10 TELLS OF FALSE TEACHERS: #3

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 we must stay focused on Jesus, contend for the faith, and read the Bible for ourselves to be grounded in Truth.

Tell #3:

False teachers resist accountability or correction, often getting angry or dismissive when other Christians approach them about their sin or aim to correct their false doctrine or teachings.

Example: Today, false teachers resisting correction are increasing in number, particularly in the areas of redefining biblical terms, such as love and truth, and holding to biblical institutions, such as marriage. Usually, this is in an effort to dismiss biblical sexual morality. Rather than provide sound defenses based on truth, they convince others to deconstruct long-held beliefs based on Scripture to support their false doctrine.

When called out and corrected, false teachers might become aggressive, sometimes even labeling people "Pharisees" or calling them legalistic. But their arguments that say, "This isn't sin" or "I see no need to correct this" rely almost entirely on non-biblical foundations like psychology/mental health, personal experience, empathy over truth, having "new understandings about the faith," personal victimization, or cultural inclusivity. They don't cite Scripture correctly or submit to Scripture as the standard.

They also avoid biblical accountability (e.g., elder-based authority, public confession, as outlined in James 5:16 or Matthew 18:15–20, disqualification from ministry as found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, or genuine repentance leading to restoration).

The Bible is clear about how we must approach professing Christians who are living in sin or teaching false doctrine, those who won't be corrected, and those who don't repent, especially if they become angry or even hostile. These are the steps God directs us to take.

Addressing those teaching false doctrine:

(1) Be aware of false teachers, that they are prevalent and their numbers will continue to grow (1 and 2 Peter, Jude) until Jesus's return.

(2) Assess the fruit of any teacher. Judge their lifestyle, choices, teachings, words, and actions (Matthew 7:15–20).

(3) Test the spirit of the teacher to discern the position of their heart (1 John 4:1). Challenge their teachings by asking for scriptural references. Make them defend their teachings using the Bible.

(4) If they refuse to correct their false teaching, avoid them (Romans 16:17 and Titus 3:10).

(5) If they continue to teach it, rebuke them publicly (Titus 1:9–13 and 1 Timothy 1:3), condemning the false teachings and contending for the faith (Galatians 1:8–9 and Jude 3).

If someone sins against you:

(1) Go to the person in private.

(2) If they don't repent, take one other Christian with you.

(3) If they still don't repent, go to the Church leadership.

(4) If they still don't repent, distance yourself, and Church leadership should take action.

When teachers are unwilling to be corrected, and certainly when they become belligerent or dig in their heels, be wise, seek counsel, and follow God's outline. Don't be afraid to call them out publicly. In doing so, you're loving the Church itself, particularly spiritually immature or new believers who need to hear the truth. If false teachers become angry or mocking, distance yourself, as both Paul and Jesus did.

This might include unfollowing or blocking them on social media. It's not "unloving" to have boundaries when it comes to false teachers. Stay alert, fellow Christian.

** Check out Loving Them to Death: How a Deceptive Definition of Love Fuels False Teachings' Fast Spread, an Amazon best-seller in Christian Discipleship.

*** Images created with the help of Grok to avoid identifying real people and create symbolic illustrations.