Biblically speaking, "false teaching" is more than an incorrect propositional belief about some aspect of Christian doctrine. It is not a simple interpretive mistake; it is an act of volition that stems from spiritual immaturity, unbelief, arrogance, and illicit desire.

First, false teaching preys on the spiritually immature. Paul repeatedly expresses concern for the minds of believers who may be “led astray” by belief in a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel (2 Cor. 11:3–4; cf. Gal. 1:6–7).

Second, false teaching can be the product of distorted interpretations of Scripture by those not firmly established in the truth. Some pervert the meaning of Scriptures that are “hard to understand,” doing so “to their own destruction” (2 Pet. 3:16).

Third, false teaching grows out of ungodly ambition, ignorance, and conceit. Paul warned about those who “wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying” (1 Tim. 1:6–7).

Fourth, false teaching sometimes stems from a desire for material gain (2 Pet. 2:3; 2 Cor. 2:17). This tendency is very apparent in the modern world, where televangelists and prosperity preachers prey upon the underprivileged to finance their extravagant lifestyles.

Fifth, false teaching can result from and lead to inappropriate sensuality and sexual immorality (Rom. 16:18; 2 Pet. 2:2; Rev. 2:20; 2:14; Jude 16; 2 Tim. 4:3).

Sixth, false teaching is sometimes attributed to demonic deception. Some who depart the faith do so because they pay attention “to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1).

Seventh, false teachers seek to divide the body of Christ. Paul cautioned the church at Rome about “those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught” (Rom. 16:17).

Finally, false teaching can come from apostates and deviant teachers within the church. False teachers from “among the people [en tō laō] . . . secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Pet. 2:1).

"False teachings" do not describe the sorts of intramural conflicts that come between sincere, faithful believers who are devoted to Christ, Scripture, and the proclamation of the gospel.

Even believers who exhibit the fruit of the Spirit sometimes come to distinct conclusions regarding the meaning of biblical texts and doctrines.

John states that his “antichrist” opponents, those who deny Jesus is the Christ, came out of the fellowship with the churches because “they did not really belong” there in the first place (1 John 2:19).

In instances where theological matters of first importance are denied, rejected, or replaced, doctrine does divide the people of God from those who are not.