Common Examples That Compromise Biblical Doctrine and How
Compromising Biblical Doctrine: Examples and Consequences
The Bible warns against adding to or subtracting from its teachings, emphasizing the importance of adhering to its doctrine [2]. Compromising biblical doctrine can occur through various means, including the introduction of traditions that contradict or overshadow God's law. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their traditions that nullified God's commands, such as the practice of Corban, which allowed individuals to dedicate their resources to God while neglecting their obligations to their parents (Mark 7:9-13) [3, 4].
One common example of compromising biblical doctrine is the reliance on human traditions rather than Scripture. The Israelites' history is replete with instances where they prioritized their own practices over God's commands, leading to divine displeasure (Psalm 78:10) [6]. Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah lamented the people's rejection of God's law and their adoption of pagan practices (Jeremiah 5:7) [7]. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul warned against being "carried aside" by diverse and strange teachings that deviate from the faith (Hebrews 13:9) [8].
Another example is the failure to uphold God's law in the face of adversity or personal convenience. The Israelites' murmuring against Moses and God's provision in the wilderness is a classic illustration of this tendency (Exodus 15:24) [9]. Such behavior not only compromises biblical doctrine but also undermines faith and trust in God's sovereignty.
The consequences of compromising biblical doctrine can be severe. The Bible warns that disobedience to God's commands provokes His anger and forfeits His favor (1 Samuel 13:14; Psalm 78:10, 40) [1, 6]. Moreover, compromising biblical doctrine can lead to a watering down of the faith, making it vulnerable to further deviations and errors. As John Gill notes, departing from God's law and denying the Lord can have far-reaching consequences, including spiritual decay and apostasy (Isaiah 59:13) [5].
The biblical emphasis on adhering to God's law and avoiding human traditions that contradict it is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The Psalmist extols the virtues of those who walk in God's law and keep His covenant (Psalm 78:10; 89:29) [6, 10]. In contrast, those who forsake God's law and follow their own ways are warned of the consequences of their actions (Psalm 78:10; Jeremiah 5:7) [6, 7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Disobedience to God — Provokes his anger -- Ps 78:10,40; Isa 3:8. Forfeits his favour -- 1Sa 13:14. Forfeits his promised blessings -- Jos 5:6; 1Sa 2:30; Jer 18:10. Brings a curse -- De 11:28; 28:15. A characteristic of the wicked -- Eph 2:2; Tit 1:16; 3:3. The wicked persevere in -- Jer 2:21. Heinousness of, illustrated -- Jer 35:14. Men prone to excuse -- Ge 3:12,13. Shall be punished -- Isa 42:24,25; Heb 2:2. Acknowledge the punishment of, to be just -- Ne 9:32,33; Da 9:10,11,14. Warnings against -- 1Sa 12:15; Jer 12:17. Bitter results of, illustrated -- Jer 9:13,”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Galatians 3:17 cross-references: Genesis 15:13, Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:19, Exodus 12:40, Numbers 23:19, Numbers 30:8, Job 40:8, Psalms 33:10, Isaiah 14:27, Isaiah 28:18, Luke 1:68, John 1:17, John 8:56, Acts 7:6, Romans 3:3, Romans 3:25, Romans 4:13, 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Corinthians 7:29, 1 Corinthians 10:19, 2 Corinthians 1:20, 2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 3:15, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 4:17, Colossians 2:4, Hebrews 6:13, Hebrews 7:18, Hebrews 11:13, Hebrews 11:17, Hebrews 11:39, 1 Peter 1:11, 1 Peter 1:20”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 7:9: 7:9-13 Next, Jesus provides an instance where the Pharisees’ traditions contradicted God’s law and allowed them to sidestep its requirements.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 7:13: 7:13 The result of such traditions was to cancel the word of God. • only one example among many others: It was not an isolated instance; see, e.g., Isa 1:10-20; 58:1-14.”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 59:13: In transgressing and lying against the Lord,.... The word of the Lord, as the Targum; they transgress the doctrine of Christ, as well as the law of God, and deny him the only Lord God, even our Lord Jesus Christ, his proper deity, his righteousness, and satisfaction, which is notorious in our days; so the Syriac version renders it, we have denied the Lord; the Lord that bought them: this is the case of many under a profession of Christ: and departing away from our God: from following him, from walking in his ways, from attending his worship, word, and ordinances;”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:10: They kept not the covenant of God,.... Either the covenant of circumcision, which was neglected during their travels through the wilderness, Jos 5:5 or the covenant made with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, Exo 24:7 and this is to be understood not of the children of Ephraim only, but of the Israelites in general, who in many instances broke the covenant, and were not steadfast in it, Psa 78:37; see Gill on Jer 31:32. and refused to walk in his law; the law of God, which was given forth by him, by the disposition of angels, through the hands of a mediator, Mos”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 5:7: 5:7-8 These verses list the evidence of sins the people had committed, including rejection of the Lord, submission to pagan deities, and sexual misconduct (7:9; 12:16; Num 25:1-3; Deut 32:21; Josh 23:7; Zeph 1:5; Gal 4:8). Idolatry and adultery were closely connected in Israel because both represented the breach of an exclusive covenant.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 15:24: 15:24 Instead of reflecting on the lessons of faith so recently experienced, the people lost heart and began to complain, as we often do under adverse circumstances. If this complaining becomes a pattern, disaster can befall us in the ultimate test, as it did the Israelites (see Num 14; Ps 95:7-11; Heb 3:7-11).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 89:29: If his children forsake my law,.... The same with the seed before mentioned, the children of the Messiah: it is not said "if he forsakes", which cannot be supposed of Christ, because he knew no sin, nor did any; which yet might be supposed of David, had he been literally meant; but not he, nor his natural children, but the spiritual seed of mystical David, are here designed, who may sin, and do sin, of which there is too much proof and evidence; and who sin not only through infirmity, but sometimes very grossly, and which sins are here expressed by various phrases: t”