Articles
“Seven False Teachers”
Christ’s church has always been threatened by Satan’s attempts to destroy her. The enemy sometimes uses governing powers to frighten saints or the cultural zeitgeist to entice them. Many times, however, he works from within through “false teachers” to deceive. These false teachers take many forms. Consider a few.
The heretic — Peter warned of those who “bring in destructive heresies” (2 Pet. 2:1). They teach what blatantly contradicts God’s word but wrap their message in attractive packaging. Usually they are gregarious and naturally charismatic. Their tampering with “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jd. 3) is subtle and requires a trained mind to separate the wheat from the chaff.
The charlatan — Paul warned Timothy of those who imagine “that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Tim. 6:3-5). These religious hucksters are only interested in the faith to the extent that it can enrich them personally. Their primary motivation is greed and they seek prominence only so that they can live in luxury; they are not afraid to exploit the vulnerable and gullible to do so. They are spiritually descended from those who “devour widow’s houses” (Mk. 12:40) and those ancient shepherds of Israel who only feed themselves (Ezek. 34:2ff).
The prophet — John warned against believing every spirit but taught us to be discerning, “test[ing] the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). Such people boldly claim that God speaks through them bringing a fresh revelation outside of Scripture—new authoritative words of prediction, teaching or encouragement. But God has spoken fully and finally in Scripture and warned that anyone who adds or takes away from it is in serious danger (Rev. 22:18-19). Their ‘prophecies’ come not from God but from “their own hearts” (Ezek. 13:2).
The abuser — Both Peter and Jude warned about those who “follow their sensuality” (2 Pet. 2:2) and “pervert the grace of God into sensuality” (Jude 4). These abusers use their positions of leadership to take advantage of others. Under the guise of tending souls they seek to feed the lust of their bodies, then turn around and threaten anyone who would expose them. Rather than grace leading them to holy living they twist it into a license to pursue illicit pleasure.
The divider — Both Jude and Paul warn of those who “cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to” the gospel (Rom. 16:17; Jude 19). While claiming to stand for truth, they leave destruction in their wake in the form of broken churches. Through their insincerity they generate factions, create discord and undermine leadership. They fail to give others the benefit of the doubt and are both quick to take offense and quick to judge others’ motives. They do not “seek peace and pursue it” (1 Pet. 3:11) and make a mockery of “the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3) which the Lord Jesus died to create.
The people-pleaser — Paul warned Timothy that some will only tolerate “teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Instead of telling saints what they need to hear, these people-pleasers only preach on what is deemed acceptable and popular. In leaving out sin and judgment they preach an empty gospel to a packed house. As in Jeremiah’s day, they say, “‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). In diluting the truth, they gain a wider audience only to lead more souls away from the Lord.
The speculator — The author of Hebrews warned of those who are obsessed with originality and speculation, what he calls “strange teachings” (Heb. 13:9). Both Paul and Peter warned of those who “devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith” (1 Tim. 1:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16). The speculator rails against ‘tradition,’ grows weary with the old truths and pursues novelty instead. They are akin to those in Athens who “spent their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21). Paul calls such teachers contrary, irreverent babblers (1 Tim. 6:20-21).
Jesus was well aware of these dangers his church would face and sought to arm us against them. He knew that Satan’s greatest ambassadors often come from within like wolves in sheep’s clothing (Acts 20:29). Their attacks are deceitful and effective but predictable to those who remain vigilant. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Mt. 7:15-16a) Let’s be discerning and follow the voice of our Shepherd.
