FALSE TEACHERS? "In this I rejoice....!!!!"

[kwikphilly]

Blessings Everyone

      May God be with us & keep us,lead us & guide us and may we give Him Glory in all we do,,,,,,& SAY!!!!

      Lately there has been a lot of "talk" about "false teachers",,,,,,,,well,actually there has always been false teachers and there always will be,,,,,,but is the alleged "false teacher" preaching another Gospel or are they just "people" as we are & fall short of the Glory of God,as we all do? 

       I did not start this Thread for the purpose of getting anyone stated on a rant or a tangent,,,,,,,"BUT,,,,this one said this & this one said that" or here's a link to show-blah ,blah,blah,      The purpose of this Thread is to hopefully encourage the finger pointers to understand that when you point a finger there are 3 pointing back at YOU!Okay,the usual rebuttal will be,,,,,"BUT,,,,they are teaching a false doctrine",,,,,,Well,are they now? Let's say what the Apostle Paul says....

Quote

Philippians 1:15-1 (NIV)

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸ But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice........

The most common targets are the televangelist,,,,,,,,am I saying that all the claims about them are false,that they are true? No,not at all,,,,,,what I am saying is that we must be very mindful of what exactly we are doing when we make accusations against anyone,,,,,,,,,,,,We read in blogs & "anti such & such" articles claiming to expose the Truth,we listen to others quote a particular person as saying'this lie & that lie",we hear "excerpts" of a sermon or "see" it televised and clearly it is non-Scriptural but think about it,,,,,,is this what you saw & heard for yourself?

  Do you think when anyone is accused of being a false teacher and the accusers show you the video tape of what they said that perhaps in the next breathe(not recorded of course) they may have said,,,"oops ,that came out wrong,,,,,let me correct what I said...."     I just cannot judge or make any kind of determination of my own without having listened(in person) to EVERYTHING that person says,,,,,,,,,,,it then becomes hearsay,rumor,tale bearing & gossip,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Do I KNOW this person? Have I HEARD everything they say? Was I there?,,,,,No,well then"sahut my mouth!"

  Please understand,I am not talking about the ones that come on TV,try to sell you some prayer cloth or article that will bring you a million dollars if you purchase it from them & that you must do"this & that" for iT to work,,,,,,,,completely leaving Jesus out of every sentence and NO GOSPEL is ever preached,,,,,,,,that is not even a teacher,they are salesmen "peddling Scripture" for profit,,,,,,,,that is NOT the Topic of the Thread

   The Topic is about US,Brothers & Sisters of the Same Body and of the Brother or Sister who stands accused,,,,,,,I listen to TBN(Trinity Broadcast Network),,,,I see Joseph Prince,Andrew Wommack,Joyce Meyer,Steven Furtick,Dr Jeremiah,Arthur Blessed,Max Lucado,Joel Osteen,Creflo Dollar,T.D.Jakes just to name a few,,,,,,,,,,,,,,do I agree with every Word they say in their commentaries or interpretations,,,,,no,not always,,,,,,,,,do I hear the Gospel,is Jesus being preached,yes,,,yes He is! Are people being shown to the Way of the Cross,are they pointing to Jesus,,,yes,yes they are!   So what is so awful? Have I heard every single thing they say,no I have not but what I do hear sounds like a message of Salvation through Faith in our Lord & Savior which brings us to the Grace of God!!!!!

    Please,I'm asking all of you,,,,,,,do your best not to turn this Thread into a name calling Thread,we are not the judges nor jury,,,,,,,,we are all responsible to look to Gods Word to see if what we hear is the Gospel,Gods Truth an d so is every person wcho receives the message,,,,,,the teachers will have to give an account for every idle word they have spoken,,,,,,,,the point is,let God be the Judge & Rejoice,for Christ is being preached,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,this Topic is about US,not them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,let us be mindful,kind,loving,merciful,compassionate & forgiving,,,,remembering always,if we have not heard the whole story,,,,zip it! My dad used to say,believe none of what you hear & half of what you see(in reference to gossip & rumor)                His side,Her side & the TRUTH                  Praise Jesus          With love-in Christ,Kwik

[Snow]

Amen

 

[WilliamL]

1 Cor. 11:18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.

There will always be disputes about points of doctrine. These should be worked out by study and open debate in the Church. Not all such disputes need to be resolved in order for people to stay in fellowship, far from it.

