False Teachers: An Introduction

King Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote many truths; but two stand out for us here. First, there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). Second, it is all vanity and striving after the wind (Eccl 1:2). Therefore, it is imperative for us to seek first the kingdom of God (Mt 6:33), and the King Himself, Jesus Christ (1 Tim 6:15). He alone is our only hope; for He alone is our salvation (Ps 118:14; Is 12:2; 1 Tim 1:1).

The Apostle Peter wrote one of the most damning chapters of the entire Bible when he penned the second chapter of his second epistle. He wrote to those who had received the same faith as the others who had received the Spirit of Christ like himself.

As a slave of Christ and Apostle of Jesus Christ, Peter warned his readers about the false teachers among them, who resembled the false prophets of Israel suffered throughout history. In a world of lies, it should be expected that those outside the church will not be teaching the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph 4:21). It should also be expected that many, if not a great majority of preachers and teachers inside the church, are false messengers of a false message. It is often said that we must all be as the Bereans and search the Scriptures to see if a teaching is false or not.

We note the similarities between the epistle of Jude and the second chapter of second Peter. In Jude, the false teachers were overt; but in 2 Peter 2, we learn that these intruders were more secretive in their work to introduce destructive heresies into Christ’s church (2 Peter 2:1).

We must emphasize these people are inside the church. They rise to positions of power and authority. They have great influence over the congregation. Church history is riddled with these subtle destroyers of orthodoxy and orthopraxy.

Orthodoxy is sound doctrine. Orthopraxy is sound practice, right living. False teachers may begin their diabolical work from either platform. They may begin by planting seeds of heresy; or they may rationalize their worldly behaviors to the congregation. Either way, you will know them by their fruit.

The fruit of false teachers centers on money, sex, and power. The way to detect the false teacher is to scrutinize his life and his message. The two can hardly be separated. The false teacher in Christ’s church wants more money, more power, and more sex. He is greedy in every respect.

In order to gain followers, the false teacher will dismiss sin (Rom 3:23), death (Rom 6:23), judgment (Heb 9:27), and eternal punishment in the fiery hell of the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). He will also dismiss the doctrine of Christ. In other words, the false teacher will dilute the Gospel; or he will distort it; or he will dismiss it altogether.

The Apostle Peter warned that many will follow the false teacher’s sensuality (2 Pet 2:2). This again pertains to both teaching and practice. The people in the pews will take their cue from the person in the pulpit. The Bible warns us that people are sheep. They are easy prey for the wolf in sheep’s clothing. The devil sends the wolf into the church to steal, kill, and destroy. It is the devil’s work to destroy the work of God; and what is the work of God? Jesus said, “I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Mt 16:18).”

Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem His people, those whom the Father gave Him before the foundation of the world (Jn 17:2, 6, 24); and He finished the work with perfect precision (Jn 19:30). In sending the Holy Spirit, the work of gathering the saints is in effect (Jn 14:26; 15:26). This is the program, today. The means by which God accomplishes this current mission of reconnaissance is the preaching and teaching of the Bible, God’s Holy Word of truth (1 Cor 1:18, 23; 2:2, 4).

Whereas the true preacher is called of God to be a man of God, the false preacher is not. Whereas the called preacher proclaims Christ and Him crucified from the revelation of holy writ, the false teacher always has something else to declare: philosophy; psychology; comedy; economics; or politics.

Examine the preaching you were subject to this past Sunday morning. Did the preacher tell you that you were a sinner; and that sinners are judged by God, who is not idle or sleeping in these matters (2 Pet 2:3)? Did the preacher declare the one and only solution to your plight of sin, that being God’s only begotten Son? Did the preacher present to you the real Jesus, as revealed from the Word of truth by the Spirit of truth?

My dear reader, the false words of the false teachers are clever and very agreeable to your sinful flesh and human pride. He is all about the love of God and nothing else. He is blind and will lead you into the pit of destruction (Mt 15:14). In contrast, the one who truly loves you will tell you the truth.

2 Peter 2 is a delight to those who love the truth. It holds a terrifying reality, however, for both the false teacher and the reprobate sinner. I am not writing from a position to judge you; because God’s Word already does that with accuracy. If you have been subject to false teaching, you will only know it if you have read and understood the Holy Bible. You may read it and weep; but if you do not read it, God’s warning remains of weeping and gnashing of teeth, forever, under the righteous wrath of God. The false teacher will never tell you that!

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

November 4, 2024

2 Peter 2:1–3