Friday, July 6th, 2007
This is part 2 in a series about false teachers as described in the Bible. You can see part 1 here.
In this article I wish to show the Bible teaches the following:
- We are warned of False teachers many times in the Bible
- Many will follow these false teachers
- False teachers will take your money, while stirring up covetousness in the hearers
- It is a very serious thing to be led astray by a false teacher – we are responsible to seek sound doctrine
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15
Perhaps the most recognized warning of false teachers in the Bible. Jesus warns us to look out for people who look like, sound like, act like and to all outward appearance seem to be prophets of Jesus Christ. The sad part is, they are not of Jesus Christ.
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Peter warns us of the false teachers where:
- They will bring damnable heresies
- Many will follow them
- Make up stories to stir up covetousness (promises of wealth?)
- And take money from the people
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:17-18
According to Paul in Romans, false teachers will teach things outside of sound doctrine and with charisma will deceive the simple.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:11
Again, we see many prophets will arise, and many will follow them.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. Titus 1:10-11
It looks like they are after your money again. Look out for those who ask you for money every chance they get. We should be generous and freely give, but I went to a church where the #1 topic was money and how we should give to the church. Not balanced doctrine.
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Timothy 6:5
Here we have people telling us if we are godly, then we will get wealth. We are told to withdraw from those that teach this message. As an editorial, this is one of the most popular messages preached today, the prosperity gospel. It teaches if you are godly (and they equate tithing with being godly) you will gain wealth.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2 Timothy 4:3
People will flock to these false teachers because they will speak smooth words to make them feel good. The false gospel will allow them to seek after their own lusts and still feel like they are serving God.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16
The false teachers will profess to know God, but even their good works are reprobate. This is consistent with the leaven of false doctrine. It permeates and ruins the whole lump.
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Timothy 4:1
Not cool.
Does that sound like a ministry near you? If so, here is our responsibility.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
We are to study, pray and search after God’s righteousness. Jesus said:
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13
If we hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness, and search out His will with humility His Spirit will guide us into all truth.
Tags: False Teachers, Prosperity Gospel
Wednesday, June 27th, 2007
Introduction:
One of the most important things we need to do as Christians is keep our doctrine pure. This was heavily taught by both Christ and the Apostles:
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Mt 16:6
Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Mt 16:12 (see Matthew 16)
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 1 Timothy 1:3
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:16
These are but a few scriptures of many warning us to keep our doctrine pure. Paul even says keeping our doctrine pure will save us and those who hear us (1 Timothy 4:16).
The Dangers of False Doctrine:
When Jesus warned the Apostles about the Pharisees, He didn’t warn of the physical harm they would bring, He warned of the leaven of their doctrines. Most people today scoff at people who discuss doctrines, saying “the letter of the law kills” or accuse those who desire pure doctrine of bringing division. I need to remind them that Jesus claimed to bring a sword, and that sword wasn’t literal Matthew 10:34.
It’s interesting that He uses the term “leaven.” Leaven is a small amount of yeast (or some other leavening agent) that goes into dough and has a permeating effect, and it affects the entire loaf. This is the same picture 2 Peter 2:1 gives of the teaching of false teachers. They secretly bring in destructive heresies. Secret destructive heresies permeate through an assembly of people in a hidden way and cause destruction, soul destruction.
Many Christians put up with leavened doctrine because of all the “good things” they can point to in the false teacher. Secret destructive heresies can be hidden behind flattering words and good works.
Our doctrines are considered important by Jesus because the doctrine taught by Scripture defines God, Christ, salvation, ethics, sin and all things a person needs for faith and life:
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:15-17
I believe it was A.W. Tozer who said “to live right we have to think right, to think right we have to be taught right”. If our doctrine is incorrect we will live those doctrines out. If we believe false things about God, then our faith is in an object that is not God and our faith is lost on an object we have created. Just like the Israelites who by their imagination made a golden calf and called it God…just because they called it God didn’t make it God.
How can we keep our doctrine pure if we rely on false teachers for our doctrine? How do we know we sit under false teachers if we do not have pure doctrine?
Stay tuned for part 2 – What are the biblical charateristics of false teachers and the “secret destructive heresies”.
Tags: False Teachers
Monday, June 11th, 2007
I was listening to a message from Zac Poonen called “How to Escape Deception” (click here to download and listen to the sermon) where he talks about different biblical warnings of deception.
I highly recommend the sermon, it was great.
One thing he said really made me think. He talked about this quote from Jesus:
 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matthew 24 4:5
What Zac Poonen suggested was that when Jesus said “many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ” they would not be professing to be the Christ, but they are saying Jesus is Christ.
I always thought it meant something like this, “many shall come in my name, claiming they are the Christ”. The problem is Jesus said they will claim “I am Christ” – does he mean they will profess Jesus to be Christ. He said this too:
Many will say to Me in that day, :Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Matthew 7:22-24
Does anyone have an opinion about this? The way Zac Poonen describes it makes sense in light of all the false teachers who claim that Jesus is the Christ, but teach a false gospel (the prosperity message, Mormons, Jehovah Witness, word of faith). I don’t want to believe Zac’s interpretation because it already fits into my beliefs on these false teachers, I want to know if it is true.
I am interested to hear your thoughts!
Tags: Deception, False Teachers
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