For a long time I have been burdened by the knowledge
that the church is full of false teachers and prophets. Their
teaching has damaged, even destroyed many in the church. Many, although not all, of these teachers lead very large
congregations and have huge organizations and thousands of followers. Each week the prayer group of my church
prays against false teaching and specifically that false
teachers and prophets be identified, exposed and
discredited. This post is my extension of that prayer and to my readers to help you identify, expose and discredit the
false teaching that is running rampant throughout the
Body of Christ.
There have always been false prophets and teachers
2 Peter 2:1 (HCSB) But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.
In the Old Testament, we find prophets in Israel who claimed to speak for God, but who were clearly false prophets.
1 Kings 22:5-6, 23 (HCSB)5 But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the LORD’s will is.”6 So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about 400 men, and asked them, “Should I go against Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?” They replied, “March up, and the Lord will hand it over to the king.”23 “You see, the LORD has put a lying spirit into the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”
Ezekiel 13:2 (HCSB) “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD!
Jesus warned us about false prophets
Matthew 24:24-27 (HCSB)24 False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.25 Take note: I have told you in advance.26 So if they tell you, ‘Look, He’s in the wilderness!’ don’t go out; ‘Look, He’s in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
There were also other warnings.
2 Peter 3:3 (HCSB) First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, living according to their own desires,
Jude 1:17-19 (HCSB)17 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;18 they told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers walking according to their own ungodly desires.”19 These people create divisions and are unbelievers, not having the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (HCSB)12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about.13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.
that the church is full of false teachers and prophets. Their
teaching has damaged, even destroyed many in the church. Many, although not all, of these teachers lead very large
congregations and have huge organizations and thousands of followers. Each week the prayer group of my church
prays against false teaching and specifically that false
teachers and prophets be identified, exposed and
discredited. This post is my extension of that prayer and to my readers to help you identify, expose and discredit the
false teaching that is running rampant throughout the
Body of Christ.
There have always been false prophets and teachers
2 Peter 2:1 (HCSB) But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.
In the Old Testament, we find prophets in Israel who claimed to speak for God, but who were clearly false prophets.
1 Kings 22:5-6, 23 (HCSB)5 But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the LORD’s will is.”6 So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about 400 men, and asked them, “Should I go against Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?” They replied, “March up, and the Lord will hand it over to the king.”23 “You see, the LORD has put a lying spirit into the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”
Ezekiel 13:2 (HCSB) “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD!
Jesus warned us about false prophets
Matthew 24:24-27 (HCSB)24 False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.25 Take note: I have told you in advance.26 So if they tell you, ‘Look, He’s in the wilderness!’ don’t go out; ‘Look, He’s in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
There were also other warnings.
2 Peter 3:3 (HCSB) First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, living according to their own desires,
Jude 1:17-19 (HCSB)17 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;18 they told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers walking according to their own ungodly desires.”19 These people create divisions and are unbelievers, not having the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (HCSB)12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about.13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.
The Dangers of False Teaching
Paul described this false teaching as another gospel.
2 Corinthians 11:4 (HCSB) For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!
Galatians 1:11-12 (HCSB)11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not based on human thought.12 For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation from Jesus Christ.
The danger of false teaching is that it ruins the people who listen; it shames the people who teach; it increases ungodliness; and it spreads like gangrene. It leads many Christians astray and causes them to become disillusioned with the church. False teaching causes confusion, disagreements, and disorder rather than love.
2 Timothy 2:14 (HCSB) Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
This gospel is not from God but from Satan.
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (HCSB)12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about.13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.
Galatians 1:6-9 (HCSB)6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ ⌊and are turning⌋ to a different gospel--7 not that there is another ⌊gospel⌋, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah.8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
The best way to guard yourself against false teachers and teaching is to know the truth. Careful study of the Word of God will help you identify a counterfeit because once you know the genuine article you will be able to quickly identify a fake.
2 Timothy 2:15 (HCSB) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
Paul described this false teaching as another gospel.
2 Corinthians 11:4 (HCSB) For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!
Galatians 1:11-12 (HCSB)11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not based on human thought.12 For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation from Jesus Christ.
The danger of false teaching is that it ruins the people who listen; it shames the people who teach; it increases ungodliness; and it spreads like gangrene. It leads many Christians astray and causes them to become disillusioned with the church. False teaching causes confusion, disagreements, and disorder rather than love.
2 Timothy 2:14 (HCSB) Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
This gospel is not from God but from Satan.
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (HCSB)12 But I will continue to do what I am doing, in order to deny the opportunity of those who want an opportunity to be regarded just as our equals in what they boast about.13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.14 And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.15 So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their destiny will be according to their works.
Galatians 1:6-9 (HCSB)6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ ⌊and are turning⌋ to a different gospel--7 not that there is another ⌊gospel⌋, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah.8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
The best way to guard yourself against false teachers and teaching is to know the truth. Careful study of the Word of God will help you identify a counterfeit because once you know the genuine article you will be able to quickly identify a fake.
2 Timothy 2:15 (HCSB) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
False Teachers
Paul describes false teachers as people who teach that you had to obey the Mosaic law and all the trappings that go along with it including the genealogies and then the myths that they dreamed up. He said that they didn’t understand what they were saying and insisting on.