However, there will also always be big-talkers who will seek to gain followers by appointing themselves as authorities-not-to-be-questioned, and these are the ones to watch out for and steer clear of -- both the teachers themselves, and those who slavishly follow them:

1 Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

[kwikphilly]

algots

Paul's "letters"were for the Body of Christ,,,,,,,I wonder if Paul had a computer if he would post these things on a public Forum?And yes he most certainly did go directly to Peter,as it should be,,,,,,,one to the other,,,,,,,

,,,Neither did I use Paul's passage as a cover all or say what I have as a "free pass" to cover all ,,,,,,,I thought I was very clear that my intention for this Thread was for the readers accountability for their own words,not about the "teachers",,,,so,I don't think you have any idea what I have purposed,,,,,,

  Once again,,,,,,,,as I expected,,,,,there is no need for anyone to defend why this or why that but to put behind any spirit of pride & say"Hmmm,perhaps I do listen to what everyone in "internet land" says,,,,,,,maybe they didn't say what the media says.........I should not be a tale bearer etc,,,,,,if I have not HEARD with my own ears,,,,,,that's all,,,,     So please,if you cacn help yourself not to turcn this Thread into a debate because there is nothing to debate,,,,,,,,

Quote

Exodus 23:1

"You shall not bear a false report; do not join your hand with a wicked man to be a malicious witness

Luke 6:7

The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him

1 Peter 3:16

 

and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

James 3:2 - If we can control our speech, we can control all areas of our lives.

Titus 3:1,2 - Christians are told to "speak evil of no one."

1 Peter 2:1 - "Lay aside ... all evil speaking."

I could post so many verses about bridling the tongue,not partaking in gossip etc,,,,, we should know what Gods word says about the "tongue",,,,,,,,,,,,,

 I often wonder what the unbeliever thinks about Christians when they are arguing with "each other" to re-hash some slanderous report about another (supposed) Christian Brother(teacher) it must sound awful,confusing and hypocritical to them,,,,,,,,,,,the type of letters Paul wrote to expose anyone was within the Body,as we must keep it,,,,,imo     People seem to regard Worthy as a blog or a private social media networking site & it is not,it a public podium and we are on display for the world to see,,,,,,

  Well,if I have not made myself clear by now then that is very sad,,,,because we all need to strive to be the very best we can be for the representation of  Jesus Christ ,,,,,,,our Lord & Savior,,,,,,,                                                                             Kwik

[RustyAngeL]

As usual Kwik you hit the nail on the head.  There is only one truth and that is Jesus and being ready to used by Him for whatever He wants.   Thank you for speaking the truth and making it very simple. 

Blessings my Sister In Christ. 

RustyAngeL

[angels4u]

There are far too many false teachers these days and we have to be discerned for the times we live in~~

2 Tim 4:3

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

I believe these days are here, false teachers should be exposed,as they lead many astray~~

If their teaching does not line up with the Bible I believe we have the duty to warn other Christian, this should  be done in love~~

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. col.3:16

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. Matt.7:151

 

13Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done in love.… 1Cor 16:13

 

[angels4u]

Traits of false teachers:

“There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” (2 Peter 2:1)

There are no “ifs, ands, or buts” in Peter's words. It's a clear and definite statement. There were false prophets among the people (of Israel in the Old Testament). That's a matter of history. False prophets were a constant problem in the Old Testament, and those who falsely claimed to be prophets of God were to be stoned. The people rarely had the will to deal with them, so they multiplied, causing disaster to the spiritual life of God's people.

 

In the same way Peter says, “There will be false teachers among you.” Notice the words “among you.” Peter is writing to the church and says, “There will be false prophets among you.” So he is not talking about New Age people on television. He is talking about people in the local church, members of a local congregation.

There is no such thing as a pure church this side of heaven. You will never find it. The wheat and the tares grow together. Warren Wiersbe writes:

Satan is the counterfeiter. . . . He has a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9), preached by false ministers (2 Corinthians 11:13-12), producing false Christians (2 Corinthians 11:26). . . . Satan plants his counterfeits wherever God plants true believers (Matthew 13:38).

Authentic or Counterfeit?

How would you recognize counterfeit Christianity?

In 2 Peter 1 we read about genuine believers. And in 2 Peter 2 we read about counterfeit believers. If you put these chapters side by side you will see the difference between authentic and counterfeit believers.

1. Different Source—Where does the message come from?

Peter says, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:16). And then he says the false teachers exploit you “with stories they have made up” (2:3). So the true teacher sources what he says from the Bible. The false teacher relies on his own creativity. He makes up his own message.

2. Different Message—What is the substance of the message?

For the true teacher, Jesus Christ is central. “We have everything we need for life and godliness in Him” (1:3). For the false teacher, Jesus is at the margins: “They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them” (2:1).

Notice the word secretly. It's rare for someone in church to openly deny Jesus. Movement away from the centrality of Christ is subtle. The false teacher will speak about how other people can help change your life, but if you listen carefully to what he is saying, you will see that Jesus Christ is not essential to his message.

3. Different Position—In what position will the message leave you?

The true Christian “escapes the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (1:4). Listen to how Peter describes the counterfeit Christian: “They promise . . . freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity, for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” (2:19). The true believer is escaping corruption, while the counterfeit believer is mastered by it.

4. Different Character—What kind of people does the message produce?

The true believer pursues goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brother kindness, and love (1:5). The counterfeit Christian is marked by arrogance and slander (2:10). They are “experts in greed” and “their eyes are full of adultery” (2:14). They also “despise authority” (2:10). This is a general characteristic of a counterfeit believer.

