Deception of False Teachers

Background Scripture: 2 Peter 2
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 7:13–23

Introduction

Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matt. 7:1). Jesus also made it clear that we are to beware of false prophets and to “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). While many professing Christians like to think they are exclusively following Christ, there are very few who are not influenced by other people. This indeed makes it quite important that we are followers of the right examples. Our challenge is to have righteous discernment, that which is granted by the Holy Spirit.

There are people who are very critical and can hardly find anyone good enough to fellowship with. Others go to the extreme opposite and give confidence to almost anyone who professes faith in God. In this brief study, we will explore how to discern true teachers from those who are false.

Key Verse

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things (Phil. 3:19).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

When Jesus came on the scene, the religious leaders were the scribes and Pharisees. Instead of being humble and God-fearing, they posed as those who had the authority to interpret the Scriptures while exploiting their own self-righteousness. They had many instructions for others, but they did not keep the precepts themselves. Jesus spoke to the religious leaders of his time, “Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you” (Matt. 21:31). “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (v. 43). This kind of religion and its leaders appealed only to individuals who wanted religion for a crutch but were not interested in honestly and humbly looking into their own hearts. Jesus’s teaching was an effort to break through outward piety and reach the heart. The gospel is a combination of doctrines that bring conviction to one’s heart and also shows the way out of bondage.

While our lesson scripture indicates that even at the judgment some will try to justify themselves, eventually every knee will bow before the Lord. Those who are lost in the end will likely be able to recall where they made a choice to follow the wrong road and will think, “Had I only heeded the quiet voice of the Spirit.” Their wrong choices may have appeared as rather insignificant at the time. We are all making choices on a daily basis, and we are bound to make wrong choices if we do not have a love for the truth.

Practical Truths for Today

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). The life of a true Christian, and especially a true teacher, is pure; that is, his life and teaching are undefiled. In both the moral and spiritual context, the teacher and his teaching are not contaminated with the wisdom of the world. He is not subject to selfish ambition, envy, and other defiling influences; he is humble in life and attire. While he does not hesitate to stand for the truth, he is not defensive when shown error in life or doctrine; he knows that the God in whom he trusts can take care of the truth. Advocating truth today does not include self-advertisement, which is so popular in social media, blogging, or personal commentary. Those living the truth will have a genuine respect for God’s Word, which they sincerely seek to obey. They will be in unity with the doctrines of the historic church, and they will not accept any new concept that does not agree with the church of the ages.

Churches with thousands of members often start with an individual furthering one idea or another, and a following ensues. When their prophecies or positions are shown to be in error, these leaders find a means to explain it in a way to be able to justify their cause. Many groups have been led by influential leaders whose following died out with them. Dispensationalism is accepted by many, in which new “revelations” not held by the historic church are made acceptable. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).

A true teacher, or believer, does not have the spirit of individualism. On the contrary, he is a humble member of the body of Christ, who receives nourishment and direction from the body as well as contributing the same to his fellowmen. While God depends on his leaders to fill their place faithfully and stand out at times, a true leader is subject to the body. The functioning of the true church is not dependent on one individual because it is God’s building with a foundation in truth.

In Deuteronomy 13:1–3, we read that even if the predictions of a prophet come true but he influences us to accept idolatry, we are to reject him. An idol is anything that compromises our allegiance to God. Popular idols in our day are materialism, covetousness, honor-seeking, and pride in homes and other possessions. The many voices in today’s world—the printed page, oratory, and the electronic media with blogs, forums, and podcasts—give intellectuals and those with something to say the space to influence the minds of their listeners. They may use some truth and perhaps make some outstanding claims, but if they advocate a modern doctrine lacking true repentance and obedience, we are to beware of them. Conforming to the world with a compromising attitude that seeks to adjust to present-day religious conditions is especially pernicious. A rejection of biblical church discipline, nonresistance, self-denial, and an unwillingness to bear the cross that goes with true Christian living can be common threads.

David was a man after God’s own heart, though not without failings. When brought face to face with his failings, he did not defend himself but had the grace to humbly submit to God. When he was fleeing from his own son, Shimei, a wicked man, cursed him and threw stones and dust at David’s group of refugees. David’s friend wanted to eliminate the evil man, but David said, “Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him” (2 Sam. 16:5–13). A leader who takes too much upon himself will defend his position instead of being humbly open and teachable. Almost anything can be justified by picking out certain passages in the Bible and disregarding others. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself” (Phil. 2:3). This humble spirit helps us appreciate our brethren instead of being critical and feeling righteous within ourselves.

Jesus said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (John 10:16). We do not know how God deals with the billions of people He has created. It is not in our place to judge people who never make it to the “one fold.” We may have a feeling of competition as we observe other groups, but this is not humility; we should rather wish them well. Humility makes us willing to bear the cross and be different when obedience to God’s Word requires that. We are not to judge them that are without (1 Cor. 5:12–13), but that does not mean we are to accept them as fellow believers; we simply commit them to God.

While we cannot know exactly how God kept his church through the ages, we believe He has preserved a continuation of the truth from the apostolic time. Among those who claim Anabaptist beliefs, it is popular to give special attention to what many consider to be the beginning of that movement. This consists of three men in Switzerland making a new beginning. Many have started new groups. We do not need to determine how God deals with individuals or their following, but we do not believe that the church was extinguished and had to make a new beginning. Unfortunately, many go forth in religious zeal when they receive a certain enlightenment and start yet another church instead of surrendering and seeking out the true children of God as Menno Simons did after he left his old church.

Christianity began with a single, united denomination. Today, there are over 45,000 denominations. The confusion in nominal Christianity is a hindrance to the truth and can have a discouraging effect on seekers of the truth. The Word tells us that the true church will stand to the end. Saul of Tarsus was a religious man who evidently was sincere and doing what he believed was right as he persecuted the Christians. When he was brought to his knees on the way to Damascus, he surrendered his will and with a contrite spirit asked, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). This illustrates a giving up of one’s will, and we must retain this denial of self all through life. In this spirit, with Christ as our only hope, we can face the future with courage and be assured of God’s blessing. Some sincere individuals struggled for years in their endeavor to find the true people of God. When they finally gave up their opinions, as Saul did on the way to Damascus, and surrendered all, they could gratefully humbly submit to the church of God.

Sadly, too many have left the fold of God’s people and claim to have found deliverance from the bondage of church dogma. These unfaithful members readily criticize the direction of the church and its leadership, labelling it as a human institution. However, as one observes their fruits, we find they progressively accept more error in doctrine and walk of life. While they like to claim undivided allegiance to Christ, it is obvious they are only being influenced by another set of teachers.

Questions

1. Paul wrote about “the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9). How do we see this revealed in our time?
2. We are careful not to be judgmental, yet we need to beware of false teachers. How do we find the right way in this?
3. How do we discern the difference between a sure confidence in God and self-confidence?
4. We believe that individual conviction is very necessary. However, what causes one to insist on getting direction from God directly before heeding concerns of the brethren?
5. Satan may not tempt us with things that are far out but rather tempts us with teachings that sound right but are slightly off course. How careful should we be about using songs and writings of authors whose belief system may be questionable?

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).