How to Deal with False Teachers

II John 1:7-13

Several years ago, on a business trip to Los Angeles, I was shocked as we went down the freeway. I had no clue what the doctrinal stance of most of the churches I passed was. The names gave no indication of what they believed, and there was no affiliation with a group or of what they believed to assist me. I realize that such statements are often inaccurate, but they at least suggest what they believe. Unfortunately, some deliberately choose names to deceive. Using a name such as Disciples of Christ, Church of God, or Church of Christ does not necessarily mean they are or are not of God. It may just mean they liked the name, or that they thought it would get people to come. Cults may use such names to hide what they really believe.

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” (II John 1:7)

Anyone who does not believe that Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh to save mankind is not from God. Because some are able to confuse people with their words, I John 4 gives a series of tests to determine whether what they teach is from God. A failure to find out whether it is really God’s teaching may leave us expending our efforts on things counter to God’s intention, leaving us with no rewards when we stand before him.

“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” (II John 1:8)

Colossians 2:19 warns, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” In the messages to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, John sends the messages to the angels of the seven churches. The word angel can mean either what we normally think of as angels, or a special messenger. In Revelation 2 and 3, it refers to the pastors or leaders of the individual churches. Similar structure is used in Colossians 2:19.

Christ, not the church leader, is to be head of the church. When we begin to set him above others, or his teachings ahead of Christ’s, we are no longer serving the Lord. Most of the tests in I John 4 relate to comparing the life style and teachings to those of the scripture to see whether they are of God.

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (II John 1:9)

As I John 4:6 says, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” The Apostles were very Clear in Acts 5:29. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” To follow their instruction rather than God’s is dangerous to our spiritual life.

“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (II John 1:10-11)

In Romans 16:17, Paul instructs, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Associating with them, encouragement, and financial support all imply we are in agreement with their deceit. We are not to do so. As I John 2:21 says, “…no lie is of the truth.”

There is no substitute for face to face contact. Written messages, videos or phone conversations do not have the same impact as personal contact. John anticipates that contact to deliver most of what he has to say, closing with hid intent for personal meeting.

“Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.” (II John 1:12-13)