Recognize a False Teacher?

Over time, many people come and go from churches.  People today church shop.  They are looking for the church with the ideal program to nuture their children. They are looking for a doctrine which they think is sound and for the proper fellowship to suit their needs.  They may or may not be looking for church programs to enrich their lives such as men's and women's ministries, support groups etc.

But lately something strange is happening which I thought I should talk about.  I am meeting more and more people who enter our church doors and have been exposed to false teachers.  Clara*, a women whom I spoke to at a church coffee, had been converted by an online Pastor whom she seemed quite devoted to.  His special interpretation of the Bible and numerological analysis of national events left me very concerned for her salvation.

There was also this couple who decided to attend a few bible studies at our church.  They seemed sweet and big-hearted.  I introduced myself to this couple after one such bible study and started to converse about their thoughtful comments.  The husband's response included a reference to a favorite Pastor of his.  He asked me if I knew ******?  I replied that I vaguely knew of the Pastor he was referring to.  He told me, "you gotta check out his you tube videos."  That evening, I was horrified to hear this Pastor intregrate "ancient alien theory" with Christianity.

These are but a few examples of what I have begun to experience on a regular basis.  There are a lot of reasons why I believe that this is a phenomenon.  The amount of information available on the internet to answer your spiritual questions is endless.  As you wade through this stuff, there are obviously going to be good and bad sources.  Many people are honestly searching for understanding or perhaps comfort when they begin their online search.  They might be lonely or vulnerable after a divorce or job lose.  Perhaps this is their first exposure to the Bible.  So, then it is quite understandable that they might be drawn to a teacher who wraps the whole thing up with a pretty bow or somehow gives them  a summary of the whole Christianity thing.

Jesus Is Central
The first clue that something is wrong usually comes when the person I am speaking to refers oftener to a pastor than to Jesus Christ.  Clara, referred to above, was so dependent upon her online Pastor, that she actually called him to get "permission" to attend our church.  Nary a mention of asking God's guidance as she endeavored to find a godly place to worship and fellowship. She could not make a move without this Pastor.  This is the anatomy of how we start slipping away from the path and begin to be mislead.  Christ is the head of the Christian church not Reverend X.
("For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ."  -
2 Corinthians 11:13 NKJV)

The Bible is the Source
The second thing that is usually a clue that someone might be following a false teacher is that they spend more time reading commentaries than the Bible.  The Bible is God's divine revelation to us and contains everything that we need to direct and guide us in all righteousness.  Of course, I am not against reading a commentary but for some people it becomes a crutch.  It is like reading the cliff notes on a book and not the actual book.  Often people blindly accept an explanation of passage that upon closer reflection makes no sense at all.  Whole denominations are mislead this way.
("All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."-2Timothy3:16-17 NKJV)

No Special Revelation
When conducting a bible study at some one's house a few years ago, I passed a book shelf with many titles by prosperity preachers.  Perusing some of the book covers lead me to find that one female author claimed that God gave her a special message that we must all hear!  Many of these books pick a verse or two from the Bible and interpret them in a way that suits the fancy of many of the likely audience.  Never giving readers the choices or the work of following the cross.  As I passed these titles, I knew that what I would be telling that family would likely shock them.  It would be a new and deeper message, but it is the only message that saves.
("Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."-Jude 11:11 KJV)

The Bible tells us to expect false teachers.  There has always been, and will always be, people who distort God's message.  Led by that fallen angel, the attack against us is coordinated to throw us off base as we search for God and a relationship with His Son Jesus.  As you think about living the Christian life or, if you are already a believer, you are bound to confront instances, in your own life that are false starts or wrong paths.  Don't beat yourself up about it.  Turn around as soon as possible and remember the above precepts.
("Then if anyone say to you, 'Look here is the Christ,' or 'There,' do not believe it.  For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible even the elect.  See, I have told you beforehand."-Matthew 24:23-25 NKJV)



******* the names of the false teachers are omitted.
* the name has been changed.