1 Timothy 1:7-9 (HCSB)7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.8 But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.9 We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers
These people were teaching that the way to salvation was through strict obedience to the Mosaic law, in other words works, not through the grace of God.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (HCSB)8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift--9 not from works, so that no one can boast.10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
How to Identify False Teachers
You can identify false teachers by their teachings. If there is an uneasy feeling that it doesn’t square up with Scripture, then study the Word to see if it either lines up with biblical doctrine or it doesn’t.
Titus 1:16 (HCSB) They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.
Matthew 12:33 (HCSB) “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
Here are some tests to determine whether the teaching is true or false.
1) What does this teacher say about Jesus?
Any person who challenges Jesus Christ's work of redemption is suspect. If they deny that Jesus is equal with God, or downplay His sacrificial death, or reject His humanity, refusing to teach that He is at once fully God and fully man, then they are false teachers.
Matthew 16:15-16 (HCSB)15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”
2 John 1:9 (HCSB) Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son.
1 John 2:22 (HCSB) Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah? This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son.
2) Does this teacher preach the gospel?
The gospel is the good news concerning Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (HCSB)1 Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it.2 You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose.3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Things like “God loves you,” “God wants us to feed the hungry,” and “God wants you to be wealthy” sound wonderful, and are wonderful, but they are not the complete message of the gospel. Current events and the injustices of this fallen world are of great importance to the Church and to Christians, but they are not the gospel. No matter how great the orator or preacher if their primary message is not the gospel of Christ...... beware.
3) Does this teacher exhibit character that glorifies the Lord?
Jude11 (HCSB) Woe to them! For they have traveled in the way of Cain, have abandoned themselves to the error of Balaam for profit, and have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Cain was unrighteous;
Genesis 4:4-8 (HCSB)4 And Abel also presented ⌊an offering⌋—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,5 but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent?7 If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Balaam was greedy and prophesied for money;
Numbers 22:7-8 (HCSB)7 The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him.8 He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the LORD tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.
Korah was rebellious and defied authority;
Numbers 16:1-3 (HCSB)1 Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took2 250 prominent Israelite men who were leaders of the community and representatives in the assembly, and they rebelled against Moses.3 They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have gone too far! Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?”
Jesus said we would know these false teachers by their fruits;
Matthew 7:15-20 (HCSB)15 “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit.19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
Paul describes false teachers as people who teach that you had to obey the Mosaic law and all the trappings that go along with it including the genealogies and then the myths that they dreamed up. He said that they didn’t understand what they were saying and insisting on.
1 Timothy 1:7-9 (HCSB)7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.8 But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.9 We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers
These people were teaching that the way to salvation was through strict obedience to the Mosaic law, in other words works, not through the grace of God.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (HCSB)8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift--9 not from works, so that no one can boast.10 For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
How to Identify False Teachers
You can identify false teachers by their teachings. If there is an uneasy feeling that it doesn’t square up with Scripture, then study the Word to see if it either lines up with biblical doctrine or it doesn’t.
Titus 1:16 (HCSB) They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work.
Matthew 12:33 (HCSB) “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
Here are some tests to determine whether the teaching is true or false.
1) What does this teacher say about Jesus?
Any person who challenges Jesus Christ's work of redemption is suspect. If they deny that Jesus is equal with God, or downplay His sacrificial death, or reject His humanity, refusing to teach that He is at once fully God and fully man, then they are false teachers.
Matthew 16:15-16 (HCSB)15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”
2 John 1:9 (HCSB) Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son.
1 John 2:22 (HCSB) Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah? This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son.
2) Does this teacher preach the gospel?
The gospel is the good news concerning Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (HCSB)1 Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it.2 You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose.3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Things like “God loves you,” “God wants us to feed the hungry,” and “God wants you to be wealthy” sound wonderful, and are wonderful, but they are not the complete message of the gospel. Current events and the injustices of this fallen world are of great importance to the Church and to Christians, but they are not the gospel. No matter how great the orator or preacher if their primary message is not the gospel of Christ...... beware.
3) Does this teacher exhibit character that glorifies the Lord?
Jude11 (HCSB) Woe to them! For they have traveled in the way of Cain, have abandoned themselves to the error of Balaam for profit, and have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Cain was unrighteous;
Genesis 4:4-8 (HCSB)4 And Abel also presented ⌊an offering⌋—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD had regard for Abel and his offering,5 but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent?7 If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Balaam was greedy and prophesied for money;
Numbers 22:7-8 (HCSB)7 The elders of Moab and Midian departed with fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and reported Balak’s words to him.8 He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will give you the answer the LORD tells me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.
Korah was rebellious and defied authority;
Numbers 16:1-3 (HCSB)1 Now Korah son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took2 250 prominent Israelite men who were leaders of the community and representatives in the assembly, and they rebelled against Moses.3 They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have gone too far! Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?”
