Labeling “False Teachers”

False teachers were problematic in the first-century church, evidenced by the repeated warnings of Jesus and his apostles and most apparent in the New Testament books of Galatians, 1-2 Timothy, 2 Peter, Jude, 1-2 John, and Revelation. Biblical reminders about being alert and on guard are still relevant today and just as important as in the early church.¹

The New Testament speaks of ...

o   false prophets (Matt. 7:15; 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 13:6; 2 Pet. 2:1a; 1 John 4:1; Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10)

o   false witness/es (Matt. 15:19; 19:18; 26:59-60; Mark 10:19; 14:56-57; Luke 18:20; Acts 6:13; Rom. 13:9; 1 Cor. 15:15)

o   false apostles (2 Cor. 11:13)

o   false brethren (2 Cor. 11:26; Gal. 2:4)

o   false doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3, 10; 6:3)

o   false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1b)

That being said, ascribing the label “false teacher” is a very serious charge and not something to hurl at others impulsively, hastily, casually, carelessly, callously, or indiscriminately. Those in the Bible regarded as “false teachers” are depicted as greedy, perverse, dishonest, deceptive, morally corrupt, lazy gluttons, in opposition to Christ, and serving their own selfish appetites. If someone is accused of being a “false teacher” but does not exhibit these heinous characteristics, the indictment is not scripturally appropriated.

Biblical Descriptions

Issues constituting false teachers in the first-century church involved:

o   deceit, hypocrisy, evil influence, lawlessness (Matt. 7:15-23).

o   erroneous messianic claims (Matt. 24:5, 24).

o   persistently causing divisions and “offenses,” “hindrances,” or “occasions of stumbling” contrary to apostolic teaching (Rom. 16:16-17).

o   perverting the gospel by binding works of the old Jewish law (Gal. 1:7-9; 2:4, 16, 21; 3:2, 5, 10; 6:13).

o   worldly-mindedness, driven by self-gratification and self-exaltation (Phil. 3:17-19).

o   resisting the truth in arrogance with a corrupt mindset accompanied by selfish, unloving, immoral deeds (2 Tim. 3:1-8).

o   rejecting biblical authority (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

o   denying the Lord with greed and deception (2 Pet. 2:1-3; Jude 4, 8).

o   ungodly and immoral living, injustice, self-willed, resisting authority (2 Pet. 2:6-10a; Jude 8-11).

o   ignorant, corrupt, unrighteous, deceptive, lustful, dishonest, forsaking the right way and going astray (2 Pet. 2:12-17).

o   empty words, lewdness, reverting to worldly ways (2 Pet. 2:18-22; Jude 12-14).

o   intentionally twisting or distorting scripture (2 Pet. 3:16).

o   complaining, flattery, mockery, sensuality, causing divisions (Jude 16-19).

o   denying Jesus as the Christ and/or the Son of God (1 John 2:22-23).

o   denying Jesus having come in the flesh (anti-Christ); being of the world rather than of God (1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7).

o   destitute of love (1 John 4:12-16, 20-21; cf. 3:10-23; 2 John 4-6).

o   adding to or subtracting from God’s revealed will (Rev. 22:18-19).

The “false teacher” image from these biblical descriptions is one who disrespects and rejects the authority of scripture, with a hidden agenda, selfish motives, rebellious, deceptive, manipulative, leading gullible people astray. While the label “false teacher” is surely applicable to what is taught, consideration must also be given to how the message is presented with accompanying intent, behavior, and influence.

The Responsibility of the Faithful

As God’s children we are expected to understand, accept, obey, teach, and defend the truth, not only on an individual basis but collectively as a unified body, ever mindful of “one another.”² None of us can read another’s heart or discern another’s motives, but we can and should be observant and conscientious “fruit” inspectors: “... by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt. 7:15-20). Using God’s word as our standard, we are to “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). This necessarily involves evaluating the kind of spiritual “fruit” produced by the lives, example, influence, and teachings of those with whom we may disagree (cf. Matt. 12:33; Luke 7:45; 3 John 11).

