11 Signs of False Teachers / Jude 8-13

During this sermon series, we have begun to unfold the danger and reality of false teachers. False teachers lead people away from what is true and life-giving. If they can, they’d like to lead you astray.

When you think of false teachers, you might picture creepy villain like figures. Maybe they walk around in all black with hoods over their heads (like our middle school boys). Maybe they have a sinister stare. I wish it were this easy to spot them. Instead, Jude will teach us that noticing false teachers takes discernment.

If you want to learn more about God, you will encounter a lot of different claims. Especially if you are getting your knowledge from tik tok and youtube. If you continue to pursue truth, you will encounter false teachers.

Here are 11 signs of false teachers:

They trust their experience over the word.

8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams,

Can God speak through dreams? Absolutely! He spoke to Joseph and Daniel through dreams. But your dinner can also speak through dreams. Drugs can speak through dreams. Reliable dreams and visions will never disagree with God’s word.

2. They twist the beauty of sex.

defile the flesh,

This little phrase refers to sexual immorality. Sex is a gift given to be enjoyed by a husband and a wife to produce life. Outside of this context, it leads to shame and regret. False teachers, twist the beauty of sex and make it a tool of selfish indulgence instead of selfless connection between a husband and a wife.

3. They oppose godly leaders.

reject authority,

Unless, they are in authority and leadership, false teachers reject godly leaders. Don’t follow people who are quick to grumble against godly leadership.

4. They presume spiritual power.

and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

Michael is the head angel. The leader of those with spiritual power. If any angelic being could’ve directly rebuked the devil, it would’ve been Michael. But even he deferred to God’s power over Satan.

False teachers claim to have power in the spiritual realm. A realm they don’t even understand.

Notice that how the bible calls us to respond to the Devil. He calls us to flee and resist. Not rebuke and fight.

False teachers are simply reacting on instinct instead of being informed by God’s word.

5. They have hidden anger.

11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain

1 John 3:12 "We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous."

They have a relationship with the godly, but they are jealous. The beautiful actions of Christians exposes their bitterness and increases their anger.

6. They are motivated by money.

and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error

Balaam was a prophet in the old testament who led Israel into sin even though he knew what was true. He did this because of bribery.

There are many potential benefits to being a spiritual leader:

some get famous

some like to being charge

Some think it is a way to get rich

If you sense that a spiritual leader is in it for their own kingdom over God’s kingdom, stop listening to them.

7. They cause suspicion against God’s appointed leaders.

and perished in Korah's rebellion.

Korah was an Israelite who began to mistrust Moses’ leadership. He didn’t understand what made moses special. He and all 250 of his conspirators died.

God appointed leaders will be selected because of their humility and affirmation by the church. If someone begins to wish for prideful self-appointment to a position of leadership. Do not support or follow them.

8. They don’t fear God.

12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear,

They laugh, they eat, they take communion, but it all means nothing to them. They view the word of God like they view the wisdom of man. They will cause the church to sink if they aren’t recognized and rebuked.

9. They put themselves first.

shepherds feeding themselves;

Shepherds are called to feed the sheep. Protect the sheep. Lead the sheep. But false teachers, make sure that they get what they need first. They’ll be clothed with wool and their tummy will be stuffed with lamb legs.

They use you to make themselves feel good. They take the churches money. They use the churches time. The church exists to serve them. The church exists to increase their followers and need for affirmation.

10. They promise, but don’t deliver.

waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame;

Lot’s of thunder and lightning, no rain. They don’t deliver when we need them the most. Big crashes and sounds, but only foam in the end.

11. They attract, but quickly fade.

wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

Like shooting stars, they may appear bright and interesting. But they will quickly fade into darkness. They have a reservation with God. And it is a reservation of judgement because of their harm in the church.

Wow, so this leaves us with a few important questions...

What should I do If I sense a person is a false teacher?

Stop listening to them

Start listening to those who rightly handle the truth

Confront them privately

(then and only then) warn others publicly

Charles Spurgeon and the Barnum Circus invitation

“Dear Mr. Barnum:

Thank you for your kind invitation to lecture in your circus tents in America. You will find my answer in Acts 13:10.

Very sincerely yours,

Charles H. Spurgeon”

“You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?”

What if I fear that I am a false teacher?

You’re not

Talk to a godly friend

What if I am a false teacher?

turn and trust