**11 REMINDERS ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS**

# 1 - So much of false teaching boils down to the same thing: Final authority becomes something other than the objective standard of God's word (2 Tim. 3:16).

Satan used the Bible (out of context, mind you – another mark of a false teacher) to tempt Jesus. False teachers follow his example by twisting Scripture to justify sinful desires.Don't be deceived.

#2 - The most effective false teachers know how to make people feel comfortable in their sin, and use Scripture to do it.

Pray for discernment.

#3 - False teachers are often sincere and passionate (2 Tim. 2:16-18).

They are still false teachers.

#4 - False teachers use religion to secure power, steal money, and satisfy their lusts with those they should be serving.

“False prophets in sheep’s clothing are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). How much more ravenous then are such prophets in shepherd’s clothing.

#5 - False teachers make false converts and false converts hire false teachers.

Salvation comes to everyone who believes. However, the validity of a man’s confession of faith is confirmed or proven false by his life.

#6 - False gospels are seductive because they always tell you that you are more righteous than you are and have more power than you possess.

There's a name for those pastors who never speak of sin, repentance, or hell—they're called false teachers.

#7 - False teachers wouldn't have such influence if professing Christians would stop giving them a platform.

Stop watching. Stop buying. "My people love false prophecy, but what will you do when the end comes?" Jer. 5:31. Let the final day have its present force.

#8 - Much false teaching begins with the assumption that God means to give us our best life now instead of our best life later.

If you don't hear hard things from your preacher, don't trust him. The false prophet says "Peace, Peace, where there is no peace" (Jer. 6:14).

#9 - False shepherds use authority to abuse the flock Jesus purchased with His own blood.

"I don't care if the teaching is false because it makes me feel better." There's a Bible verse about this -> 2 Timothy 4:3

#10 - False prophets come in sheep's clothing, but don't bear fruit.

The beauty of fleece and the beauty of fruit are not the same. The remedy for the distortion of true doctrine is not to replace it with a false doctrine less vulnerable to the distortions.

#11 - We don't want to be boring teachers, but it is better to be a boring teacher than a false teacher.

False teaching in a church is like a cancer that if not cut out, will spread, cripple, weaken and kill the church.

For false teachers, the big question is which message will win human applause. For faithful pastors, it's pleasing the Lord above. Pray for your church to be the latter.

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**FALSE TEACHERS IN 2 PETER**

Think about the last time you felt different—when you were on the outside, wanting to be on the inside. We all deal with the desire to fit in.

When it comes to matters of right and wrong, this herd mentality can be dangerous. How do we know what is right and wrong? How do we spot false teachers?

Second Peter 2:1-9 helps us answer three questions to know what truth is and what is not.

**1. What do false teachers do? (2:1-3)**

False teachers betray and harm Christians. They claim to have a “word” from God, but they are instruments of the evil one. They succeed for a time (2:2).

Surface-level Christianity will always be popular, but it is extremely dangerous. Much of false teaching boils down to placing final authority on something other than God’s Word.

Christians understand that some who claim to be “Christians” really aren’t. True believers recognize their lack of virtue and find their confidence in Jesus Christ—in His perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection. A true Jesus-follower repents of their sins, unlike the false teachers in 2 Peter.

Be alert and cautious. Ponder how well-equipped you are to guard against false teaching and teachers.

How do you recognize a false teacher? They:

- Have bad fruit. We can never lay discernment aside.

- Exhibit greed. They often minister for monetary gain.

- Lead depraved lives. Teachers should strive to live up to what they preach.

False doctrine can be appealing. If you give in to greed and sin, you set your mind to desire false teaching that blesses you in your sin. This is how heresy grows in a church.

This is why fellowship is so important—because it exposes our lives to others. Drive yourself to the uncomfortable area of letting others know you well—spiritually, above all—in your local church.

There will be frauds in the church. We are all guilty of sin (Romans 3:10-23), but hypocrites are committed to remaining in sin. Don’t think that because there are hypocrites, real Christians don’t exist. You don’t stop shopping at the grocery store because there are hypocrites there, do you? Get to know a genuine Christian before drawing false conclusions about Christianity.

