COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY

It has become Satan's weapon of choice. 

False prophets are using religion to spread 'egocentric' theology ... They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 1:4)

To inspire confidence that their deceptive teachings are of God, they often use the name of Jesus. He spoke of it ... In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9)

They are reprobate by nature ... They slander whatever they don’t understand and are destroyed by what they know instinctively (as though they were irrational animals). (Jude 1:10) 

Scripture pronounces doom on them because of their kinship to a 'terrible trio' of Old Testament figures ... Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. (Jude 1:11)

1. The way of Cain: 

Paved with human pride, it attempts to appease God by following manmade rules instead of coming to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Balaam's error:

He valued financial gain more highly than God's will, leading followers into a false sense of entitlement and moral decay. 

3. Korah's rebellion:

He assigned himself the role of a spiritual leader and rejected the teachings of those actually called by God.   

The Holy Spirit will prompt you when a message does not agree with Scripture. Knowing the Word of God is a safeguard against false doctrine ... Examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Be careful not to stray from the truth toward a teaching that appeals to your flesh.