Where We Expose Faulty Teaching to Gain Godly Wisdom in This Modern World
Each month we prayerfully dig into God's Word to discern truth from almost truth and help you learn how to defend your faith in a world where false teaching is enticing more and more people to turn from wisdom and righteous living.
Jeremiah 14:14, ESV
And the LORD said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds."
What Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Christian disciples—followers of Jesus Christ—are called to share the Gospel. What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? It is the promised announcement that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, exchanged death for life, transferred our sins to him, and solidified salvation for us—eternal life with our holy God—through his sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.
The Bible provides a detailed summary of the Gospel message in Paul's first letter to the Church at Corinth:
"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time" (1 Corinthians 15:1–6, ESV).
That's a miracle—truly good news for those who surrender to Christ as the King of kings, their Lord, and their Savior! But that's not all. Jesus tells us exactly what to share along with the Good News of his saving death and resurrection: his teachings and his commandments (Matthew 28:20), plastered with an attitude of humility (Colossians 3:12) and through the lenses of love (Ephesians 4:15), gentleness, and respect (1 Peter 3:15). The supernatural fact of his resurrection and the grace offered to us for our salvation separate the Christian faith from all others, and following the teachings of Jesus Christ is central to what it means to live as a Christ-follower.
Matthew 28:18–20, ESV.
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'”
The Great Commission, perhaps the clearest passage on the mission of the Church, says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” With this directive, the Church is commissioned—sent out—to teach the Gospel message. In doing so, the Holy Spirit illuminated for Jesus's closest followers what to pen as His holy scriptures, how to share truth effectively, and how to point people toward Christ, all of which they modeled for us.
Philemon 1:6, ESV.
"And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."
And teach and share, the Church has done!
Unfortunately, effort does not always lead to positive results. Changing cultural norms, difficult Scripture (to understand or obey or both), pride, persecution, Satan's schemes, and the influence of sin—including greed and lust—have contributed to the rise and spread of false teaching.
What Is False Teaching?
False teaching is doctrine or teaching that does not agree with God’s Word, twists God’s Word, mismanages God's Word, adds to God’s Word, or takes away from God’s Word, thereby diluting the Gospel of Jesus Christ and dishonoring God.
Sometimes people try to justify their detour from biblical Truth with comments like, “All that matters is that I love God and people" or "I'm not religious; I'm spiritual."
That "religion" (i.e., doctrine)—the set of beliefs and truths found in the Bible—comprise Jesus's teachings!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best news anyone will ever hear, and what a person does with this news may determine where he or she spends eternity.
What Are False Teachers?
The best way to define false teachers is by turning to the Bible.
2 Peter 2:1–3, ESV, emphasis mine.
"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."
For context:
The Book of 2 Peter was written toward the end of the apostle Peter’s life, likely between AD 65 and AD 68. Peter was worried because false teachers were infiltrating the churches. He stressed the absolute truth of God's Word and the promised return of Jesus Christ. And he called on Christians to mature in their faith so they could discern and combat the spreading lies.
It's no different today. False teaching continues to attack the Word of God, accept and celebrate sin, and minimize Jesus Christ.
Often, false teaching doesn't come from teachers' hearts focused on deceiving others. It comes from deceived hearts (Jeremiah 17:9), which we all have. Some teachers have been hurt by those in the Church, and in response, they veer away from a biblical worldview. It's a reactionary detour. And it's deadly. Still other teachers have been groomed by false teachers that came before them. Also dangerous, as the deceit then travels through new circles.
If we are confronted with other Christians who point out our false teaching, we must stop to assess if they are right, if what we're teaching goes against God's Word. If it does, we must repent and correct ourselves. If we don't, we have become a false teacher.
The point is motivation matters. False teachers are often motivated by their sinful desires. They won't repent, even when pointed to God's Word. Their teaching is not only false, but you'll find the way they live flies in the face of Jesus's teachings. In many cases, these individuals have a goal: to justify sinful choices (even if those choices are clothed as all-in support for someone they love). Some false teachers will know exactly what they are doing because they are led by power, greed, and destruction—perhaps even influenced by Satan.
The primary problem is that many professing Christians are more than willing to listen to these false teachers—even seek out false teachers to help them justify what they, too, want to believe is true.
2 Timothy 4:3–4, NASB1995.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."
The Struggle of Discernment
Discerning false teachers from other teachers who make errors is often hard. After all, Christian teachers, including pastors and preachers, are flawed, struggle with temptation and sin, and can become prime targets for Satan when they point others to Christ. That’s why we’re all warned, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1, ESV).