As Christians, the reference point for all our actions is the triune God. What would your friends and family say about the God you serve based on your actions this week? What can we do to honor Christ? We want our lives to be attractive for Christ’s sake (2 Corinthians 2:15). The battle against false teaching is won not just by decrying false religion but by practicing true religion.

**2. What will be done to these teachers? (2:4-6)**

They will be punished. God will judge sinners.

Who determines what’s right and wrong? Only God, who is perfectly holy and good, can say what is ultimately right and wrong.

Because God is good, there will be condemnation for sin. Judgment may not be instant—many in the Bible existed for a time before being judged (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19). A delay in judgment is part of God’s grace, but it is not a denial of judgment. Do you really think you’ve seen all of God’s judgment on your sin?

**3. What happens to those who truly know Christ? (2:7-9)**

Christianity teaches that we don’t have our best life now. Real Christianity doesn’t disguise problems but challenges, acknowledges, rejects, and heals them. Don’t be discouraged by trials. God will continue to be kind through them. We will be rescued (2:9). Christians have the hope of eternal fellowship with Christ; He made us for Himself. When we are in close communion with Him, we are most satisfied.

Paul tells Timothy in another letter (2 Timothy 4:1-6) to detach himself from false teachers who define their own gospel and surround themselves with false teachers. As a result, Timothy was told to preach the truth at all times.

Churches can’t be built on popular fads or pastoral personalities. The church must be based on the truth of God’s Word. The world has never wanted to listen to be rebuked by God’s Word. Discomfort with God’s truth isn’t new. Speaking Christ crucified has always been a stumbling block, but it is the truth and wisdom of God and must be proclaimed.

Scripture contains all that a Christian needs to preserve the church from false teaching (2 Timothy 3:16). Are you building the Bible into your life in every conceivable way, Christian? Does the account of Scripture have a place in your mind and heart?

The Scriptures are all-sufficient and won’t disappoint, especially when knowing biblical truth from falsehood.

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**FALSE TEACHERS IN 2 JOHN**

John writes his second letter to a woman called the “chosen lady,” known for her hospitality towards traveling preachers. In those times, hotels were rare, so people depended on such generosity. However, false teachers also took advantage of this kindness. John warns against supporting them, emphasizing that it harms the cause of truth. This warning is timeless, reminding us to discern and avoid supporting those who oppose God's Word.

1. Infiltration

The greatest threat to the church is from within. Satan tries to infiltrate through false teachers who seem appealing but bring deceptive teachings. John addresses this in 2 John 10: "if anyone comes to you." These false teachers don't bring the sound doctrine of Christ.

Sound doctrine, or truth, is crucial:

- It is the faith delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

- It aligns with what the apostles taught (Acts 2:42).

Truth is God's Word, not cultural or majority opinions. It is essential for salvation, discerning God’s will, and Christian growth. Marginalizing truth leads to trouble.

False teachers mix truth with lies, appearing on various platforms to deceive. They deny Christ's humanity and deity, thus denying key doctrines like the Trinity, virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, resurrection, and ascension.

John warns that these deceivers try to infiltrate the church, using believers as entry points. The heart of the gospel is Jesus Christ; being wrong about Him means being wrong about the gospel and everything else. New Testament writers repeatedly warned against such infiltration (e.g., Acts 20:29, 2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 1:9).

2. Rejection

False teachers must be rejected immediately, as stated in 2 John 10. Do not welcome them or even greet them, as this gives them credibility and a platform. True love involves preventing them from spreading their destructive path.

3. Explanation

Verse 11 explains the strong stance in verse 10. Greeting a false teacher makes one complicit in their evil deeds. This emphasizes the need for sharp distinctions between truth and error, God and the devil.

Believers should not partner with unbelievers in ministry (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Instead, support true preachers and churches that honor God's Word. Loyalty to biblical truth should surpass family ties or tradition.

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In short, rejecting false teachers is a clear, fundamental principle rooted in God's Word. May we be prayerfully on guard as we seek to glorify God at FBCJ!