“False Teachers –False Preachers”
January 18, 2015
1 John 4:1
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
2 Peter 2:1-2; 14-22
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.
14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16 But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—an animal without speech—who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”
1 Timothy 4:1-2
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
It is kind of unsettling to think there are false preachers and teachers out there that we have to be aware of -but there are. The Bible and experience says so. The problem is that not all are obvious. False teaching is many times hidden in truth or half-truth. Remember Jesus’ conversation with the Devil in Luke 4?
Three times the devil used Scripture to tempt Jesus. It was taken out of context – but it was Scripture. Remember how Jesus combatted that false teaching? He used Scripture Himself – but it was rightly interpreted and rightly applied.
It is important that we get to know the Bible so well that when someone begins to spout falsehoods in the name of God that we can recognize it. Some false teachers and preachers will lie and mislead because they want to build their own little kingdoms where they rule. It’s about power. Jim Jones and David Koresh comes to mind. They ended up causing the death of many of their followers.
Some false teachers have convinced themselves the truth is a lie and the lie is the truth. Often it is too hide their own sin or to rationalize it. Jimmy
Swaggart comes to mind. He convinced himself that consorting with prostitutes was acceptable. He even was able to preach wonderful sermons with great emotion while living with this hidden sin.
Ted Haggard was pastoring a large church in Denver while living a homosexual life style. He knew the Bible said homosexuality was an abomination to God – but he was able to justify himself in his own mind for a time. I have read that he has repented of his sin, confessed it and is now living a righteous life and serving the Lord. I don’t know that for sure – but I know God will forgive all who confess their sin and turn from it. There is forgiveness for all – but it is better to not sin. Holy living saves us from a lot of pain.
Some false teachers are sincere – but sincerely wrong. They may have been raised in a church that taught false doctrine and they were indoctrinated from their youth or at least as a babe in Christ. I think most of the false teaching in the world falls under this category. People believe the lie or error and are sincere; they are saved – but they are living in error. Jesus said,
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew5:18-19
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”
Matthew 7:15-16a
Notice that in the first case Jesus says they are in the kingdom of heaven but they will be called least. Why? Because they didn’t teach the Word of God correctly. I think this is how it usually is. People are sincere, they are saved and that is why it is so easy to believe that false teaching. In fact I think most of what we call religion is based on false teaching. I will explain why in just a little bit.
In the second case Jesus called these prophets (or preachers) false; wolves in sheep’s clothing. They appeared to be harmless and innocent but inside they were destructive predators.
So here’s the point. 1) We need to be aware. There are many false teachers out there. There is much false doctrine out there. The second point is logically, 2) How can we Know what is false and what is true?
The answer is that we simply have to get to know the Word of God so well that when someone missuses it we instantly know. That takes time. That takes a lot of study and reading on our own. And as we get to know the Word of God - if we find someone we trust, a parent, a pastor or a teacher, telling us something contrary – we need to put our faith and belief in the Bible. The Bible is a divinely inspired and divinely preserved book.
The first tactic of the enemy is to destroy faith in the Bible. They will say it is corrupted or changed or misinterpreted. And it is true that there are many versions and translations and interpretations. Some people believe only one translation is good. They say that only the King James Version is the true Word. Or the NIV or LEB or the ISV is wrong. I don’t believe that. I use them all. I haven’t read any that change truth. They put truth differently; some leave parts out because they weren’t in the oldest manuscripts; but I believe that we can trust most of the translations out there. When I do research and study for a sermon I use the computer with 52 English translations at my disposal. I compare one to another often. I like to see different takes on a Scripture.
In using them I have never seen where one of them changed the teaching. Some choose to put the reading in a different way but I have not seen the truth changed. I am sure there are some translations out there that are wrong – but that is where we need to compare translations. Don’t take just one translation’s interpretation – read multiple versions. When I took Greek in college I realized that Greek is written in such a way that inflection, tone and maybe the look on someone’s face may affect the meaning. Maybe all languages are the same.
For instance, in English I may say ‘good job’ with a smile on my face and a gentle tone. You know I mean you did a good job. But I may say it with an uplifted inflection and the meaning may be communicated that I question if it was a good job. I may have a harder tone and it may be communicated that I believe just the opposite of a good job.
Reading the Bible is similar. The one essential thing needed is to be led of the Holy Spirit when reading with a seeking heart. The Bible is not just written by holy men as they were led by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) but it needed to be translated by inspired, holy scholars. Even more important - it has to be read ‘in the Spirit’ as we read. The Holy Spirit has to teach us as we read. He can only do that if we are surrender to the Spirit and willing to be led of Him.
After saying all that – let me say that belief is a choice. Some people have been so hurt by ‘Bible believing’ Christians that they throw the ‘baby out with the bathwater.’ Some read a little of the Bible and are so convicted that they need to kill the message. I see that on Facebook daily. Today someone said,
“Religion has such deep roots in fear and needing salvation from ourselves. Time for a new age in teaching our children about the creator of life that lives within each of us! Whether that be the evolution of the "Atom" or the evolution of "Adam"! Doesn't matter.”
