False Teachers
10 February 2021
Key Verse: Jeremiah 23: 16 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you; they are deluding you. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.”
There are many reasons why the people of Jeremiah’s day became corrupt, but one of the contributing factors was the way in which the teachers lulled the people into a false sense of security. These teachers had a large and enthusiastic audience and they were charismatic characters making them very popular with the people. This was because they told them exactly what they wanted to hear verse 17 “They keep saying to those who despise the word of the LORD, “It shall be well with you”; and to all who stubbornly follow their own stubborn hearts, they say, “No calamity shall come upon you.”
People often ask ‘How can we tell the difference between true and false prophets?’ We should look at four aspects of their lives:
- False teachers may appear to live according to God’s design, but on closer inspection based on God’s word they do not live for God but for self. Do you see the fruit of the Spirit working through their lives Galatians 5: 22-23 “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”
- False teachers tamper with God’s message, they make it more palatable to the listener. This is not something new look back to the garden of Eden Genesis 3: 1-7 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die, for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.” In all things we should always test what is being said against God’s word. Remember our Lords words when tempted by Satan Matthew 4:4 “But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ””
- This one ties in to the point above, false teachers subtly encourage their listeners to test God by neglecting Him, and they lead the listener away from God sometimes permanently. We should test everything against God’s word, in 1 John 4:1-3 we are given some very practical advice “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”. Paul reminds us “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- With false teachers there is a tendency to arrogance, they are self-serving and are more interested in the praise of people that in pleasing God. Romans 16: 17-18 “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded.”
In all things we must test what is being said against God’s Word and constant prayerfulness to see what is true and the will of God, Romans 12: 1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” so that we will not be tempted by false teachers.