False Teachers

I. Humbleness in addressing error

Possible to be right and obnoxious at the same time

2 Corinthians 11:1 “I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me!”

II. Compassion for those affected by error

2 Corinthians 11:2–3 “For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Our understanding of gender roles affects our understanding of God

Men are to be an earthly example of a heavenly reality. We are to exhibit the qualities that God shows as our heavenly father to our wives and children

We are given the role as the head of our households to be the gatekeeper of false teaching in our home.

III. Departure from authentic faith

2 Corinthians 11:4 “For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

Common and frequent warnings in Scripture.

From Jesus

Matthew 7:15 ““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Matthew 13:24 (parable of weeds),

Matthew 24:5 “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

From epistles

Galatians 1:6–9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

Another Jesus

differing from the Christ of scripture. Usually removing his divinity.

JW- deny divinity of Christ and the trinity… famously change John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” to ‘a god’

Mormon- God and Jesus are reduced to glorified men in a pantheon of glorified men

Islam- Jesus is a prophet and not God

Hindu- Jesus is one of many avatars of vishnu

Buddhism- God doesn’t exist or is impersonal. Jesus is a good teacher

As Christians, we must define Christ as he has defined himself in Scripture

A different spirit

False teaching ultimately comes from Satan

A different gospel

A gospel that does not save… faith vs. works

IV. Paul’s qualifications

2 Corinthians 11:5–11 “Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things. Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!”

Not inferior to ‘super apostles’

Gospel was taught plainly

V. Marks of a false gospel

2 Corinthians 11:12–15 “And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

Disguised

-teaching will be distorted from Biblical teaching even if bible terms are used

-a very positive image is presented to the outside/dark underneath

-usually a charismatic founder that gains either power, money, or sex

Produced by Satan

-origin of false teaching is always satan, garden of eden ‘did God really say?’

Will ultimately receive judgement

Revelation 20:7–15 “And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who…”