that I’ m being “pharisaical” all for simply urging believers to return to the authority of Scripture and sound theology.

It is because of this tension that I feel compelled to finally address why discernment against false teaching is not just necessary, but essential for every believer today. 

What is Discernment?

Before we go further, it’s important to define what we mean by discernment. Discernment is the ability to distinguish between truth and error, between what is from God and what is not. In the Christian life, discernment is grounded in God’s Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Thus, enabling believers to uphold sound doctrine, avoid deception, and walk faithfully in the truth.

Most people are surprised by this, but discernment is not a fringe topic in Scripture. It’s actually a major theme throughout the New Testament. In fact, out of the 27 books in the New Testament, only the book of Philemon does not address false teaching. What’s more, it’s important to remember that the majority of these books are letters written to churches. Yes, to believers! And it should deeply humble us to realize that even Spirit-filled, genuinely saved believers are not immune to the danger of deception. 

Sadly, I have often heard Christians assume that because they have the Holy Spirit, they are automatically marked safe from deception. However, if discernment was unnecessary, the Holy Spirit would not have inspired so many repeated warnings throughout the Scriptures. 

In this article, therefore, I want to walk through what the Bible says about false teaching. My prayer is that along the way, you will be able to see why bad theology is not a trivial issue. And why biblical discernment is an essential part of faithful Christian living.

1. Verses that Warn About Turning to a Different Gospel

One of the gravest dangers the New Testament warns against is the temptation to turn away from the true Gospel to a distorted or false version of it. The Apostle Paul, in particular, addresses this with urgent seriousness.

Galatians 1:6–9 is one of the clearest examples where he says:

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." (ESV)

Paul’s language here is strong and weighty. He does not merely say that those who preach a different gospel are mistaken, but are to be accursed. This is not just a mild warning. It is a pronouncement of divine judgment on anyone who would dare distort the saving message of Jesus Christ.

Notice, too, that Paul doesn’t leave room for sentimentality or excuses. Even if an angel from heaven were to preach a different gospel, we are to reject it. Period.

Another important passage is 2 Corinthians 11:3–4:

"But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough." (ESV)

Again, we see here that those who once held fast to the truth can be deceived. Furthermore, deception often looks very close to the truth. It offers a “Jesus,” a “spirit,” and a “gospel,” but not the true Christ, the true Spirit, or the true Gospel.

This goes to show that false gospels are subtle. They are not always obvious and blatant lies. Often, they are half-truths, distortions that are made to sound biblical and Christian but ultimately lead people away from Christ.

Discernment, therefore, is not optional. It is necessary to protect ourselves and others from drifting into spiritual ruin. Because turning to a different gospel is not a minor error but a departure from Christ Himself.

Related: What is the Message of the Gospel?

2. Verses that Warn About False Teachings, How Attractive They Are, and Why We Must Test Them

One of the sobering realities that the Scriptures point us to is that false teachings are not only present, but they are often appealing. 

For example, 2 Timothy 4:3–4 warns:

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (ESV)

Paul tells Timothy that a time will come when people will seek out teachers who tell them what they want to hear. As a result, discernment is crucial not because truth is complicated, but because error is often more attractive to our sinful nature. It caters to our passions, our greed, our pride, our desire for comfort and self-exaltation.

False Teaching Is Introduced Secretly

Another thing we need to recognize is that false teaching is often introduced secretly. False teachers don’t typically show up with horns and a pitchfork. Neither does false teaching announce itself with flashing lights. It creeps in quietly. In fact, Jude describes false teachers as having “crept in unnoticed.” in Jude 4.

As such, the real danger lies not in how obvious these teachers are, but in how they sneakily blend in, using the language of Christianity itself to introduce destructive heresies.