Jesus said we would know these false teachers by their fruits;
Matthew 7:15-20 (HCSB)15 “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit.19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
False Prophets
A prophet speaks divinely inspired messages to others. God tells the prophet what to say and the prophet tells others what God said. I want to emphasize that prophecy is forth telling not fortune telling. Prophecy is speaking the word of God that He gives to individuals for edification, not fortune telling.
How to Identify a False Prophet
What about somebody who prophesies something and it comes true?
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 (HCSB)1 “If a prophet or someone who has dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you,2 and that sign or wonder he has promised you comes about, but he says, ‘Let us follow other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us worship them,’3 do not listen to that prophet’s words or to that dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul.
What do you do after you Identify false teaching, teachers, or prophets
The sad and most dangerous thing is that these are people who are professing Christians and who want to be considered holy.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (HCSB)1 But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days.2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!
They have, however, only a form of godliness, only the external appearance of following Gospel doctrine and practice; the power is lacking. Only the Holy Spirit makes profession a reality; the faith without the works and fruit of the Spirit is dead. Denying, a strong word, implies knowing and yet decisively rejecting the truth. From such turn away. The expression may mean "repel them from you" as a good soldier repels a foe. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Expose and Avoid Them
Ephesians 5:11 (HCSB) Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Do not have fellowship. Again, literally, stop having fellowship. But rather rebuke. If a Christian is in fellowship with his Lord, his very life will be a reproof to the world. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary -
2 John 1:7-11 (HCSB)7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.8 Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.9 Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son.10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don’t say, “Welcome,” to him;11 for the one who says, “Welcome,” to him shares in his evil works.
The if assumes the case, not merely expresses the possibility. In other words, such people were coming into Christians' homes under a friendly guise (cf. Didache 11).. The injunction is to refuse such ones Christian hospitality. This is a severe measure, particularly when one remembers that hospitality is generally enjoined in the NT. Do not say a greeting of sympathy. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Titus 3:10 (NLT) If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
In other words identify, expose, and then avoid all false teaching, teachers, and prophets. Do what Paul advises the Corinthians...follow those that follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (HCSB) Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
But even more than that study the Word of God for yourself. As I said before if you know the real article you can easily identify the counterfeit.
Psalm 119:11 (HCSB) I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119:105 (HCSB) Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
Joshua 1:8 (HCSB) This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.
Matthew 4:4 (HCSB) But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Romans 15:4 (HCSB) For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.
Let's work together to rid the Body of Christ of the false teaching that casts a shadow over the love of God for mankind, the sacrifice of Jesus for our sin, and the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain us.
A prophet speaks divinely inspired messages to others. God tells the prophet what to say and the prophet tells others what God said. I want to emphasize that prophecy is forth telling not fortune telling. Prophecy is speaking the word of God that He gives to individuals for edification, not fortune telling.
How to Identify a False Prophet
- Have all their prophecies come true and have they been 100 percent accurate without any manipulation?
- Does the prophet point to anyone other than the Jesus?
- Does the prophet use supernatural or occultist techniques in their prophecy?
- Does the supposed prophet have a rebellious, unrepentant spirit?
What about somebody who prophesies something and it comes true?
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 (HCSB)1 “If a prophet or someone who has dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you,2 and that sign or wonder he has promised you comes about, but he says, ‘Let us follow other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us worship them,’3 do not listen to that prophet’s words or to that dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul.
What do you do after you Identify false teaching, teachers, or prophets
The sad and most dangerous thing is that these are people who are professing Christians and who want to be considered holy.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (HCSB)1 But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days.2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!
They have, however, only a form of godliness, only the external appearance of following Gospel doctrine and practice; the power is lacking. Only the Holy Spirit makes profession a reality; the faith without the works and fruit of the Spirit is dead. Denying, a strong word, implies knowing and yet decisively rejecting the truth. From such turn away. The expression may mean "repel them from you" as a good soldier repels a foe. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Expose and Avoid Them
Ephesians 5:11 (HCSB) Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Do not have fellowship. Again, literally, stop having fellowship. But rather rebuke. If a Christian is in fellowship with his Lord, his very life will be a reproof to the world. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary -
2 John 1:7-11 (HCSB)7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.8 Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward.9 Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son.10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don’t say, “Welcome,” to him;11 for the one who says, “Welcome,” to him shares in his evil works.
The if assumes the case, not merely expresses the possibility. In other words, such people were coming into Christians' homes under a friendly guise (cf. Didache 11).. The injunction is to refuse such ones Christian hospitality. This is a severe measure, particularly when one remembers that hospitality is generally enjoined in the NT. Do not say a greeting of sympathy. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Titus 3:10 (NLT) If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.
In other words identify, expose, and then avoid all false teaching, teachers, and prophets. Do what Paul advises the Corinthians...follow those that follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (HCSB) Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
But even more than that study the Word of God for yourself. As I said before if you know the real article you can easily identify the counterfeit.
Psalm 119:11 (HCSB) I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119:105 (HCSB) Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
Joshua 1:8 (HCSB) This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.
Matthew 4:4 (HCSB) But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Romans 15:4 (HCSB) For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.
Let's work together to rid the Body of Christ of the false teaching that casts a shadow over the love of God for mankind, the sacrifice of Jesus for our sin, and the power of the Holy Spirit to sustain us.
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