False teachers affirm what is wrong by the Bible's standards, what “does not agree with sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 6:3, ESV). Sometimes, it's difficult to know what's true because false teachers will twist the truth so it is still almost true. Their messages sound good and verifiable to those who don't dig into the Bible for themselves and only know its contents on a superficial level.
Or, in other cases, false teachers may communicate sound doctrine, but their morality and ethics, borne from self-serving biases, are bad. Sometimes those selfish principles take a long time to reveal themselves, often after the false teacher has secured a large following or platform.
When discerning teachers to follow, 1) look for truth as evidenced in the Bible and 2) determine the teacher's motivation (Matthew 7:15–20). We can categorize false teachers by exposing their iniquitous fruits, which usually fall into three categories: pride, greed, and sexual sin.
Teachers full of pride deny the saving work of Christ, the one who died for us and paid the cost for our sins. They believe they are independently worthy. Capable. Loving. Good. Their teaching negates sin and even the need for a savior, thereby relegating Jesus to simply a "good or moral teacher." Or these teachers deny the authenticity of God's Word or deem it irrelevant, minimizing or abolishing absolute truth so they can live how they want (i.e., according to their truths).
Teachers tainted by greed exploit people for financial, positional, or other selfish gains. The more followers they entice, the wealthier they get in terms of earthly treasures. They may be mega-church pastors, best-selling authors, tele-evangelists, or others with large platforms. Satan might target influential Christians to become hosts for this epidemic because of the large-scale opportunity to spread false teachings to bigger crowds.
Teachers after sexual freedom most often contort truth about sexual sin ("porneia"). Porneia is a Greek word that means “illicit sexual activity.” It is an inclusive word for any kind of sexual immorality and is used 36 times in the Greek scriptures. These false teachers usually twist God's Word or discount these verses altogether to justify their porneia. Ironically, this leads people anywhere but to freedom. (Mathis)
Why This Matters to Teachers
Teachers will face a stricter judgment on "Judgment Day." Those who selfishly used their positions for gain or twisted or rejected the Gospel message will cower as they face the Holy Judge. We don't know what that judgment will entail, for we are not God. In Deuteronomy 13, Moses explains one possible outcome when speaking to the Israelites about false prophets who deceived others by performing miracles to get people to honor idols: death. Moses viewed false prophets as such a threat to the faith that he said even if it is a brother, a child, or a spouse, we must not follow these false teachers or false gods. We must expose them so they can be punished (verses 6–10). I encourage you to read the full chapter.
This sounds like a legalistic religion comprising hate or vengeance to today's culture because we have become so accepting of false teachings and sin. People often shrug off what goes against biblical Truth, believing or hoping it's not as dangerous as it is . . . all so they can justify their sin or others' sin and live how they want. But Moses knew false teachers would persuade many to stray from the Truth, causing irreparable damage to the children of God (i.e., the Church).
There's a metaphor that describes the danger here perfectly. Consider a ship at sea. If the captain changes the coordinates by one degree, the short-term outcome is inconsequential. Perhaps a few feet off-course from its current position in the water. In the long term, however, once the ship has crossed an ocean, that one degree difference lands the ship miles off-course—missing its target destination completely. That's what "almost true" doctrine does to our souls. It may seem tiny or inconsequential at first. But it could cause us to forget the reason for Jesus's death on the cross. It could even land us in front of Jesus, hearing, "But I never knew you."
In Galatians 1:6–9 (NIV), the apostle Paul also knew of the grave threat posed by false teachings and responded: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!" Here, Paul also condemns false teachers who spread lies about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On the other hand, teachers who persevere in truth and love and serve obediently, even when it's difficult, and while adhering to the Bible, will receive the Lord's blessing, an eternal reward, and the joy of hearing from Jesus Himself, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . . . Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21, NIV).
Why This Matters to Us All
False teachers target those who are immature in their faith. The apostle Paul repeatedly expresses concern for believers who may be “led astray” by antichrists (i.e., false prophets), the enemy's legion of demons (i.e., fallen angels), or false gospels (2 Corinthians 11:3–4 and Galatians 1:6–7). False teachers want to create division in the Body of Christ. Paul says believers will have “unity of the faith” only when they are “no longer children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:13–14).
