The Doctrine of Perfection: A Dangerous Heresy

There’s a subtle but deadly teaching, often disguised as passion, holiness, or deeper commitment. It sounds spiritual. It uses Bible words. It even borrows the language of revival and surrender. But underneath the surface, it’s poisonous. I’m talking about the doctrine of perfection — the belief that a Christian can reach a state of sinless perfection in this life.

Let me say it plainly: this doctrine is heresy. And if not confronted, it will lead people into pride, deception, or despair.

What Is the Doctrine of Perfection?
Also known as sinless perfection, this teaching claims that after conversion — or after a second “blessing” of sanctification — a believer can live without sinning. That their heart can be completely pure. That the flesh can be entirely overcome. That a Christian can live a life without any trace of sinful thoughts, attitudes, or actions.

This idea gained popularity through some circles in the Holiness Movement and was influenced by certain interpretations of John Wesley’s “Christian perfection.” But even Wesley clarified that he wasn’t claiming absolute sinlessness. Many who followed the teaching, however, did — and that’s where it veered into error.

What About Matthew 5:48?
One of the most misused verses in defense of perfectionism is Matthew 5:48:
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

At first glance, that sounds like Jesus is calling us to sinless perfection. But that’s not what He meant — and context matters.

This verse comes at the end of a section in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus is teaching on love — particularly loving your enemies (Matthew 5:43–47). In the Greek, the word “perfect” (τέλειος / teleios) means complete, mature, or whole. It’s not about flawlessness — it’s about spiritual maturity, integrity, and love that reflects God’s character.

Jesus is calling His followers to reflect the Father’s complete love, not to claim they’ve arrived at sinless living.

Scripture’s Clear Teaching 
While we are called to be holy and to pursue righteousness, Scripture is abundantly clear that believers continue to struggle with sin in this life.

1 John 1:8 — “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
John was writing to Christians. No exceptions. If someone claims to be sinless, John says they are self-deceived.

Romans 7:15-25 — Paul describes a real, painful struggle: “I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”
This isn’t an unbeliever talking — this is the apostle Paul being honest about his daily war with the flesh.

Philippians 3:12 — “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect…”
If Paul didn’t claim to be perfect, how dare anyone else?

James 3:2 — “For we all stumble in many ways.”
The book of James, known for its emphasis on holy living, still makes this humbling admission.

Church History Has Rejected This
This isn’t a new problem.

In the 5th century, the Church condemned Pelagianism, which denied original sin and claimed humans could live sinless lives apart from grace. The Council of Carthage (418 AD) shut that down.

In the Holiness Movement of the 1800s, similar errors resurfaced. Some began teaching entire sanctification as the removal of the sin nature. Many faithful voices had to correct the excesses.

Even John Wesley, often quoted by those who teach perfectionism, didn’t believe Christians were free from all sin.

What Sound Theologians Have Said
John Calvin: “As long as we dwell in the prison of the body, we must continually contend with the defects of our corrupt nature.”
In other words, the flesh still battles us daily.

Martin Luther: “This life is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness… not yet being, but becoming.”
It’s a process, not perfection.

J.C. Ryle: “The holiest man has many a blemish and defect… The doctrine of perfection is not found in the Bible, and the man who teaches it is not guided by the Bible.”

CS Lewis: "[God] who will, in the long run, be satisfied with nothing less than absolute perfection, will also be delighted with the first feeble, stumbling effort you make tomorrow to do the simplest duty. As a great Christian writer (George MacDonald) pointed out, every father is pleased at the baby’s first attempt to walk: no father would be satisfied with anything less than a firm, free, manly walk in a grown-up son. In the same way, he said, “God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.” (Mere Christianity, 202–3)

The doctrine of perfection is not found in the Bible, and the man who teaches it is not guided by the Bible.

Why It’s So Dangerous
This heresy matters. It’s not a minor issue.

• It leads to spiritual pride- Believing you’ve “arrived” spiritually makes you blind to your need for grace.

• It creates hypocrisy- People start faking their righteousness to maintain the illusion of holiness.

• It crushes real believers- When people fail (and they will), they feel defeated, defective, and distant from God.

• It minimizes the ongoing work of Christ- The gospel isn’t just about starting right — it’s about sustaining grace every day.

What the Bible Does Teach
As believers, our aim should always be to turn from sin and walk in obedience. Jesus didn’t save us so we could stay in chains, He saved us to set us free. While we’re still in these fleshly bodies, we will stumble (1 John 1:8), but that doesn’t mean we make peace with sin. God’s command is clear: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). That’s not a suggestion—it’s a calling.

If we belong to Jesus, sin is no longer our lifestyle. We no longer live in rebellion (1 John 3:9–10). We might fall, but we don’t lay there. When we do mess up, we run to our Father, not away from Him. He’s faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9), and His grace gives us the strength to get back up and fight again (1 Peter 4:1–2).

And because He loves us, He disciplines us. He corrects us when we drift, not to condemn us, but to bring us back to life and truth (Hebrews 12:6–11). Why? Because His goal is bigger than our comfort, it’s Christlikeness. He’s shaping us, day by day, into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

This is the real Christian life. Not perfection. Not passivity. But progress. Powered by grace, driven by love, and marked by repentance.

A Pastor’s Heart for a Real Church
Church, I don’t want a culture of masks. I don’t want a room full of Christians pretending to be what they’re not. I want us to be honest, humble, and hungry for grace.

But let me also be clear: I don’t want a church that’s comfortable living in sin either. Grace doesn’t excuse rebellion; it empowers repentance. We’re not called to fake perfection, and we’re not called to settle for bondage. Sin is still sin, and we don’t play games with it.

We’re not perfect, but we are being perfected (Hebrews 10:14). And one day, when we see Jesus face to face, we will be like Him — but not yet (1 John 3:2).

Until then, we don’t fake it. We don’t boast in our flesh. We don’t claim to be sinless. And we don’t shrug off our sin. We cling to the only One who is perfect, Jesus, and we let His Spirit work in us daily.

Let’s be a church where it’s safe to confess, to struggle, and to change. Let’s be a people who walk in the light, not in illusion, and not in compromise. Because the gospel isn’t for those who have it all together, it’s for those who know they don’t and desperately want to grow.

Perfectionism is a lie. Casual Christianity is a trap. Grace is the truth. And I’m choosing the power and unmerited favor of grace every day.

In Love,

 Pastor Jody