This is why 2 Peter 2:1–3 warns:

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words." (ESV)

Jesus confirms this in Matthew 7:15–16, when He warns us to:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits." (ESV)

False teachers often look harmless, they appear as “sheep”,  but inwardly, are dangerous predators looking to devour the flock

Another sobering warning about this from Jesus is found in Matthew 7:21–24, He says:

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" (ESV)

Not everyone who uses the name of Jesus truly belongs to Him. This is particularly important for us as African believers because we tend to be drawn to “Men of God” who claim the ability to perform signs and wonders or solve our problems. However, this passage shows us that miracles, signs, and wonders are not proof that someone is truly from God.

Test Every Spirit

Hence, why 1 John 4:1 commands us:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (ESV)

The Apostle John doesn’t say, “Just trust your feelings” or “If it sounds good or powerful, believe it.”
NO! We are instead commanded to test. To critically and biblically evaluate what we hear and see.

Acts 17:11 says:

"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (ESV)

The Bereans were considered noble because they didn’t even take Paul’s word blindly! They eagerly received his message but examined it carefully against Scripture. This should serve as an example for us today. Listen with eagerness, but always compare every teaching and claim in God’s name to His Word.

3. Verses that Warn About False Teachers and How We Are Commanded to Deal with Them

One of the most surprising things for me was realizing how harshly Scripture speaks about false teachers.
At a time when “niceness” is usually mistaken for true Christian love, many assume that calling out false teachers is judgmental, unloving, or divisive.

But Scripture paints a radically different picture. One that shows that God takes false teaching very seriously. Therefore, to tolerate it or remain silent is not gracious or godly. It is disobedient.

In light of this, let’s look at how the Bible actually speaks of false teachers:

Harsh Warnings and Condemnations of False Teachers

🔹 2 Peter 2:1–3 (again, but it deserves a second look):

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies... bringing upon themselves swift destruction... and in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." (ESV)

Here we see that swift destruction and condemnation are promised for false teachers. God is not passive toward them; judgment is already prepared.

🔹 Jude 4; 12–13

"For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (v. 4)

"These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves... wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever." (v. 12–13)

Jude describes false teachers with intense imagery: they are dangerous, shameless, and destined for eternal darkness.

🔹 1 Timothy 6:3–5

"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, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain."

Again, Paul doesn’t sugarcoat it: false teachers are arrogant and ignorant, often using religion for personal gain.

Instructions on How to Deal with False Teachers

🔹 2 John 9–11 

"Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." (ESV)

We are commanded not to welcome or affirm false teachers in any way. Supporting or endorsing them, even with simple hospitality or friendliness, is seen as sharing in their wickedness.

🔹 Titus 1:10–11

"For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers... They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach." (ESV)

Paul is clear: false teachers are to be silenced, not tolerated. Because their teachings upset (destroy) families and communities.

🔹 Romans 16:17–18

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." (ESV)

We are to watch out for and avoid those who promote false doctrine because they do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ but themselves.

🔹 Revelation 2:20

"But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants..." (ESV)

Why does Jesus rebuke the church in Thyatira? For tolerating a false teacher. While the modern church often sees “tolerance” of false teachers as a virtue or extension of grace, Christ sees it as rebellious.

Related: Why You Need to Know the Biblical Qualifications for Church Leaders

Jesus, Our Example…

It’s also worth noting that Jesus Himself was not soft or gracious in His response to the false teachers of His day; the Pharisees, scribes, and teachers of the law. In Matthew 23, He pronounced a series of woes upon them, calling them hypocrites, blind guides, fools, whitewashed tombs, and even likening them to snakes and a brood of vipers. In John 8, He went as far as to say they were of their father the devil, because they rejected the truth and would not hear His words. 

Far from being passive or tolerant, Jesus took a bold, uncompromising stance against those who twisted God’s Word and misled His people. If our Lord did not mince His words when dealing with false spiritual authorities, why should we hesitate to follow His example in standing firm against false teachers and fasle teachings?

