5 Stages of Recovering From Wrong Doctrine

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Many Christians are sincere but sincerely wrong because they’ve been taught tradition instead of truth. When they encounter the message of grace through the apostle Paul, it shakes their foundation. Just like grief has stages, so does the process of letting go of false doctrine. Paul’s command is clear: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God… rightly dividing the word of truth.” Understanding dispensations requires humility, honesty, and hunger for truth.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗟 (𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗔𝗟)

People first dismiss dispensational truth, refusing to accept it.

They cling to traditions, saying “the whole Bible is for me,” without recognizing distinctions between Israel and the Body of Christ.

Dispensational view: This is the blindness Paul spoke of in 2 Cor. 4:4—spiritual veils must be lifted.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 (𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥)

When challenged, emotions flare. Believers get disturbed, attacking the messenger instead of the message.

Many accuse dispensationalists of being “hyper” or of ignoring Jesus’ words.

Dispensational view: Just as Israel resisted Stephen (Acts 7), religious minds resist Pauline truth.

𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 (𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚)

Here, people start deliberating: “But what about this verse? What about the prophets? What about Peter?”

They wrestle with verses that seem contradictory until they learn that right division removes contradictions.

Dispensational view: This is the Berean stage (Acts 17:11)—testing, questioning, and searching.

𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗥 (𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡)

When the truth sets in, sadness follows. They realize much of what they were taught was wrong.

Feelings of betrayal, regret, and confusion arise: “Do I have to relearn everything?”

Dispensational view: Paul himself counted his religious past as “dung” (Phil. 3:8). The old foundation must be torn down before the new one is built.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 (𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘)

At last, joy comes! They discover truth: the Body of Christ began with Paul, we are under grace not law, and Israel’s program is distinct.

The Bible now makes sense without contradictions.

Dispensational view: This is spiritual maturity—accepting Pauline revelation as the blueprint for the Body of Christ (Eph. 3:2–9).

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

The journey from wrong doctrine to right division is difficult, but worth it. From dismissal to discovery, the Holy Spirit leads us into truth when we humble ourselves to study God’s Word Paul’s way. Dispensational Bible study is not optional—it is obedience to 2 Tim. 2:15.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Study the Scriptures daily
Separate tradition from truth
Stand firm in grace, not law
Share Pauline truth boldly
Serve God with joy in right division

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:
Every believer is at one of these five stages. The question is: What stage are you on? Will you stay in denial—or move to discovery and live in the joy of rightly dividing God’s Word? See the videos below for more information and further explanation on this topic.