In many church communities, deeply ingrained belief systems can subtly shape behavior, expectations, and even theology.
While some of these beliefs are rooted in Scripture, others may arise from tradition, culture, or human agendas, often going unnoticed or being misidentified as biblically grounded.
When these beliefs are used to control or shame congregants, they can distort the gospel and hinder spiritual growth. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to identify these patterns, discern their origins, and guide the church back to the simplicity of Christ. This post explores how to recognize such beliefs, who they serve, and practical steps to restore a Christ-centered focus.
Returning to the Simplicity of Christ
Identifying Problematic Belief Systems
Unscriptural or misidentified beliefs often hide in plain sight, embedded in church culture or presented as “common sense” spirituality.
My Christian journey began in the Conservative Baptist church, later leading me to the Charismatic ‘Word of Faith’ movement. Eventually, I joined a non-denominational church, where I remained until I became the pastor’s wife after the previous pastor stepped down due to moral failure. Each of these churches professed Christ as Savior, aimed to appear godly, and was deeply convinced that their approach to faith was the correct one.
Over time, I encountered conflicting messages, troubling behaviors, and toxic individuals who claimed to be Christians. Now, at over 70 years old, I’ve observed recurring patterns I’d like to share. In each church, truth coexisted with inflated egos, toxic beliefs, and peculiar doctrines.
Here are some common examples and how they manifest:
Performance-Based Acceptance: The belief that God’s favor or salvation depends on strict adherence to rules, attendance, or visible acts of piety. This can lead to shame for those who struggle or don’t conform.
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- Signs: Phrases like “You’re not doing enough” or “Real Christians don’t struggle with X.”
- Scriptural Misuse: Taking verses like Matthew 5:48 (“Be perfect”) out of context to demand flawless behavior.
Hierarchical Control: The notion that certain leaders or roles inherently carry more spiritual authority, discouraging questioning or independent discernment.
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- Signs: Leaders dismissing concerns with “God placed me in authority” or fostering dependency on their guidance.
- Scriptural Misuse: Misapplying Hebrews 13:17 (“Obey your leaders”) to silence dissent.
Shame-Driven Morality: Using guilt or fear to enforce behavioral standards, often focusing on external appearances rather than heart transformation.
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- Signs: Public call-outs for sin, judgmental attitudes toward certain struggles (e.g., addiction, divorce), or equating doubt with weak faith.
- Scriptural Misuse: Weaponizing passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 to exclude rather than restore.
Prosperity or Success Metrics: The belief that spiritual faithfulness guarantees material wealth, health, or social status, shaming those facing hardship as “lacking faith.”
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- Signs: Emphasis on tithing for blessings or equating suffering with divine disfavor.
- Scriptural Misuse: Twisting John 10:10 (“abundant life”) to prioritize earthly gain.
Whether it was the unrealistic expectation of perfect behavior or extravagant displays of ‘faith,’ it took me years to stop labeling myself a ‘Doubting Thomas’ and trust the unease in my spirit. My doubts were justified—the fruit of these efforts was rarely evident. Attempts at perfection (outshining others) or miraculous acts (praying, fasting, shouting, waving hankies, and other dramatic behaviors) seldom delivered as promised. Yet those in the pulpit or on stage appeared convincing and highly successful. Hmm.
Key Questions to Discern Origins
To identify whether a belief is scripturally sound, ask:
- Who benefits? Does the belief primarily serve the institution, leaders, or a specific group, or does it glorify Christ and edify the body?
- Who is the focus? Is Christ at the center, or is the focus on human effort, status, or conformity?
- Does it align with Scripture? When examined in context, does the belief reflect the whole counsel of God, particularly the gospel of grace?
- Does it produce fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23 lists love, joy, peace, and other traits. Does the belief foster these, or does it breed fear, shame, or division?
If a belief primarily benefits human structures, focuses on performance over grace, or contradicts Scripture’s emphasis on love and redemption, it may be a tool for control rather than a reflection of Christ.
As I rose through the church’s ‘ladder of success and status,’ I gained a troubling glimpse ‘behind the curtain.’ The weight of massive bills—mortgages, salaries, utilities—combined with the pressure to embody ‘perfect’ leadership and unwavering faith created a dangerous recipe for failures, ranging from minor missteps to catastrophic consequences.
Steps for Leaders to Address Harmful Beliefs
When problematic beliefs are identified, leaders must act with humility, wisdom, and courage. Here’s a practical framework:
Self-Examination and Prayer
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- Reflect on your own beliefs and biases. Are you perpetuating unscriptural patterns? Seek God’s guidance through prayer and study (Psalm 139:23-24).
- Consult trusted peers or mentors outside your immediate context for perspective.
Study Scripture in Context
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- Revisit passages used to justify the belief. Use reputable commentaries and study tools to ensure accurate interpretation.
- Example: If a belief hinges on a single verse, examine its broader context and cross-reference with other Scriptures.
