False teachings

Examples of false teachings

Revelation 2:14–15 NIV

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

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Qualities of false teachings

They are valueless

Matthew 15:9 NIV

They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”

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They are destructive in their nature

2 Peter 2:1 NIV

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

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They have the capacity to lead people astray

Acts 20:30 NIV

Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

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They may be popular

2 Peter 2:2 NIV

Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.

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They may be accompanied by miraculous signs

Matthew 24:24 NIV

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

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The origin of false teachings

Demonic inspiration

1 Timothy 4:1–2 NIV

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

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Human error

2 Peter 2:3 NIV

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

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Discerning false teachings

By their content

1 John 4:2–3 NIV

This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

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By the teacher’s lifestyle

Matthew 7:15–20 NIV

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

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By their effects

1 Timothy 6:3–5 NIV

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

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The antidote to false teachings

Holding fast to the true gospel

1 John 2:24 NIV

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

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Shunning false teachers

Romans 16:17–18 NIV

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

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