Peter uses the word “destruction” five of the eighteen times it appears in the New Testament. He speaks of (v. 1) “destructive heresies” and the “swift destruction,” which the false teachers will bring on themselves. He adds (v. 3), “their judgment from long ago is not idle and their destruction is not asleep.” He also uses the word in 3:7 in reference to “the day of judgment and the destruction of ungodly men” and again in 3:17, where he says that the false teachers twist the Scriptures “to their own destruction.” And, he uses the verb in 3:6 to describe how God destroyed the world through the flood.
Contrary to what some teach, the destruction of the wicked does not refer to their annihilation. Rather, it refers to their eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 17:8, 11; 20:14, 15; 21:8). The fact that these wicked men’s judgment is from long ago means that God declared judgment on false teachers in the Old Testament, centuries before. (Cole)
Scary stuff, right? It's the reason for this blog. It's why it is so important we become spiritually mature, lacking nothing. "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—" (1 Peter 2:2, ESV, emphasis mine). Our eternity and the salvation of those we love may depend on it.
Jesus told his followers not to judge others; yet a few verses later, he says not to cast our pearls before swine and be aware of false prophets, both of which task us to judge the content of others' actions (i.e., fruit) (Matthew 7:1–5; 7:6; 7:15–20). So what does this mean? What should Christ-followers do?
Christians must judge rightly (i.e., righteously and humbly judge the words and actions of professing Christians against the Word of God). And we must walk away if people will not repent.
I understand how difficult it is to distance yourself from false teachers—and to call them out, as we're told to do in 1 Timothy 1:3. Persecution in some form is likely to find those who do. People I love have turned out to be false teachers. I don't follow them anymore because I do not want to subject myself to false doctrine or give others the perception that I agree with their teaching—teaching which is usually based on emotions or human desires rather than biblical Truth. I still pray for them and certainly for all those who still follow them—people whom I also love. I hope their eyes are opened before it's too late.
What You Can Do First
Please listen to ministry leader Cyndee Ownbey and her thoughts on the first steps you might take when sharing the truth with others.
In summary, not every spiritual teaching is from God (1 John 4:3). The motivation of the teacher and the message being taught must be tested. How? By reading the Bible for ourselves and allowing the Holy Spirit to help us discern God's Truth in its pages. And by looking at the fruit and the motivation of the teacher. That is what will lead us to righteousness, holy living, and spiritual maturity.
Deo Gloria,
Next Month: Is the Bible Really God's Word?
Guidelines
As you read, learn, and possibly comment on posts, there are a few guidelines I ask you to follow. First, we are all loved by God. We must receive that love and pour it back out for others. So all comments, whether in agreement or disagreement, must be respectful. This blog will neither be for calling out false teachers by name nor to allow for ongoing debate (at least on this platform). Instead, I seek to inform readers by pointing them to biblical truth while encouraging them to think critically. Most of all, I hope readers open God's Word, perhaps more than they do now. I will use the Bible as the foundation for any statement or claim I make. However, I am open to correction and alternative thoughts and conclusions if based on a biblical worldview. There are essentials and nonessentials in the Christian faith. My goal is to stick like glue with the essentials, but there are so many non-essentials that lead to what's critical. So I ask everyone to be respectful in their responses. We're all learning. Thank you.
Legal Stuff
COPYRIGHT (c) 2024, Cortney Donelson. If you'd like to share or quote any of this content, please credit Cortney Donelson | "True or False?" Blog | vocem LLC and the post title and date.
Not a legal requirement, but I want to give a shout-out to two co-laborers (co-strugglers?) in the battle to point people to the Bible and away from false teaching: Matt Dawson, lead pastor at Journey Church in Huntersville, NC and Janey Pitts, Bible scholar, speaker, and author in Panama City, Florida. They are kind enough to spar ideas, check my biblical accuracy, and review my conclusions.
David Mathis, "The Surprising Truth about False Teachers." Desiring God, August 8, 2016, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-surprising-truth-about-false-teachers.
Stephen J. Cole, "Lesson 8: Beware of False Teachers! (2 Peter 2:1–3)." Bible.org, March 20, 2013, https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-8-beware-false-teachers-2-peter-21-3#:~:text=In%20Deuteronomy%2013%2C%20Moses%20warned%20Israel%20about%20false,follow%20him%20or%20her%20after%20these%20false%20gods.
Cyndee Ownbey serves as a mentor to thousands of women’s ministry leaders through her website, podcast, and Facebook community, Women’s Ministry Toolbox. She is the author of five books including best-sellers, Rethinking Women’s Ministry and Rethinking Fellowship. Cyndee enjoys training women's ministry leaders and teaching at women's events and conferences. She and her husband live in Charlotte, NC.
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