Identifying False Teachers

Both Peter and John warned that there would be false teachers who would try to mislead the Christians.   They were concerned that the Christians might fall for their teachings.  In the church at Galatia, Paul had observed how easily this could happen, as we see in Galatians 1:6-9.  “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.  But 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.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”  He had been amazed at how easily they had accepted perversions of the gospel and warned them that it didn’t matter if it was one of the apostles themselves, or one of the angels, if they were teaching contrary to the scriptures they were cursed by God. 

Shortly before his arrest. In Acts 20:29-30, he warned  the church at Ephesus, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”  While some of the false teachers would be from other groups, some of the most dangerous would come from their own ranks, just as Peter warned, in II Peter 2:1.  “…There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”

In II Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul warned, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”  Like Satan, they pass themselves off as ministers of the gospel.  Frequently, like Judas Iscariot, they are the most respected and trusted in the entire group, and no one ever questions their love for God until after they have betrayed the Lord.

Aware of the danger, John gives some specific things to look for to identify false teachers and those who are motivated by the wrong spirit.  In I John 4:1, he instructs, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. “  We should not blindly accept what the experts tell us, but check out what they say.  The People of Berea were greater Christians than others, because they checked out what they were being taught, according to Acts 17:11.   “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  If we are going to be strong Christians, we need to learn to check out what we are taught. 

The first thing John tells us to look for is in I John 4:2-3.  “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”  The first thing to look for is what they believe about Jesus Christ.   If they do not believe he is God come in the flesh, that he was executed and raised from the dead as propitiation for our sins, they are teaching another Jesus or another gospel, and are inspired by the same satanic spirit that will inspire the Antichrist during the Tribulation.    It doesn’t matter whether they are famous theologian, or the head of some great religion, they are cursed of God and will be cast into hell. 

I John 4:4 instructs us to examine their lifestyle.  “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  Because we have been given the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us, we are no longer enslaved by sin.  An examination of those teachers lifestyle gives good indication as to whether they are led by the Holy Spirit or by some other spirit. 

According to I John 4:5 we next need to examine their focus.  “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”   If they are primarily focused on earthly things such as the health, or wealth, or social problems or politics, for example, they are of the world, rather than of God.   checking out who they associate with and the kinds of crowds they dray makes it easy to tell where the focus is.  The things they focus on may e important, but they should not be the primary focus. 

The fourth thing to be considered is the attitude toward God’s church and the scriptures.   I John 4:6 tells us, “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.”  If they are from God, they will be interested in strengthening  the church and learning what God has said.  If they are trying to tear down the church, or reject God’s word it is a clear indication they are inspired by a satanic spirit rather than a godly one. 

We have already looked at the final test, John gives in I John 4:7-8.  “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”  Jesus said that our love for others would be the most important evidence that we know Christ.   Love is an automatic result of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and as we have seen before if we do not have the Holy Spirit, we are not God’s children.  Thus a person who does not have a deep love for others cannot be led by God’s Spirit, since God is love personified.

When we apply these principles we can identify most false teachers rather easily.  Unfortunately, we find that many of the most popular religious figures throughout history fall into that category.    Take the trouble to check out those around you.  Some of them are false teachers as well.