How do we know if a doctrine is really biblical?

from the old testament

• The need to be certain that a doctrine is biblical is critical. The Old Testament warns heavily against false teaching (Deuteronomy 13:1–3). Even if a prophet performs signs, he is to be rejected if his teaching contradicts what God has already revealed.
• Not only were false teachers to be rejected, but they were to be killed (Deuteronomy 13:5)!
• We are to compare what we hear or read to what the Bible says. The psalmist declares that the Word of God is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The guidance of Scripture is the revealed, written standard for life and belief.
• David explains, “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). By being “sure,” David means that it is perfectly reliable. Anything that Scripture says is true, and anything that contradicts it, is false.
• Isaiah rebuked those who looked to other authorities rather than “to the teaching and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn” (Isaiah 8:20). Doctrinal statements must be “according to this word” in order to provide true light. The Bible is the standard to which all teaching must conform!
• In Jeremiah 23:16–17, God warns, “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’” God was about to send them into captivity, but so-called prophets liked approval by men and women and were willing to pretend that God was going to save them when, in fact, God was preparing to do the exact opposite. This type of flattery is a caution to us to watch out for words of encouragement that contradict what God says!
• Proverbs 30:5–6 proclaims, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” All of Scripture is the word of God and therefore all doctrine must pass this test: is it clearly taught in Scripture or does this teaching add to or contradict it?

from the new testament

• Jesus frequently challenged the religious leaders for exalting traditions above the Word of God. In Matthew 15:9, He said, “In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” The spiritual leaders were teaching doctrines that men made up as-if God had taught them. Those who teach spiritual things are sometimes those we most need to be on guard against.
• Paul was an apostle, called out specially by God (Romans 1:1). Yet, the Bereans were commended in Acts 17:11 for testing Paul’s message against the Scriptures. They did not accept even the apostle’s teaching without first verifying it with Scripture and are a prime example of how Christians must evaluate doctrines.
• Paul exhorted Timothy to follow sound doctrine (2 Timothy 1:13–14). Sound doctrine is a sacred trust to be preserved and passed on. It is preserved by those who verify what they have received against the Bible’s teaching.
• Everything in Scripture is to be treated with the same authority of God because it is His breath (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Similarly, everything we need to know to live rightly is already in Scripture. Since we don’t need anything else, no doctrine is biblical if it cannot be drawn from the Word of God, rightly interpreted.
• A doctrine can never contradict what Scripture clearly teaches, even if the messenger is persuasive or appears authoritative (Galatians 1:8).
• Paul encourages believers to “grow up,” knowing Scripture so well that they will no longer be easily deceived by every teaching that comes along (Ephesians 4:14). Children refers to immature believers who are easily convinced that false things are true.

implications for today

Some doctrinal conclusions from Scripture might be debated. There are some things that are either not explicitly stated (voting in a democratic system, for example) or which are unclear (for example, the identity of the seven spirits in Revelation). Because of that, true believing Christians may come to different conclusions. Because of this, a level of charity is required when drawing applications or wrestling with opaque passages. However, when Scripture is clear (for example, that salvation is through faith alone), then there is no room for disagreement and any contrary teaching must be rejected.

In a world of endless voices, trends, and teachings—many of which sound biblical—it is critical for Christians to discern whether a doctrine is truly from God. This doesn’t just mean asking, “Is there a verse for that?” but rather, “Is this what the Bible actually teaches in context, and is it affirmed by the overall message of Scripture?”

Every believer must learn to handle God’s Word with care, seeking to understand what it meant to the original audience and how it fits into the broader redemptive story. Doctrines should always exalt Christ, depend on grace, and lead to greater obedience. If a doctrine downplays sin, marginalizes the gospel, or creates spiritual pride, it is almost certainly not biblical.

We must also be cautious not to elevate tradition, denominational distinctives, or personal experiences above the text of Scripture. Where the Bible is silent, we may have liberty, but where it speaks, our responsibility is to submit. Even when difficult or countercultural, the test of a doctrine’s truth is its alignment with God’s revealed Word.

Ultimately, the goal of sound doctrine is not intellectual pride but faithful living. Biblical doctrines shape the heart and mind to love God more deeply and walk in His truth. The Bible is clear, sufficient, and trustworthy. Our job is not to invent doctrines—but to discover what God has already said and faithfully believe it.