Why Calling Out False Teaching About Demons Is Biblical Love

By Dave Jenkins | A Contending for the Word Feature

Is it unloving to warn others about false teaching—especially when it involves spiritual warfare, demons, and so-called deliverance ministries?

In an age where emotions often outweigh doctrine, many Christians are hesitant to speak boldly about theological error. Some worry they’ll be accused of being harsh or judgmental. Others are told, “That’s not loving,” or, “You’re attacking a fellow believer.”

But Scripture is clear: calling out false teaching—especially when it distorts the gospel and traps people in fear—is not unloving. It is an act of biblical love rooted in truth and a desire to protect Christ’s sheep.

The Bible Commands Us to Confront Error

Throughout Scripture, God’s people are instructed to stand for truth and correct error. Jesus did not shy away from this, and neither did the apostles.

• Matthew 23 – Jesus openly rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness.
• Revelation 2:20 – Jesus rebukes the church at Thyatira for tolerating a false prophetess.
• Galatians 1:6–9 – Paul says that anyone preaching another gospel is “accursed.”
• 2 Timothy 4:2–4 – Timothy is commanded to “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” with the truth of God’s Word.

Correcting doctrinal error isn’t about picking fights. It’s about faithfulness to God’s Word and love for His people. Yes, it must be done with gentleness (2 Timothy 2:25), but it must be done.

Why Modern Demonology Errors Must Be Addressed

False teachings about demons are spreading rapidly through social media, conferences, and churches—often disguised as revival or healing ministries.

Prominent voices in the “deliverance movement” teach that Christians can be demon-possessed, that demons have “legal rights,” and that trauma or generational curses give demons access. These teachings are not only unbiblical—they’re dangerous.

For Example:

• Isaiah Saldivar frequently teaches that believers need repeated exorcisms.
• Alexander Pagani links personal trauma to demonic bondage.
• Vlad Savchuk teaches that Christians may unknowingly carry demons until they’re cast out.

These ideas often rely on dreams, impressions, or supposed new revelations—not Scripture.

What the Bible Says:

• Romans 8:9 – The Holy Spirit dwells in every true believer.
• 1 John 4:4 – “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
• Colossians 1:13 – God has “delivered us from the domain of darkness.”

Christians can struggle with sin and temptation—but they cannot be possessed by demons. Teaching otherwise undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work.

Church History: Bold Love That Spoke Truth

Faithful shepherds throughout church history have lovingly—but firmly—stood against theological error.

• Athanasius defended the deity of Christ against the Arian heresy.
• Martin Luther stood against Roman Catholic error and mystical superstition.
• Charles Spurgeon warned of teachers who “talk much about the Spirit but little of Christ.”

“The truth is not always welcome, but it is always needed.” – Charles Spurgeon

Love for Christ and His people compels shepherds to speak up when wolves threaten the flock.

Isn’t Calling Out False Teaching Unloving?

Biblical Love Speaks the Truth

• 1 Corinthians 13:6 – Love rejoices in the truth, not in wrongdoing.
• Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”

When we ignore false teaching in the name of “niceness,” we allow others to remain in bondage. That’s not compassion—it’s compromise.

Correction Must Be Humble, Not Harsh

Our tone matters. We are not above others—we are servants of Christ. The goal is not to shame, but to restore and protect.

We call out false teaching because we care about truth, about the gospel, and about the souls of those being misled.

Biblical Spiritual Warfare vs. Modern Deliverance Errors

What the Bible Teaches:

• Ephesians 6:10–18 – Put on the full armor of God: truth, righteousness, faith, the gospel, Scripture, and prayer.
• James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
• Colossians 2:15 – Christ has already triumphed over every spiritual power.

Spiritual warfare is not about deliverance rituals. It’s about standing firm in the truth, resisting temptation, and trusting the sufficiency of Christ.

“Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.” – William Cowper

What Modern Deliverance Movements Teach:

• Weekly deliverance sessions for Christians
• Sensational events like fire tunnels, screaming, or prophetic theatrics
• Heavy reliance on emotion and “legal rights” instead of Scripture

These practices distort the gospel, create fear, and distract from real discipleship.

Recognizing False Christian Movements

Scripture tells us to test every spirit (1 John 4:1), examine fruit (Matthew 7:15–20), and guard the truth (2 Timothy 1:14).

Common Marks of False Movements:

• Extra-biblical authority – Elevating modern revelation over Scripture
• Doctrinal error – Denial of essential Christian truths
• Celebrity leadership – Leaders who are above correction
• Emotional manipulation – Stirring feelings over sound teaching
• Prosperity promises – Giving for blessings or “breakthrough”
• Unaccountability – No oversight or correction
• Sectarianism – Claiming elite access to spiritual truth

Historical Warnings:

• Montanism – Claimed new prophecies equal to Scripture
• Shepherding Movement – Elevated legalism and control
• Latter Rain Movement – Emphasized restored apostles and ongoing revelation

“If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” – Galatians 1:9

How Christians Can Respond

• Be Grounded in the Word – Test everything against Scripture.
• Submit to a Biblical Church – Be under godly oversight.
• Watch the Fruit – Sound doctrine leads to godly character.
• Reject the Spectacle – The gospel doesn’t need hype.
• Defend Sound Doctrine – Speak the truth in love.

Stay Anchored in Christ

We live in a time of spiritual confusion. But Jesus has not left us in the dark. He has given us His Spirit, His Word, and His Church.

Be discerning. Be humble. Be faithful.

“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” – Charles Spurgeon

📖 Stay anchored to truth.
⚔️ Contend for the faith.
🕊️ Cling to Christ.

For more on this topic check out Justin Peters excellent work on this topic at our YouTube.

Check out Contending for the Word podcast.