10 TELLS OF FALSE TEACHERS: #10

Every book in the New Testament addresses false teachings or false teachers but one (Philemon). This series of blog posts will outline ten biblically sourced "tells," shared to help you discern truth from error and to determine if you are dealing with someone spreading deceptive doctrine.

Note: These posts are designed to share Truth, complete with scriptural references. While examples of modern-day false teachings are provided in general terms, know that in any given season, false doctrine will change. It transforms with the culture. Therefore, it's most beneficial to understand Truth rather than spend energy debating specific false doctrine or calling out specific false teachers. New false teachings and generations of false teachers will rise and fall, like fads. So stay focused on Jesus, contend for the faith, and read the Bible for yourself to be grounded in Truth.

Tell #10:

False teachers can be identified by their attitude, one of pride and superiority.

False teachers are full of conceit and characterized by arrogance. Like Satan, they believe they can be equal with God (Isaiah 14:14) by twisting the gospel message. False teachers are consumed with themselves and their ideas, believing they are better than God's Word. Their teachings are often self-centered, "me first," and lacking humility.

They elevate personal experience. You might hear, "I have received new revelation directly from God that goes beyond the Bible," or "I heard God's voice telling me this is true." You'll hear statements of deflection when confronted: "I feel attacked whenever anyone questions me" (used to shut down legitimate biblical critique) or "I am persecuted just like the early disciples were, so my critics are wrong."

Moses is often referred to as the humblest (some translations say "weakest") man in history (Numbers 12:3), and Jesus was obviously characterized by His humility, as He humbled himself by coming in the flesh and dying for our sins (Philippians 2:6–8). And Jesus calls for all to come to him because He is “gentle and humble” in spirit (Matthew 11:28–29).

The false teacher's desire is not to display Christ or truth, but to display himself or herself. They will take the credit for what goes well and what they are able to accomplish. They will easily accept the applause and accolades.

God abhors the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). It would behoove Christians to know if their teachers are willing to be corrected. Are they coachable (by God, His Word, and others of the faith)?

Example: It's not just liberal-leaning, progressive Christian teachers that can fall into the category of false teachers. There are ultra-conservative false teachers too. For our faith is not bound by politics or defined by party or politically based ideology. Our faith is only under obedience when aligned with the Word of God.

To guard against politicizing faith, we must test teachings against full Scripture, prioritize Christ-centered doctrine and not ideology-centered politics, understand Israel's position as the apple of God's eye, understand that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, and know that Jesus already has the victory.

The Catholic Church priests and even the pope are often seen as pushing false doctrine and categorized as false teachers when they teach "I am the gatekeeper to your faith. Only I can understand the Bible and will teach it to you." That encourages dependence on them, not on God or His Word.

The Antichrist will be the consummate false teacher, taking on all the characteristics we've discussed in this blog series. Today, we deal with the spirit of the Antichrist, conceited people who deny Jesus as Christ (Matthew 24:24; 1 John 2:18; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7). In the future, the real Antichrist will arrive.

From biblical descriptions:

Daniel 7:25: "He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time." (This "little horn" figure is commonly seen as a prophetic type or reference to the Antichrist's persecution and blasphemy.)

Daniel 11:36–45: depicting a willful king who exalts himself and blasphemes.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4: "Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."

Revelation 13:1–8: Depicts "a beast rising out of the sea" (often identified as the Antichrist) who receives power from the dragon (Satan), blasphemes God, makes war on the saints, and is worshiped by the world (except those whose names are in the Book of Life). He exercises authority for 42 months.

The point is this: False teachers of today are precursors to this final, consummate false teacher. They think they are superior and deserve authority. They are conceited and foster dependency on themselves rather than on Christ—they even reject Jesus as Christ. Their numbers will multiple until the end of this age, when the Antichrist will make an appearance.

The Good News is that Jesus has conquered it all: the lies, the Antichrist, Satan, and death itself. If only we surrender and believe.

I pray this blog series has spurred thought and prayer. I wish you all a blessed and meaningful Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

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