A Question of Discernment
Imagine you’re deciding whether to attend a church where the pastor heavily relies on teachings from Robert Morris rather than directly from Scripture. Perhaps you’ve seen his popular book, The Blessed Life: Unlocking the Rewards of Generous Living (Amazon link), touted as a guide to spiritual and financial blessing. It sounds appealing—until you dig deeper.
What if the Bible warns us that false teachers often pair deceptive doctrines with moral corruption, like sexual immorality? And what if Robert Morris, a prominent figure in modern Christianity, fits this pattern? Let’s explore the biblical evidence and see how it applies today.
The Biblical Pattern: False Teachers and Sexual Immorality
The New Testament doesn’t pull punches when it comes to false teachers. Time and again, it links their heretical teachings with a lifestyle of sin—particularly sexual immorality. Let’s unpack a few key passages:
- 2 Peter 2:1-3, 10-14
Peter warns of false prophets who bring “destructive heresies” and lead many into “depraved conduct” (v. 2, NIV). He gets specific later, calling them out for “indulging in the lust of defiling passion” and having “eyes full of adultery” (v. 10-14, NIV). These aren’t just theological errors; they’re lives steeped in sexual sin. - Jude 1:4, 7-8
Jude describes people who “pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality” (v. 4, NIV). He compares them to Sodom and Gomorrah—infamous for sexual perversion—and says they “pollute their own bodies” (v. 7-8, NIV). The connection is clear: false teaching often excuses or enables moral decay. - Revelation 2:14-15, 20-23
In letters to the churches, Jesus rebukes those who tolerate false teachings that lead to “sexual immorality” (v. 14, NIV). He calls out a prophetess named “Jezebel” for misleading people into the same sin (v. 20, NIV). The pattern holds: heresy and immorality go hand in hand. - 2 Timothy 3:1-9
Paul paints a picture of the last days, where people will be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (v. 4, NIV), preying on the vulnerable with “a form of godliness but denying its power” (v. 5-6, NIV). While not explicitly labeled false teachers, their behavior mirrors the same corrupt influence.
What ties these passages together? False teachers reject God’s authority—both in doctrine and in life. Their twisted beliefs often justify or mask a lifestyle of sin, especially sexual immorality. It’s a red flag woven through Scripture, urging us to watch not just what leaders teach, but how they live.
Enter Robert Morris: A Modern Case Study
Now, let’s bring this into 2025 with Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church and author of The Blessed Life. On March 12, 2025, Morris was indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in Oklahoma, stemming from allegations of abusing a 12-year-old girl, Cindy Clemishire, in the 1980s (Dallas News). He resigned from Gateway in June 2024 after the allegations surfaced, but the legal hammer dropped this year.
That’s the moral side—but what about his teaching? Morris has long been criticized for promoting a prosperity gospel, claiming God guarantees financial blessings for tithing. His book The Blessed Life (Amazon link) pushes this narrative hard, often twisting verses like Malachi 3:10 to suggest Christians are cursed if they don’t give 10%. Critics call it heresy, arguing it contradicts New Testament teachings on cheerful, not coerced, giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Here’s the kicker: Morris’s story fits the biblical pattern perfectly. Alleged false teaching—prosperity gospel and manipulative tithing doctrines—paired with sexual immorality, as evidenced by the child sex charges. It’s not just a fall from grace; it’s a cautionary tale straight out of 2 Peter and Jude.
Why This Matters for You
So, back to that church question: Should you sit under teaching shaped by someone like Robert Morris instead of Scripture? The Bible says no. False teachers don’t just mislead with words; their lives often reveal the rot beneath. Morris’s indictment isn’t an isolated incident—it’s a glaring example of why we must test both the message and the messenger (1 John 4:1). If a leader’s doctrine strays from Scripture and their life echoes the sins of 2 Peter’s false teachers, it’s time to walk away.
Discernment Over Deception
The Bible’s warnings aren’t ancient history—they’re alive in 2025. False teachers and heretics often cloak their immorality in spiritual language, but the fruit of their lives betrays them. Robert Morris, with his prosperity gospel and now his legal woes, is a sobering reminder. Don’t settle for slick books or charismatic sermons. Dig into Scripture, weigh the evidence, and choose truth over deception.
Your very soul depends on it.