What Are the Differences Between the Real Gospel and False Gospels?

In these last days, deceptions are increasing and many other gospels are trying to supplant the real gospel, so how can we tell the difference between the real and the fake?

Almost Right

In these last days, deceptions are increasing and many other gospels are trying to supplant the real gospel, so how can we tell the difference between the real and the fake? I like what the late Prince of Preachers Charles Spurgeon once said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong; it is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” I am certain most of us would feel alarmed if we asked our surgeon, “How did my surgery go,” and he or she said, “We got it right…well, we almost got it right.” You want your pharmacist to be exactly right, don’t you? Close enough is not good enough. So how can you tell the difference between who’s preaching or teaching the biblical gospel and other gospels, which is no gospel at all (Gal 1:6).

Jesus + Something = Salvation

The Apostle Paul was explaining to the church in Galatia that there was a counterfeit gospel circulating around the area that was requiring believers to keep the Mosaic Law, like circumcision. However, it was like saying, you can be saved if you follow this equation: Jesus + Circumcision (the Law) = Salvation. No wonder Paul was aghast and wrote, “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” (Gal 1:6). It does happen quickly and often, the deceivers come from within the church. Paul warned that “fierce wolves” or “false teachers” would arise “among you,” meaning they would emerge from within the Christian community itself, after his departure (Acts 20:29-30). The false teachers will not come from without…but from “among you,” so we must be diligent.

Another (False) Gospel

The Apostle Paul was not saying that the other gospel that required works of the Law was actually the gospel, but that it had the appearance of the gospel, being more righteous if they keep the Law, so it’s “not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Gal 1:7). To distort something is to remake it or reshape it into another image or form, but the actual gospel is already perfect (John 3:16-17; Rom 3:23, 10:9-13). It is not broke so we don’t need to fix it or distort it. To change it is to take away grace, for then its works plus Jesus, and that’s not true salvation (Eph 2:8-9).

Accursed by God

We need to pray for these false teachers, for their judgment will be severe indeed, but no matter how well intentioned some teacher/pastors may be, Paul warns that “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” (Gal 1: 8). To be accursed is to be judged by God with eternal destruction; the strongest condemnation there is, so to reiterate the extreme importance of getting the gospel right, Paul writes, “As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:9). Twice Paul mentions that the person is “accursed” who brings “a gospel” that is “contrary to the one you received.” That’s why we need to pray for these souls.

Other Gospels Focus On

Wealth
Health
Seeds of Faith
5 Senses Involved
External Behavior
Appearance of Good
Neglect Repentance Messages
Jesus + Something You Have to Do
Baptism + Jesus
Tongues as Evidence of Real Conversion
You Are in Control
Receiving
Taking

The Real Gospel Focuses On

Repentance (daily)
Confession of Sin
Unworthiness of Man
Internal Change (circumcised heart)
Obedience to God’s Word
Sanctification (growing in holiness)
Esteeming Others Better Than Self
Humility
Love
Being Sacrificial
Giving
God is Sovereign

Final Thoughts

See how many of these are polar opposites of each other? Most of the other gospels focus on the outside or the exterior; however, we know that it’s not the outward appearance that counts but the inner man, woman or child. Jesus said some strong words to those who were thought by most to be the most holy of men in Judea, but in fact, were the worst sinners of all. Why? It’s because they thought they were righteous and in no need of forgiveness. Here, Jesus tells them the truth, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matt 23:27). You shall know them by their fruits, for the fruit reveals the root (John 7:15-20), but be careful because wax fruit looks great; but it’s highly deceptive. Looks are certainly not everything. It’s what’s inside the man or woman or child that matters. Jesus Himself warned that they will “come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt 7:15). We can’t seem them “inwardly” but we should be able to “recognize them by their fruits” (Matt 7:20), good or bad. Just because they call Jesus Lord doesn’t mean Jesus is their Lord (Matt 7:21-23).

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: How Can You Identify False Teachers or Pastors in a Church?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: false gospel, False Preachers, False Teachers, gospel, last days, prosperity gospel