One of the most dangerous is a complacent heart. Like the church in Laodicea, who mistook material abundance for spiritual health (Revelation 3:17), we too are prone to self-deception. Even if our church culture no longer openly equates health and wealth with God’s blessing, we often replace that thinking with other faulty measures. In doing so we convince ourselves that we are “the people” and that the truth “will die with [us]” (see Job 12:2).
Many churches that pride themselves on biblical orthodoxy are prone to measuring faithfulness by a set of self-imposed "shibboleths" – tests of belonging that are not always derived from Scripture. Instead of holding ourselves accountable to the full plumb-line of the New Testament, it is all too easy to “cherry-pick” certain doctrines or practices we believe are most important. These supposed markers of orthodoxy can become a mixture of biblical truth and personal preference, as in the Lord’s day, when the Pharisees taught “as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).
Today, a church’s orthodoxy is sometimes judged by external practices: the version of the Bible read publicly, the style of clothing worn, the presence or absence of musical instruments, or even the hymnbook used. Beyond these outward markers there are more subtle, pseudo-spiritual tests involving theological systems – such as Calvinism, “Reformed doctrine”, or “church truth”, which can become the ultimate measure for determining faithfulness.
The Whole Counsel of God
Make no mistake – sound doctrine matters deeply. Aligning our theology with Scripture is non-negotiable. The New Testament does not offer a “pick-and-choose” list of doctrines based on personal preference. Faithfulness requires preaching “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and safeguarding “the good deposit” of biblical truth (2 Timothy 1:14 ESV). If the Spirit of God saw fit to reveal a truth in His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), we must not deem it optional or unimportant.
However, we must be vigilant against emphasising certain doctrines or practices arbitrarily, exalting some while neglecting others. For example, to highlight the doctrines of grace, believers’ baptism or gospel endeavour as the main tests of faithfulness, while neglecting other aspects of biblical teaching, is to create distinctions that the Word of God itself does not make.
Motive Matters
Another crucial principle we must pay attention to is the matter of motive. External conformity to biblical practices, such as the wearing of a head covering by a woman, can become meaningless if the heart denies the principle it symbolises, namely, female submission within the gathered church (1 Corinthians 11:2-16). Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, rebuked the Jews who boasted in circumcision while ignoring the reality of a circumcised heart (Romans 2:25).
It is entirely possible to conform outwardly to certain church practices, or to pontificate on doctrinal points, not out of conviction, but simply to fit in with a particular group. This behaviour is not driven by a desire for God's glory but by a subtle craving for personal approval. Outwardly, everything may appear correct, yet inwardly, motives can be deeply flawed. “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). What truly matters is not man’s assessment, but God’s.
Human Approval
The approval of men can be a subtle and dangerous snare. It is true that Timothy was “well spoken of by the brothers” (Acts 16:2), and “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). If my choices consistently conflict with the elders of my church or with mature and respected believers, I must consider whether I am deceiving myself. But the opposite is equally dangerous: allowing human approval to nullify the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in me.
The false apostles in Corinth were a prime example; they endorsed one another for preaching doctrine that aligned with their own opinions (2 Corinthians 10:12) and opposed the teaching of the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:4-5). Paul himself said that being judged by men was of little importance to him (1 Corinthians 4:3). Yet in many churches today, our “shibboleths”, the distinctives we believe set us apart from others, can become the ultimate measure of faithfulness. We may pride ourselves on these markers, looking down on those who fall short of them, all the while ignoring deeper issues. A person can be wrong on points of doctrine or live in ways inconsistent with holiness, but if they affirm the group’s shibboleths they are accepted and even applauded.
Paul warned Timothy of a time “when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3 NLT). False teachers speak what people want to hear, thereby securing popularity and platforms. By contrast, those who faithfully expose sin and confront error, and do not preach “smooth words” (Isaiah 30:10 AMP), risk unpopularity and the loss of opportunities to preach. The temptation to soften the message for a wider audience is strong, but it is a compromise that undermines true ministry.
The Judgement Seat in View
As we live and labour with the judgement seat of Christ in view, let us keep our aim clear: to hear the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). This cannot be achieved through partial obedience or through adherence to man-made standards of orthodoxy. It will only come through humble, sincere submission to “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), in doctrine (what we believe), in practice (what we do) and in heart (our intentions/motives).