Perhaps a passage that should serve as an encouragement for us to carry out this Christian duty is  Revelation 2:2, where Jesus commends the church in Ephesus for not bearing with evil men and for testing and rejecting false apostles. He says:

"I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false." (ESV)

This utterly destroys the notion that it is somehow “unchristlike” to confront or expose false teachers. In Scripture, discernment and intolerance of falsehood is praised, not condemned. And because Jesus Himself did it boldly and uncompromisingly, so should we.

4. Verses That Call Us to Defend the Gospel Against False Teachings

If you treasure something deeply, be it your family, your home, your life, you will protect it fiercely. Well, the Gospel is infinitely more precious than these things. It is the revelation of God’s love in Christ Jesus, the only message that saves. To distort it is to endanger souls. That’s why defending the Gospel is not optional for you and I; it’s essential. So let’s look at some of the key passages that urge us to do this:

🔹 Jude 3

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (ESV)

I want you to notice Jude’s urgency. He had initially intended to write a joyful letter about salvation, but the danger of false teachers forced him to change course and call believers to fight for the faith.

🔹 2 Timothy 1:13–14

"Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you." (ESV)

The Gospel is described as a deposit; something entrusted to us for safekeeping. Just like a soldier guards a fortress or a banker protects a vault, we are to guard sound doctrine.

🔹 Titus 1:9

"[An elder] must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." (ESV)

Here we see that it’s not enough for pastors and elders to preach sound doctrine, but they must also refute error.

🔹 Galatians 2:4–5

“Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom... to bring us into slavery—to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.”

Paul refused to compromise even an inch, for the sake of the truth of the Gospel. This is the calling of every believer: to stand for the truth, even if it costs us our comfort, reputation, or very lives. If we compromise now for the sake of “peace” or “unity,” we risk paving the way for confusion and error to continue taking root.

Related: Book Review: Stand Up for the Gospel (A Powerful Call to Defend the Faith )

Contend for the Truth with Love and Humility

Before I conclude, I must mention that even as we seek to defend the Gospel with boldness and take a firm stance against false teaching and false teachers, we must remember that the posture of our heart matters. Scripture calls us not only to speak the truth but to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). While we are to contend for the Gospel, we should do it with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). 

This does not mean we downplay the seriousness of error, but it does mean we avoid cynicism and a combative spirit. Our tone should reflect both the weight of truth and the compassion of Christ. Discernment should never become an excuse for spiritual pride, but a fruit of deep love for God, His Gospel, and those in danger of being deceived.

Conclusion

It has never been easy to stand for truth. But Scripture shows us that biblical love does not stay silent when the truth about Christ is under attack. It discerns, warns, and fights for what is good, right, and true.

Jesus Himself warned of false prophets. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked false teachers sharply.
John, the apostle of love, wrote a letter calling believers to test every spirit and to avoid fellowship with those who did not bring the true Gospel.

They did not see discernment as an optional extra for “critical Christians.”  They saw it as a vital act of obedience and love. A love for Christ, for the church, and for the lost. Because bad theology hurts people. It blinds them, imprisons them, and ultimately leads them to destruction. As such, false teaching is not a small matter. It’s a matter of life and death.

Discernment, then, is not a bitter spirit. It is not a “religious spirit.”  It is the Spirit of truth at work in the heart of believers who treasure the Gospel of Christ above all else. When we call out false teaching, when we refuse to compromise with error, we are not being Pharisees; we are being faithful to the Gospel. The only message that saves.

And when we endure the misunderstandings, the accusations, and the loneliness that sometimes come from standing for the truth, we can remember the words of Jesus:

"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven..." (Matthew 5:11–12)

Dear Christian,
Hold fast to the Gospel.
Love it. Cherish it. Defend it.

Because Christ is worthy.
Because souls are at stake.
Because the truth sets people free.

And remember, to let the Gospel be corrupted without protest is not humility; it is betrayal.

Recommended article: Christian, Do You Test Everything?