Doctrines Of Demons

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." (NKJV)

Recently I wrote another posting on "demons" titled "Demons Today" (here). In this posting I want to focus on how demons are behind the proliferation of Christian cults (not to mention non Christian religious cults) and false doctrines, and show that many heretics are demon possessed or demon influenced.

Let us first begin by asking - What kind of Genitive is intended by the words "doctrines of devils"? Do the words mean "teachings concerning demons" or "teachings by demons"?

Wrote Albert Barnes:

"This may either mean teachings "respecting" demons, or teachings "by" demons. The particular sense must be determined by the connection. Ambiguity of this kind in the construction of words, where one is in the genitive case, is not uncommon...Instances of the construction where the genitive denotes the "object," and should be translated "concerning..."

"Whether the phrase here means that, in the apostasy, they would give heed to doctrines "respecting" demons, or to doctrines which demons "taught," cannot, it seems to me, be determined with certainty. If the previous phrase, however, means that they would embrace doctrines taught by evil spirits, it can hardly be supposed that the apostle would immediately repeat the same idea in another form; and then the sense would be, that one characteristic of the time referred to would be the prevalent teaching "respecting" demons. They would "give heed to," or embrace, some special views respecting demons."

I tend to agree with the majority interpretation that the words mean "doctrines coming from demons." Yet, both interpretations are true. In other words, in the latter days, vast numbers of people will both embrace heresies coming from demons as well as heresies concerning demons. Let me focus on the former, however.

The source of false doctrine is demonic. These false doctrines are "inventions" of men who are "inspired" by demons.

"Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions." (Psa 99:8)

"Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them." (Psa 106:29)

"Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions." (Psa 106:39)

"Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." (Ecc 7:29)

Said Dr. Gill on Psa 106:29:

"All false doctrine and false worship are of men's finding out; all idolatrous practices are their inventions, and which are here intended."

The apostle Paul speaks of "inventors of evil things." (Rom 1:30) Surely this would include inventors of false doctrines, inventors of ways to change the meaning of words to alter the original meaning of the text of scripture, inventors of ingenious Sophistic "interpretations" of biblical texts.

Here is what I wrote several years ago in chapter seven of "The Hardshell Baptist Cult" and titled "Time Salvation A Novel Idea":

This is where a cunning and devilish mind "invented" a "new" doctrine, for the purpose of defending "anti-means" in the face of passages that clearly teach the use of them. It was "sophistry" at its best. It was invented to simply win an argument and not from an honest genuine conviction that Hardshellism is taught in the Scriptures.  (See here)

They "invented" a new doctrine when they came up with their "time salvation" ideology.

Paul uses the plural for "doctrines" when he speaks of "doctrines of demons." Why is the plural used instead of the singular "doctrine" in this passage? Wrote one writer:

"Have you ever noticed that when the inspired word makes reference to the teachings of God or Christ, it always uses the word "doctrine" (singular). For example, "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). Or, "showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God" (Titus 2:10).

Contrast this with references to the teachings of men — the Bible typically uses the word "doctrines" (plural). Notice:

"But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men" (Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7)

"(Which all refer to things destined to perish with use) — in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men" (Colossians 2:22)

"…paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1)

"Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings" (Hebrews 13:9)

Have you any ideas about why there is this different usage of words in the New Testament? Here's a simple suggestion:

God and Jesus have only one doctrine. There is no contradiction. All of the teaching that comes from them is completely harmonious. Men have many doctrines. They are confusing; they do not agree with one another; there is tremendous contradiction. This easily applied rule can be a great help to us as we seek the truth. If something is from God, it conforms to all other aspects of truth. On the other hand, if we are unable to harmonize something we believe with other things taught in God's word, it should warn us to look deeper — there is a problem with some part of our understanding. It's a simple point, but one that lots of folks need to learn!" (see here)

Be careful my brothers with being inspired by demons in your interpretation of scripture. Demons, like Satan their master, know the scriptures well, and they know how to confuse the mind as it ponders the word of God. These demons whisper in the ear as you read saying "that does not mean what you think it means, but it means this." The leading of demons and of the sinful flesh and mind is to twist or distort what is read in Scripture. Be careful with holy scripture. Have an honest and sincere heart as you read and study and be on guard that your understanding is coming from the Holy Spirit rather than an evil spirit.