Engage in Open Dialogue
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- Create safe spaces for congregants to voice concerns or questions about church practices. Host Q&A sessions or small groups to discuss beliefs openly.
- Model humility by admitting when a belief may have been misapplied.
Address the Belief Publicly
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- Preach or teach on the topic, contrasting the problematic belief with the gospel. For example, counter performance-based acceptance with Ephesians 2:8-9 (salvation by grace).
- Acknowledge harm caused by the belief, apologizing if necessary, to rebuild trust.
Implement Structural Changes
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- If a belief is embedded in church policies (e.g., shaming discipline practices), revise them to align with restorative, Christ-centered principles.
- Train leaders to recognize and avoid control or shame tactics.
When a congregation is discouraged from critical thinking and taught to obey ‘authority’ without question, a cult-like environment emerges. The less they question, the more they rely on leaders for direction, permission, and answers, often neglecting to study scriptures or research independently. Leaders prioritizing appearances over personal growth or humility raise red flags. As my ‘status’ in the church grew, I faced expectations to dress the part, regardless of my financial means. Once, I was handed a thick book on women’s etiquette because my style was deemed too ‘casual’ for my role. (I never read it.) On another occasion, wearing a stylish white pants outfit I loved, I stood next to the senior pastor’s wife (I was an associate pastor’s wife). She whispered, ‘You’ll never attract rich people dressed in pants like that.’ I was stunned—was attracting the wealthy our priority, not serving all people?
Educating the Congregation
Returning to the simplicity of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3) requires intentional education to help congregants discern truth and embrace grace. Here’s how to begin:
Teach the Gospel’s Core
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- Emphasize that Christ’s finished work on the cross is the foundation of faith (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). Salvation and God’s love are not earned but received.
- Use sermon series to unpack themes like grace, identity in Christ, and freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Equip for Discernment
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- Teach congregants to study Scripture themselves, using tools like inductive Bible study or apps like Blue Letter Bible.
- Encourage questions and provide resources to explore tough topics, fostering a culture of curiosity over conformity.
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Highlight Redemptive Stories
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- Share testimonies of God’s grace in the face of failure or struggle, showing that Christ meets people where they are.
- Example: Highlight biblical figures like Peter, who was restored after denying Jesus (John 21:15-19).
Model Vulnerability
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- Leaders should share their own journeys of unlearning harmful beliefs, demonstrating that growth is a process.
- Create environments where doubt or struggle is met with compassion, not judgment.
Focus on Christ’s Simplicity
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- Regularly return to Jesus’ teachings, such as the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which prioritize love, humility, and trust in God.
- Simplify church programs to focus on worship, community, and mission, reducing emphasis on performance metrics.
A woman in our church excitedly shared news of a popular evangelist and teacher visiting our city. She raved about this woman’s visions, heavenly visits, and divine secrets, her eyes sparkling with admiration. Yet, as she spoke, a red flag surged within me. She barely mentioned Jesus Christ or God the Father, except to say they had personally invited this evangelist to heaven. The preacher’s messages seemed designed to draw attention, fame, and wealth to herself. Soon after, I stumbled across a website dedicated to exposing “false prophets” and preachers within Christianity. To my shock, it listed many of my favorite figures. The accusations were alarming and infuriating. Yet, I couldn’t deny the truth in some of them.
Then a question struck me: Who appointed this website’s author as judge and jury? Is he claiming to be holier or wiser than those listed? Why should I trust him? Almost instantly, another thought followed: If this were your website, how would you warn others? That question sparked a quest for answers I hadn’t found in any church I’d attended—answers I should have been taught. If I ran such a site, I’d focus on teaching people to recognize patterns of toxic and false teachings, empowering them to discern truth for themselves. After all, isn’t that what 2 Timothy 2:15 calls us to do? To “study to show yourself approved, rightly dividing the Word of truth”?
Who Benefits, Who Is the Focus?
A Christ-centered belief always points back to Jesus as the source, focus, and beneficiary of glory. If a belief elevates human leaders, institutions, or external markers of “success” over Christ, it’s a red flag. For example:
- A belief that demands unwavering loyalty to a pastor benefits the leader, not the congregation or Christ.
- A focus on perfect attendance or tithing as proof of faith shifts the spotlight to human effort, overshadowing grace.
- Conversely, a belief in salvation by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) benefits all believers, focuses on Christ’s sacrifice, and glorifies God.
Moving Forward
Addressing unscriptural beliefs is not a one-time fix but an ongoing journey of discernment and renewal. Leaders must remain vigilant, fostering a culture where Scripture is the ultimate authority and Christ’s love is the guiding principle. By identifying who benefits from a belief and who it centers on, churches can dismantle patterns of control or shame and return to the simplicity of the gospel.
Let’s commit to being communities that reflect Jesus’ heart—marked by grace, truth, and love. As Paul wrote, “For freedom Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). May our churches be places where that freedom reigns.
What steps have you taken to address harmful beliefs in your community? Share your thoughts below!