Biblical Discernment

Consider the obvious differences between the attitudes and behaviors of men like Diotrephes and Demitrius (3 John 9-12). Jesus boldly confronted hypocrisy and deceit,³ while his approach was quite different toward those whose error was not as willful or defiant.⁴ Paul did not shy away from confronting misbehavior and doctrinal error,⁵ weilding the proverbial “rod” of correction when necessary, but he was also capable of warning and reproving “in love and a spirit of gentleness” (1 Cor. 4:21; cf. 2 Cor. 7:4; 10:1-2).⁶

Apollos had mistaken views about a very important doctrine and was teaching wrongly. But instead of writing him off as a “false teacher,” Aquila and Priscilla graciously and tactfully took him aside and helped him understand the truth more clearly (Acts 18:24-26). As Timothy was commissioned to “Hold fast the pattern of sound words ...” (2 Tim. 1:13a), he was reminded:

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

Speaking the Truth in Love

Brethren in Christ will inevitably disagree about sensitive and controversial matters, but this does not have to disrupt the unity and peace in God’s family (note, e.g., Rom. 14:1–15:13). To be sure, “we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Eph. 4:14-15).

There are times when division is necessary (1 Cor. 11:19), but when possible, unity must be prioritized since it is foundational to the Lord’s cause (John 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10). Admittedly peace and harmony can be fragile and elusive, especially when fallible human beings are trying to achieve and maintain it, so it requires intentionality and concerted effort driven by integrity, humility, patience, and love (Eph. 4:1-4). In fact, love must always be the driving force when addressing divisive issues (1 Cor. 8:1; 13:1-7; 16:14).

Conclusion

Surely it is possible to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3) while also “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). May we be wise, discerning, and diligent in seeking both.

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ Luke 11:34-35; Acts 20:28-31; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 16:13; Gal. 6:1; Phil. 2:4; 3:17-19; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 3:2-6; 16:15.

     ² Rom. 12:5; 15:14; Phil. 2:1-4; Eph. 4:25; Heb. 3:13; 10:24.

     ³ Matt. 5:20; 6:2, 5, 16; 7:15-20; 12:24-45; 15:1-9, 12-13; 16:1-5, 12; 19:3-9; 21:12-13, 23-46; 22:18, 23-29; 23:1-36.

     ⁴ Matt. 19:16-22; Mark 5:19; 12:28-34; Luke 5:31-32; 7:36-50; 10:41-42; 19:1-10; John 3:1-21; 4:7-26; 5:14; 8:10-11.

     ⁵ 1 Cor. 1:10-13; 5:1–6:20; 11:17-34; 2 Cor. 7:8; 10:9-11; 13:10; Gal. 1:6-10; 2:11-14; 3:1-3; 4:9-11, 20; 5:1-4, 15; 2 Thess. 3:6-15.

     ⁶ 1 Cor. 4:14; 8:13; 9:15-27; 10:14-15, 24, 31-33; 11:1-2; 16:14; 2 Cor. 6:11-13; 7:2, 16; Gal. 5:10; 6:1-2; Eph. 1:15-19; 4:1-6; 6:23-24; Phil. 1:1–4:23; Col. 1:1-12; 1 Thess. 1:1–3:13; 2 Thess. 1:1-5.

*Scripture quotations are from the NKJV.

Related Posts:

o   “What Does ‘Fellowship’ Really Mean?” Moore Perspective (17 Feb. 2013), <Link>.

o   “Church Discipline,” Moore Perspective (29 Nov. 2017), <Link>.

o   “Biblical Reasons for Withdrawing from a Member of the Church,” Moore Perspective (25 April 2018), <Link>.

o   “Intercongregational Responsibilties,” Moore Perspective (16 May 2018), <Link>.

o   “When a Biblical Text is Misapplied: Eph. 5:11,” Moore Perspective (21 Feb. 2018), <Link>.

 

Related articles: Wayne Jackson, “False Teachers”

 

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