False Teachers
The Bible has much to say about false teachers. In order for one to discern a false teacher, he must first know the truth, revealed in the Bible. The Scriptures (66 books = 39 Old Testament + 27 New Testament) are God’s inspired, inerrant, authoritative Word of truth.
The Bible is filled with many teachings on many subjects. Whatever the Bible says about a particular subject is called, “doctrine.” For example, the Bible reveals much about heaven and hell. Each of those subjects represent one doctrine. Even false teachers have their own place in the doctrines of the Bible.
A teacher of the Bible must be tested to ensure he is in alignment with the historic creeds and confessions of the church. There are significant divisions in Christ’s church regarding hermeneutics (Bible interpretation). Thus, there is some variation to creeds and confessions, too.
Throughout church history, doctrinal disputes have caused numerous schisms. Confessed allegiances have been required for clergy to hold certain positions. Doctrinal perfection is elusive, but men of God, who have grown in theological understanding are often forced to switch denominations. This is highly destructive to one’s career as a pastor, which is why most will tow the party line, despite believing something more credible. After all, we are growing in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). Maturation should be expected, but it is rarely welcomed by the denominational party members (How could our denomination possibly be wrong?).
There is an entirely different category of Christian minister. Following in the footsteps of the false shepherds of Israel (Ezek 34), false teachers in the church have their roles assigned to them by God. That may seem a bit peculiar, but the Bible teaches us that all things are from God (Rom 11:36). This includes His making the wicked for the day of evil (Prv 16:4).
God is sovereign over all things (Ps 115:3; 135:6). This includes the devil, who is the father of lies and the ruler of this world (Jn 8:44; 12:31; 16:11), a world which is filled with lies. All things were made by God with the express purpose of bringing glory to God. One may wonder how a false teacher promoting the doctrine of demons can glorify God?
False teachers serve the purpose of God, as a foil to the truth and those God has called to be ministers of the truth. Stated another way, false teachers make true teachers look good in the view of those who love the truth and who are hungry for the truth. Christ’s sheep know the truth, and they will not follow the voice of a false shepherd.
In contrast, the wicked in the visible church love false teachers. They love false teaching, and they desire the things the false teacher promotes. In figurative language, the goats love what the wolves have for them. It is difficult to speculate on what extent false teachers occupy the visible church, but it is probably far worse than any of us wish to imagine.
Christian television preachers are a prime example. Somewhere between 90 to 100% of “Christian” preachers on television are false gospel preachers. Granted that is my own survey, but I suspect most saints would agree with me. The goats will obviously object. They love the wolves who take their money and their souls.
God’s permission for the weeds to grow up with the wheat is His prerogative, in His own providential plan. Still, there will be many on the Day of Judgment who say, “Lord, Lord” but Jesus will deny even knowing them (Mt 7:21–23). This is why it is imperative for Christians to make sure of their calling and election (2 Pet 1:10).
Many false spirits occupy the false teachers who mislead many. Even the elect would fall prey without the Holy Spirit’s intervention and prevention. The saint is secure because of the promises of God and His assured preservation of the saints (Jn 10:28–29; Rom 8:35–39; 1 Jn 5:11–13). The indwelling Spirit is the true believer’s Teacher and guide into all truth (Jn 14:17, 26; 16:13).
One may ask whether false teachers are conscious of their position as deceivers. Considering, the false teacher is an unbeliever, whose mind is blinded by the devil (2 Cor 4:4), it is reasonable to conclude that the blind are leading the blind into the pit (Mt 15:14). It is the work of the Christian apologist to expose and rebuke the false teacher and to warn others, for without the illumination granted by the Holy Spirit, the world and the goats will not see the error of their ways.
The conversion of false teachers is a very rare event. We have the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to encourage us that miracle conversions are possible with God. The apostle Paul then went on and called out many deceivers by name. His epistles are in part the result of answering false teachers and their false teaching within the church.
The Spirit-filled Christian loves the teachings, the doctrines of the Bible. He painstakingly works through problem texts, in order to be sure of accurate interpretation. He develops his theological understanding by pressing on in his study of the Bible, as a labor of love. The unbeliever and the false teacher have only miniscule interest in the Bible, only enough to twist the Scripture to suit their façade.
The believer in Jesus should not be overly alarmed by the presence or persuasive powers of the false teacher because God knows how to rescue His own from the deceiver’s deception. The false teacher has his or her place in the church, but also in the judgment.
It is perfectly fitting for the Christian to expose the false teacher by name and to explain the error of the false teacher’s doctrine. In this, we follow the example of the Apostle Paul. Also in doing this, the Christian serves the church and the purposes of God, as does the false teacher.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
April 5, 2021
