It was 2013 when LGBTQ activist Matthew Vines launched a ministry called the Reformation Project, whose sole agenda was to “advance LGBTQ inclusion in the church,” denying that the practice of homosexuality is sin. Since then, many churches have become fully LGBTQ-affirming, and many others are headed in that direction. The lie used to promote this agenda is that “God’s love demands it.” However, Scripture presents an entirely different message, explaining that godly love “does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6, NIV). The most unloving thing we could do is perpetuate this lie about LGBTQ practices such as homosexuality and transgenderism and deny those who are seeking redemption their first step of faith—repentance from sin. There is no salvation without it (Luke 13:3).
The propaganda about human sexuality disseminated through school curricula, literature, social media, television, movies, and especially shows marketed to children has successfully persuaded Western society to reject centuries-old, immutable biblical truth. Instead, people favor a destructive concept encapsulated in the popular catchphrase, “Love is love,” suggesting that any human expression of love should be accepted as sacred and virtuous. LGBTQ activism raises the age-old question, “Did God really say…?” echoing the deception that swayed our first mother, Eve. Today, for many, the authority of Scripture has been largely abandoned, or at least relegated to one source among several other sources of “truth,” such as personal experience and prevailing cultural opinion. Satan’s influence has corrupted and distorted mankind’s perception of the very word of God in his attempt to thwart the plan of redemption for humanity, established by God through Christ Jesus.
Unfortunately, there are many among us ready to spread this campaign of disinformation within the Church. The Apostle Paul warned us about this when he wrote, “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2, NASB). Doctrines of demons are any teachings that intentionally distort the declarations of God. Such teachings present ideas and practices that run counter to the true gospel. Paul’s example here describes how false teachers forbid marriage and certain foods. But elsewhere, Scripture shows that demonic influence lies behind all distortions of God’s truth—whether through “servants of righteousness” masquerading as light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), “another gospel” that twists Christ’s message (Galatians 1:6-9), or “the deep things of Satan” taught by false prophets (Revelation 2:24). The Galatians were swayed by this form of distorted messaging, and Paul rebuked them for it:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel—not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! (Galatians 1:6-8 NET)
In this day and age, Paul might have faced criticism from many church leaders for using such direct language. They might have said, “You know, Paul, we understand your point, but perhaps you could extend a bit more grace.” However, Paul was not the only one who spoke strongly against false teachers. Peter, too, explains how “they will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and engage in shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered” (2 Peter 2:1-2, NLT).
False teachers who endorse LGBTQ ideology slander God’s truth by spreading the lie that evangelical churches “hate gays” and want them “cast out of the church.” But it isn’t the Church condemning those grappling with same-sex attraction or transgenderism. Rather, it is these very false teachers who propagate a distorted theology which—if embraced—leaves the sinner condemned in their sins, hindering them from full repentance and redemption. While the world may embrace sin, the Church, motivated by Christ’s love for every member of humanity, strives to rescue those ensnared in sinful practices. Scripture poses a critical question: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived!” (1 Corinthians 6:9, NET). And who are the unrighteous? They are those who engage in sin—all forms of sin, including homosexual behavior. Without exception, all are guilty of sin. Thankfully, everyone is welcome in the house of the Lord, but those who refuse to repent of their sins will not receive the gift of salvation. False teachers who withhold or distort this vital truth are in grave danger of facing eternal judgment, both for themselves and for those who believe them.
Valid criticisms exist regarding how the Church has historically treated individuals struggling with same-sex attraction or transgenderism in contrast to other expressions of the sinful nature. Our approach to all sinners seeking redemption must be grounded in holy love, heavenly grace, and gentle correction. No one stands beyond the reach of God’s love. We are called to love others as God loves them, transcending any “us and them” divide. Paul explains, “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things” (Romans 2:1, NLT).
As followers of Christ, it is our responsibility to both declare and demonstrate to the world that God has saved us and desires “everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4, NLT). Though we were once enslaved to sin, the power of the Holy Spirit, who now dwells within us, has defeated sin cleanses us of our sinful nature.
Because we are loved by God, we are called to practice the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Christian author Warren W. Wiersbe once wrote, “Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy” (On Being a Leader of God. Baker Publishing, 2011). Today, many cry out, “If I have to change who I am, then God doesn’t really love me.” But the truth is, if God doesn’t change who we are, then we can never genuinely experience His perfect, holy love. This isn’t because He doesn’t love us—He does—but because we are incapable of receiving it until we surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and are remade into “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17). God’s love is a transforming power that sanctifies and restores His righteous, holy image within us, equipping us to receive and share His love.
How do we safeguard our churches against deception, and what is the biblical approach to dealing with false teachers? Some may argue that we should simply ignore them, believing they hold no real influence in the Church. This, however, is naïve and clearly not biblical thinking. The Bible provides strong guidance on how to address false teachers, and those of us who are leaders in the Church must follow it.
Be Vigilant
The first thing Scripture instructs us to do is to “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NLT). When we disregard the enemy and his agents—even those who may be unwittingly doing his bidding—we provide them full access to sabotage us from within. Paul warned, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30, NIV). These wolves among us are experts at deception. They may even believe their own lies, but it is not God who guides them: “For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15, NIV). We are called to diligently study God’s holy written word and pray for discernment so that we can identify deceptive teachings as they arise.
Silence False Teaching
We are directed to both refute and silence false teaching. While the notion of silencing someone might raise concerns, the context of the following passage does not imply blanket censorship. Instead, it pertains to removing the authority of such teachers from speaking to or on behalf of the Church body. The Apostle Paul instructed that elders “must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. They [false teachers] must be silenced because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain” (Titus 1:9, 11, NIV). Advocating for continual open dialogue runs counter to this command of God to the Church. Many among us, attempting to sound reasonable by recommending that we converse with and seek common ground with these deceivers, do not realize that they are directly contradicting God’s instructions to the Church—and in doing so, they become complicit themselves. John wrote in his second epistle, “If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work” (2 John 1:10-11, NLT). Every moment we allow false teaching to undermine the work of the Church, we permit the spread of corruption throughout the body of Christ.
Expose False Teachers
Not only are we instructed to refute and silence false teachers, but we are also called to expose them. When they persist in error, especially those who rise up from within our own ranks, we are to rebuke them publicly: as it is written, “Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others” (1 Timothy 5:20, NLT). Christian leaders are to be held to a higher standard. In Ephesians 5, Paul emphasizes that “there must be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people” (Ephesians 5:3, NLT). Homosexual behavior falls into the category of sexual immorality. To excuse it is to deny its sinfulness and face the same consequence as those who engage in it—they remain under God’s wrath. We are not to take part in the deeds of these false teachers but to expose their “evil intentions” by shining the light of truth on them (Ephesians 5:13).
Stand Firm
False teachers make themselves tools of a demonic agenda, and our response should be to stand firm without compromise on the truth of God revealed to us through the Scriptures. At the same time, we are to extend a welcoming embrace to all who seek redemption, free from judgment. No one alive is beyond the reach of God’s love, and we, as the hands and feet of Christ, must exemplify that love to the world through grace and understanding. This entails sharing the truth of the genuine gospel message: all have sinned, but through Christ’s sacrifice, those who repent of their sins and believe in Him gain “the right to become children of God” (John 1:12, NLT). The agenda at hand aims to normalize and legitimize LGBTQ practices, undermine Judeo-Christian family values, and delegitimize biblical truths concerning LGBTQ issues in both the mainstream arena and the Church. The leaders of the Church are entrusted with the role of guiding and protecting those under their care, shielding them from these wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15) who have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25, NET). This is the role of a shepherd appointed by God.