BEHAVIOR AND RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CHURCH

THE DESCRIPTION OF FALSE TEACHERS AND THE APOSTASY:

1 Timothy 4:1–5 KJV 1900

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Aim: To recognize the traits of false teachers and sound the warning.

Memory Verse:

1 Timothy 4:1 KJV 1900

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" ().

.

INTRODUCTION: What can be done in order to protect the Christian believer from the evil tentacles of false teachers? The answer is simpler than you might think: spend a lot of time handling the truth. Dr. Walter Martin gives this illustration:

"The American Banking Association has a training program ... Each year it sends hundreds of bank tellers to Washington in order to teach them to detect counterfeit money, which is a great source of a loss of revenue to the Treasury Department. 'It is most interesting that during the entire two-week training program, no teller touches counterfeit money. Only the original passes through his hands. The reason for this is that the American Banking Association is convinced that if a man is thoroughly familiar with the original, he will not be deceived by the counterfeit bill, no matter how much like the original it appears."

This is a passage that strikes a serious warning to believers—a passage that must be taken ever so seriously by minister and laymen alike. It is the warning about false teachers and their apostasy.

OUTLINE:

1. False teachers will arise in latter times (v.1).

2. Their apostasy (v.1-2).

3. Their doctrine (v.3-5).

1. FALSE TEACHERS WILL ARISE IN THE LATTER DAYS OF HISTORY.

FALSE TEACHERS WILL ARISE IN THE LATTER DAYS OF HISTORY.

The phrase "latter times" means a little later on, not far out in the future. That is, false teachers were to arise within the church almost immediately and continue on through our day and on to the end of time.

The point is well made: the church and the genuine believer have to be constantly on guard against false teaching. The terrible danger of false teaching always confronts the church and believer.

And note: this is a revelation of the Spirit of God Himself. It is not the idea of some preacher seeking recognition because of his novel idea. It is the warning of God's Spirit. The Spirit has spoken in specific terms so that there can be no question about what is being said. False teachers will arise in the latter times.

ILLUSTRATION:

There is a web of conspiracy that has been inspired by the devil. He has no problem finding willing individuals to do his bidding. The scary thing is that his volunteers look a lot like the real thing, the teachers of truth!

The story has been told of a conversation between two fallen angels.

"Trickster" and "Tempter" returned to their demonic den after another day of destroying the lives of people. Sitting at the table, they began to compare their dastardly notes. "What did you do today?" sneered Tempter. With an evil grin, Trickster spoke in arrogant breaths.

"I've had a great day. Several of my projects are finally beginning to bear fruit. Today a pastor made the decision to rationalize the miracles in the Bible.

A seminary professor has agreed with our master's agenda and is willing to recruit students to worship anyone but Christ.

A Sunday school teacher has turned in his teacher's book and has decided to replace the study of the Bible with an 'a sports' class.' "Why, that's nothing compared to what I've done today!" responded Tempter.

"I've convinced the choir director to forget the worship of God and to use popular music in the worship services here and there in order to appeal to a broader crowd. He has found a verse in the Bible to justify what he is doing. I've also been at work in the heart of the pastor of another church. I've convinced him that he is the reason for the success of the church and it is up to him to hear God's will for every member. He is going to be the best dictator since Hitler!

" All of the sudden the door was blown open and there was Satan basking in his evil light. "I've overheard what you have done. But that is not enough! Get back to work...NOW!" Satan stays busy placing false teachers into key places of influence. He never rests—and neither can you.

QUESTIONS:

1. Are there any false teachers living in your generation?

2. What are some characteristics that have brought the false teachers to light?

3. What can you do to guard yourself from the schemes of false teachers?

2. THEIR APOSTASY (v. 1-2). The apostasy of the false teachers is serious, so serious that it should make us search our hearts.

False teachers commit four tragic errors.

1. False teachers "depart from the faith."

Note: they are within the church, within the field of religion. This passage is not dealing with the philosophies and false teachings taught by the unbelievers out in the world. It is talking about false teachers within the church itself. The Spirit of God is warning us: some preachers and some teachers will turn away from the faith and become false teachers. They will turn away from the Lord Jesus Christ, away from the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 KJV 1900

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" ().

