Lesson 379: "Learn To Recognize False Teachers"
Jesus Christ warned that false teachers and false prophets would come and attempt to deceive even God’s elect (Matt. 25:24-25), and warning that people would say; “here is the Christ” when in fact “the Christ” had not returned to the earth. Peter called these people scoffers, following their own desires (2 Pet. 3:3), John called them antichrists (1 John 2:18) and Jude agrees with Peter (Jude 17-18).
John tells you exactly how to recognize a false teacher/prophet/spirit. “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God. Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God” (1 John 4:1-6). To best guard yourself against these teachings and to be able to distinguish between the false and the truth is to study the truth. Any believer who rightly divides the written Word of God can rightly divide the truth from falsehood (2 Tim. 2:15).
Jesus said that a tree is known by his fruit (Matt. 12:33). Some things to look for when checking for truthfulness are; what does the teacher say about Jesus. Ask your teacher just like Jesus asked the disciples; “Who do you say that I am” (Matt. 16:15)? Jesus Christ and His work of redemption is of utmost importance and we must beware of anyone or any teaching that denies that Jesus and the Father are One and who denies that Jesus is Christ (John 2:22, John 10:30). Make sure the teacher is actually teaching the Gospel without all the “add-ons”, therefore perverting the Gospel (Gal. 1:7). “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted let him be eternally condemned” (Gal. 1:9). This Gospel you have accepted as a Christian is John 3:16-18, Rom. 10:13).
Does the teacher exhibit character qualities that glorify God? Jude says that false teachers have taken the way of Cain (pride/Cain’s rejection of God’s plan), they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error (greed/Balaam prophesying for money) and have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion (Korah’s promotion of himself over Moses). Jesus’ language was a bit stronger! He called these people hypocrites; whitewashed tombs (Matt. 23:27), brood of vipers (Matt. 12:34) and told them they did not know the Scriptures or the power of God (Matt. 22:29). For those who never study to find the difference between false teachings and the truth, and fall into the trap of the false teachings, Jesus’ language will be even stronger; “I never knew you! Depart from me” (Matt. 7:23)!