Category: False Teachers

2 Corinthians 1:12; 4:2 The apostle Paul was accused of “commending” himself to the Corinthians at 2 Corinthians 3:1.  Paul answers the accusation in the…

What’s the difference between being wayward and being a false teacher? The beer drinker is sinning for sure, but he sins without directly involving another person in his sin. It’s possible he may even admit that he’s sinning and should quit. The false teacher, on the other hand, defends the drinker in his sin and causes other Christians to drink or to approve of drinking (Romans 1:32).

1 Kings 18 records a conversation between the great prophet Elijah, and Obadiah, the steward over the house of King Ahab. Despite his close association with the evil king, scripture describes Obadiah as a man who “feared the Lord greatly” (18:3).

A number of lessons can be learned by becoming familiar with these two men, and examining the conversation they had on that eventful day.

No matter how sincere in heart a person may or may not be about what they are teaching as the truth, the affect will be the same in the poisoning of precious souls. Teaching something which is not the truth of the gospel will poison a soul, regardless of the sincerity of the one doing the false teaching.

The best defense against a false teacher’s poison is spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18). The word of God reveals the serious nature of erring doctrines (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18). Therefore all doctrines presented must stand the test of the standard of truth. We must put to test all doctrines we hear (Galatians 1:8-9; 1 John 4:1ff). Those doctrines that do not measure up to the Lord’s divine revelation are to be rejected.

Thanks to the good Lord of Heaven that we have His word, we can read His word, believe it, and obey it so as to be saved. May we hearken to the warnings of Peter and beware of those false teachers who are out among us.

A Satire, taking issue with Paul’s preaching methods. Letters written to Paul and Alexander the Coppersmith by a fictional character, Asthenes

The same brethren who are willing to tolerate those who teach error on fellowship, divorce and remarriage, the creation account or other doctrinal subjects are not willing to discuss and forbear with those who teach and document the truth. While faithful brethren seek to leave the door open for further study and discussion, those claiming greater tolerance show themselves to be the ones who have drawn the line of fellowship excluding faithful brethren. Sad, but predictable.

The application of unity-in-doctrinal-diversity has no logical end. Yes, there will be brethren who will be inconsistent and arbitrarily refuse to fellowship certain errors. However, many of us have noted this same phenomena among our institutional brethren who violate the silence of the Scripture with regards to the work of the church, but will not countenance other violations of the silence of God like instrumental music in worship.

Brethren and friends, there is such a thing as “sound” and “unsound” doctrine. We are to support the truth and oppose error. Such has been the case since Satan led Adam and Eve astray in the garden. Not all the rhetoric and faulty definitions in the world can change the nature of truth and error. Nor can all the soft and compromising attitudes among brethren conceal false teaching or false teachers. The Bible says much more about error, false doctrine, etc., than space here permits in our study. But let’s not be moved off the sure foundation of God’s word as a reference for fellowship to the quicksands of emotional compromise. “Contend for the faith…” (Jude 3).

Brethren and friends, it is “nonsense” and a play on words to refuse to acknowledge and name one as being a false teacher who teaches false doctrine with a good heart. One might ask, “What difference does it make as long as the false doctrine is exposed?” The “sting” is taken out of the identity of one who is marked as such. It is a “softening” toward the one who needs to be noted and avoided! One is made to wonder why one would insist the character must be flawed before he can be labeled as a false teacher!

Brethren who agree on divorce and remarriage, Romans 14, worldliness, the worship, work and organization of the church need to be fighting error side by side with all their might instead of devouring one another.

False teachers lead many astray and play upon friendship and the martyr-complex to win sympathy for their cause. Our answer is to insist upon scripture. Personal attacks and petulant outbursts are not sufficient — we demand nothing short of a “thus saith the Lord.”

An “umbrella” of protection is being used today to protect those who are false teachers. Some, like Ed Harrell are advocating the acceptance of the “man” in fellowship while rejecting his doctrine. He stated he did not agree with brother Hailey’s position on MDR but could continue to fellowship him as a faithful servant of God. He is not alone in this. This is despite the plain teaching of John in 2 John 9-11, as quoted above. John states clearly if the man does not bring the “doctrine” of Christ to you, do not receive him into your house and if you do, you become a partaker of his evil deed. Can it be any clearer than that?

The teaching of the earth being created in millions of years instead of six literal (24 hour) days as the Bible teaches is false teaching and will overthrow the faith of many. Some scientists understand that the Bible teaches six literal (24 hour) days and that is one of the reasons they don’t believe the Bible. Unbelievers can understand the Bible better on this point of creation than some of our own brethren. This is a serious matter and what makes it even more serious are those who are willing to compromise the Bible on this matter. We need prayer and true study and dialogue on this matter.

Are you a “non-controversialist” or are you a faithful brother or sister who earnestly contends for the faith (Jude 3)? What about the preacher and elders where you worship? Do they “by sound doctrine…convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9)? Do they stop the mouths of those who “subvert” the truth (Titus 1:11)? If not, why not? If not, they are failing in their duties and need to repent (Acts 20:28-32; 2 Tim. 4:2-5). If they refuse to repent, then one of two things should be done: (1) either the elders need to be removed from office and/or the preacher fired; (2) or you should find a group of faithful Christians with which to work and worship.

I dare say that no one in our fellowship would deny that Ezekiel, Paul and Jesus had a love for the souls of men. And yet, their manner was often confrontational, always uncompromising, and sometimes even derisive toward those who would make shipwreck of our faith. The common criticism of those defending truth as having improper motives and a lack of love often speaks more to the mindset of the one offended by such criticism rather than the one delivering the rebuke.

Ignorance is destructive to the child of God (Hos. 4:6; Isa. 5:13). If we are not armed with God’s word, we cannot fight the battle against Satan and his agents (Eph. 6:10-17). Therefore, let us be diligent in our studies. Let those of us who are blessed to preach regularly, teach our brethren the false claims of denominational error (exposing it in the light, Eph. 5:11-13), so they may know the difference between it and God’s truth. Let us show them the distinction between what some of our own brethren advocate and what the Bible actually says. Don’t be deceived!

Frankly, the non-controversial, non-combative, non-confrontational approach to preaching is cause for alarm. Often, though certainly not always, such a spirit resides within those who are liberal minded and who have no respect for “the good fight of faith” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Timothy 6:12; Jude 3). Not being sure that error condemns, and not being convinced that denominationalism is not of God, some have begun to sympathize with false teachers and apologize for those who oppose and expose them.

Those who preach liberty from restrictions need to be marked. Their preaching causes division, because they not only contradict themselves, but they contradict the Holy Scriptures. Heeding to their doctrine will cause one to be separated from the Lord, because they preach grace and liberation instead of strictness and carefulness. They strengthen the hands of evildoers (Jeremiah 23:14), and they strive to have friendship with the world (James 4:4).