APPLICATION: There is only one true faith that can save a person. A person can have all kinds of faith and he can have faith in all kinds of people, things, and religions. But only one faith can save a person: the faith in God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the faith from which a person must never depart.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

john

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" ().

2. False teachers give attention to seducing spirits and teachings of devils.

There are all kinds of evil spirits throughout the world, spirits that are set on seducing and deceiving people. They are set on leading people to follow them and their ideas and teachings. They do all they can to turn people away from the doctrine and faith of Christ. And note: the method they use is not a frontal attack, not a clear or loud declaration against the truth. They mix some truth with error. Their method is to... · seduce · deceive · delude · lure · entice · attract · persuade · charm · appear as light and truth

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 KJV 1900

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.

"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. 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" ().

3. False teachers speak lies in hypocrisy.

Very simply, they teach something different from what the Scripture says, and they know it. They know they are not teaching what Scripture says. In fact, some false teachers take pride in their stand against what they call "a literal interpretation" of Scripture. Some even mock and poke fun at those who believe and hold to the truth of Scripture.

But note what is so often overlooked:

Þ "Speaking lies" means speaking and teaching what is contrary to Scripture. This is exactly what Scripture is declaring. In the eyes of Scripture, a lie is a teaching that is contrary to the teaching of Scripture.

Þ "In hypocrisy" means the teacher knows that he is teaching contrary to Scripture. He claims to be a minister or teacher of God, Christ, and the Word (Scripture), and yet he teaches something contrary to what Scripture says.

A hypocrite is a person who claims to be one thing but he is something else. The point is this: the false teacher is a person who speaks lies in hypocrisy. He denies, refutes, or ignores what Scripture says and he knows it; yet he claims to be a minister or teacher of Christ and the gospel. This is the person who is an instrument or tool of some seducing and deceptive spirit, who teaches the doctrines of evil spirits.

Matthew 15:7–9 KJV 1900

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Titus 1:16 KJV 1900

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (). "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" ().

APPLICATION: William Barclay has an excellent statement on men becoming tools of Satan and evil spirits.

"It was from these evil spirits and demons that this false teaching came. But though it came from the demons, it came through men....Now here is the threatening and the terrible thing. We know that God and God's Spirit are everywhere looking for men to use. God is always searching for men who will be His instruments, His weapons, His tools in the world. But here we come face to face with the terrible fact that the forces of evil are also looking for men to use. Just as God seeks men for His purposes, the forces of evil seek men for their purposes. Here is the terrible responsibility of manhood. Man can accept the service of God, or the service of the devil. Man can become an instrument of the Supreme Good or the Supreme Evil. Men are faced with the eternal choice—to whom are we to give our lives, to God or to God's enemy? Are we to decide to be used by God, or are we to decide to be used by the devil?"

4. False teachers have consciences that are seared, that is, cauterized, hardened, and insensitive.

It does not bother most false teachers to teach contrary to the truth of Scripture. They can ignore and deny the Scripture and present their own ideas and it does not bother them at all. They are totally insensitive to the preachings and convictions of God's Spirit. They have no conscience and no remorse about twisting the Scriptures and the truth about Christ. They are completely past feeling any kind of movement from God's Spirit.

Acts 28:27 KJV 1900

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Proverbs 29:1 KJV 1900

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

prov

QUESTIONS:

"He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (). QUESTIONS: 1. Where is the most logical place for Satan to plant his false teachers? 2. What types of things should believers beware of and look for in its preachers and teachers? 3. What happens to the conscience of a false teacher? 4. Once a false teacher has seared his conscience, is it too late for him to repent? Why?

1. Where is the most logical place for Satan to plant his false teachers?

2. What types of things should believers beware of and look for in its preachers and teachers?

3. What happens to the conscience of a false teacher?

4. Once a false teacher has seared his conscience, is it too late for him to repent? Why?