What is needed is a correct handling of the Word of God. But it won’t happen unless a person believes it. It is a choice – and some choose to put their faith in the science of the day or another teacher. The Bible says,
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
That day has come. I can’t help them. I can only help those who put their faith in the Bible as being the divinely inspired Word of God. I believe it is. And I have read it every day for almost 45 years. I have read the Old Testament over a dozen times and the New Testament over 50 times. I know it pretty well – but I don’t trust my memory or mind. If there is a doubt – I choose the truth of the Bible. And that brings us to my third point.
We need to 3)test the teaching we are exposed to. The Bible says,
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
I John 4:1
We need to test the spirit or teaching or doctrine to see if it is from God. A lot aren’t. Jesus said,
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus said that the gate to life is narrow and only a few find it. The gate to destruction is wide and the road is broad. Many are on it.
Yet if you take a survey in America today 80 percent call themselves Christian. The way to salvation is easy to get on. You only have to believe – some say. So is Jesus and the Bible wrong? No. I think that those, of cheap grace and easy salvation, are wrong. I’m afraid that they miss it. Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who Calls Jesus “Lord” will make it. Preaching (or prophesying), casting out demons and even performing miracles won’t get you to heaven. What is the test? The test is a changed heart. Those who do evil won’t make it. Those who do the will of God make it. In other words, one has a heart of obedience and desire to follow the Spirit. The other is still following the evil desires of the flesh.
Some examples of false doctrine are ‘once saved always saved’. The Bible doesn’t teach that. The big lie Satan told Eve was ‘you won’t die if you sin’. Most of the Christendom believes that we can be sinners and Christians - we can live in sin and still make it to heaven. The Bible says ‘sin separates us from God’.
Another false teaching you will be exposed to is leaving the Gospel to go back to justification by law. In other words, we should worship God on Saturday and be circumcised and follow the Levitical law. That is dangerously wrong. Some only take part of the Law – the part they like. How foolish!
Paul wrote: “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!” Galatians 1:6-9
“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.”
Galatians 2:15-16
“For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” Galatians 3:10-11
If you think worshipping God on Saturday instead of Sunday makes you a better Christian or pleases God, you are on dangerous ground. You better keep all the law if you want to be justified by it.
I know some pick out passages where God promises to keep the Old Covenant ‘forever’ to justify their keeping the Levitical Law. And God’s promises ARE always eternal. But a covenant is good only so long as both parties keep it. God kept His part but man didn’t keep his. So the law became null and void. That is why God made a NEW covenant – a better one. We live in the New Testament – not in the Old. I would like to teach more on this but I don’t want to take the time this morning – but if you confused by this – read Galatians and Hebrews to start. Colossians says,
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Colossians 2:16-17
“Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”
Colossians 2:20-23
The first thing some will do is attack the Scripture. Some attack Paul. Always remember that we have to go back to the Bible and choose it as our truth. The Bible is our foundation; it is our manual.
Let me conclude with this. 4. We need to test ourselves. We need to examine ourselves and our beliefs and doctrine periodically. We need to view our lives through the pages of the Bible. The Scripture says,
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.”
2 Corinthians 13:5-6
“Each one should test their own actions….” Galatians 6:4a
So what is the test? The Bible says,
“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:3-6
“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” 1 John 3:7-9
Do you understand that we need to read the Bible, study it, but most importantly APPLY it to our life? We need to walk in love and obedience. We aren’t perfect and we will make mistakes and err at times. But what God is interested in is our hearts. Are we doing our best to walk in the truth He has revealed to us? He will lead you and guide you – if you are willing to follow.
After saying all of that – I need to tell you NOT to get caught up in being critical or condemning others. Many Christians caught up in false teaching love the Lord and are living in the truth as they know it. God called us to love – not condemn. Also, you may be debating someone who is not Spirit filled – and therefore not Spirit led. In that case it is pointless to argue with someone who has no idea or experience of what you are talking about. The Bible says,
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
Above all we need to be loving and kind – as we seek the truth and share the truth. Besides, you can find fault in anything and anyone. People, in their ignorance and immaturity, falsely accuse Nazarenes of a lot of stuff. Here is what some people think of us.
“When the holiness people, any of them, claim they reach entire sanctification, they are making God a liar. They are arrogantly standing against God himself. This means that his Word is not in them. The Truth is not in them. They are lost and on the way to hell.
These sinless perfection, entire sanctification, people take away the words from the very mouth of God. He says we may NOT claim we are without sin, and they slap his face and say they ARE without sin.”
-Steve Van Nattan, Blessed Quietness Journal
It is obvious to me that this man doesn’t know what entire sanctification is. He is speaking about something he is not familiar with. He doesn’t know the Bible OR the Nazarene Church. I have been in the Nazarene Church for over 50 years and I have never heard anyone say they were without sin or were perfect. The problem is that people do not use a Biblical definition of sin, which is choosing to do something you know God doesn’t want you to do – or “sin is a willful transgression of a known law of God”. To talk about something you have to have the same meaning to words or your conversation is worthless.
The Bible says,
“14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
2 Timothy 2:14-16; 23-26
It is important that we be strong in our knowledge of God’s Word. But we must be loving and kind to those who are not at that level of knowledge. Love covers a multitude of sins, faults and differences.
This week, study the Word, Pray – but most importantly – live a life of love. Your daily witness says most of what you really believe. Your greatest doctrine is how you live your daily life. May people see Christ in you.
