False Teachers Among Us?

Those who have been called to do the preaching and teaching of the word of God have a tremendous responsibility.  Perhaps their greatest task is to present the truth from God, and to continually be aware of the warnings about those who would intentionally teach something that is false.  Even during the earthly ministry of Jesus he gave us instructions to watch for the false teachers that would come.

In the writings of Peter, recorded in 2 Peter 2, he brings a message about these false teachers, and the reality of their presence among the early Christians.  Read the first several verses.

”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."

Peter had heard the warnings from Jesus himself, and now as Peter writes, he wants his readers and listeners to be aware of the fact, "they are here!"   Here is how you will recognize them.  They will introduce you to destructive teachings.  Peter calls their teaching, heresies.  Also, he says they are recognizable by their denying the sovereign Lord who bought them. 

It's not a popular thought to consider, but there were some of these, right in the middle of the beginning of the Lord's church, the spread of the gospel, and now especially in teachings meant for young Christians as they strived for spiritual maturity. 

Footnotes in my Bible describe them like this,  "They are telling people only what they wish to hear.  They are twisting Christ's teachings and the words of his apostles.  They are belittling the significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  Some claimed that Jesus couldn't be God; others claimed that he couldn't have been a real man.  These teachers encouraged all kinds of wrong and immoral acts. "

So just as false teachers were a problem in Old Testament days when they contradicted the prophets, they also worked against Jesus in his ministry, and they tried to make the death, burial and resurrection insignificant.  

Every teaching you encounter must be measured alongside Bible truth.  The only evaluation you can make in determining if something is a false teaching is to check it out to see it is supported by and coincides with God's Word.  That applies to every Christian book, tape, DVD, TV program, pulpit sermon, Bible class message, and yes, even Christian blogs.  They all must be based on Bible truth, magnifying Jesus as Lord and Savior, and glorifying God.

Now you know why I encourage you from time to time to "stay close to the Word!"  Those who are regular Bible readers and actually constant students of Scripture, can spot false teaching instantly. 

"Thank you God, for giving us your truth.  May we always be steadfast in our journey toward maturity through learning more and trusting more in you.  Amen."

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