3 Characteristics of False Teachers

 

Tomorrow I’ll explain how false teachers help us.

We must be on our guard because false teachers are among us and Scripture gives us insight into their character:

1. False teachers are appealing.

They often have great charm. Just as Satan masquerades as an angel of light, false teachers can be very appealing individuals (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

"They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15

2. They cause divisions (Romans 16:17), but they gain followers.

We shouldn't be surprised that some false teachers have millions of followers. God's truths are not determined by majority opinion.(1) 

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." 1 Timothy 4:1

See also 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 and Galatians 1:6-10.

3. They “secretly introduce” their false teachings (2 Peter 2:1). 

Christians would reject obvious heresies. That's why false teachers slip their heresies in alongside accurate Bible teaching. Satan used Scripture to tempt Jesus. We should expect false teachers to misuse Bible passages. (See 3 of Satan's Tricks.)

Beware, dear Christians. Stand firm on the teachings of Scripture and don't let popularity, power, or personality compromise your faith.
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(1) With 3-4 million members, the Church of the Almighty God (Eastern Lightning) uses the Bible as their text, and their leader claims that she is God incarnate. This cult is very active on social media and many of their posts look Christian, featuring pictures of Christ (Matthew 24:5).

See also 7 Claims of False Teachers and "Christians Cults"

The image in this devotion is a stock photo. It is not a picture of a false teacher. 
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