5. Different Appeal—Why should you listen to the message?

The true teacher appeals to Scripture. “We have the word of the prophets made more certain and you will do well to pay attention to it” (1:19). God has spoken, and the true teacher appeals to his Word. The false teacher makes a rather different appeal: “By appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error” (2:18). So the true teacher asks, “What has God said in his Word?” The false teacher asks, “What do people want to hear? What will appeal to their flesh?”

6. Different Fruit—What result does the message have in people's lives?

The true believer is effective and productive in his or her knowledge of Jesus Christ (1:8). The counterfeit is “like a spring without water” (2:17). This is an extraordinary picture! They promise much but produce little.

7. Different End—Where does the message ultimately lead you?

Here we find the most disturbing contrast of all. The true believer will receive “a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:11). The false believer will experience “swift destruction” (2:1). “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them and their destruction has not been sleeping” (2:3).

Jesus tells us that there will be many who have been involved in ministry in his name, to whom he will say, “Depart from me; I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21). Who are these people? Surely Peter is describing them in this passage.

Don't Be Naïve

We must not be ignorant: “There will be false teachers among you” (2:1). So how do we apply this warning?

First, Peter's plain statement reminds us that the church needs to be protected. Among the many wonderful people who come to through the doors of the church each year, some would do more harm than good.

They may seem the nicest of people, but they do not believe in the authority of the Bible or the exclusivity of salvation in Christ. We welcome such people, because they need Christ as much as we do, but we must not allow them to have influence in the church.

Second, skeptics will always be able to point to hypocrisy and inconsistency in the church. They've always done it, and they always will. One of the strangest reasons for not following Christ goes like this: “I've seen people in the church who are hypocrites.” So you will not follow Christ because some people who claim to do so are hypocrites?

The existence of the counterfeit is never a good reason for rejecting the genuine. Peter essentially tells us, “Of course there are counterfeit Christians. Of course there are teachers who do the church more harm than good. What else would you expect in this fallen world? Grow up! Don't be naïve! Don't miss what's real simply because you have seen the counterfeit.”

Point to 2 Peter 2:1 the next time you meet someone hiding behind this excuse.

* * * * * * * * * *

(gospelcoalition)

[Esther4:14]

Technically, Paul is referring to a situation where people appear to be trying to further persecute him through false witness, and is not specifically talking about how to address a situation where a false doctrine is being preached.    

"I would ye understood, brethren, that the things which have come unto me, are turned rather to the furthering of the Gospel,

¹³ So that my bands in Christ are famous throughout all the judgment hall, and in all other places.

¹⁴ Insomuch that many of the brethren in the Lord are boldened through my bands, and dare more frankly speak the Word.

¹⁵ Some preach Christ even through envy and strife, and some also of good will.

¹⁶ The one part preacheth Christ of contention, and not purely, supposing to add more affliction to my bands," (Philippians 1:12-16). 

So, basically, Paul is saying that some are bringing grief to him, but that he will bear this because he realizes that his witness is partly responsible for this phenomenon.  Without the fame that he was receiving, the one who are boldened by what they see Paul suffering would not want to speak as boldly.  However, there are still some that want to further his persecutions through false witness.  It is something a wheat and tares illustration.  

So, I don't necessarily agree that this is what the verses are saying because Paul has been able to identify witnesses of Christ who do so out of envy and strife.  He has even pointed them out indirectly.  

However, I can sympathize with what you are saying because in recognizing this false witness, he presses on patiently in his bonds and does not respond in fear or with comments I have heard accusing others of potentially being the sole reason someone else doesn't accept Christ.  I don't believe this will be where the blame is placed when we appear before the judgement seat.  

It would be like saying, "I didn't repent because the people on TBN always asked for money and I thought that meant they were fake."  I just don't believe that will fly with the creator of the universe because a core point of salvation is our agreement to accept Christ's death on the cross for our sins."  

If a person truly recognizes their need of salvation, they will keep searching no matter where they may stop along the way.  No matter if they listened to a false witness for a time.  Nothing will stop the person who truly needs Christ.  

So, I believe that is his message here, that we do not need to respond in fear when we see someone preaching out of envy or strife, even when this places bonds on the body of Christ of Christ as a whole through their false witness.  We should be able to bear them the same way he did, and be encouraged that this is evidence that the message of the kingdom is nevertheless, increasing.  

 

[kwikphilly]

Excellent post Angels

      Excellent points,,,,,AND you didn't have to slander anyone to make them!!!!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!

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If their teaching does not line up with the Bible I believe we have the duty to warn other Christian, this should  be done in love~~

EXACTLY my intent & purpose,,,,,,,LOVE,,,,,,,,,,

 You see,the problem I see is right here & all over the internet,,,,,,people naming names that may or may not even be accurate & true,,,,,,,,,,,,

     Within the fold,which covers many many "churches" or houses of Praise & Worship,whichever you prefer to call them,,,,,,,,these things should be discussed because it should not be continued(a False Gospel,another Jesus etc,,, all the points you showed) if it is so,,,,,,,,,,,,,we cannot just decide that someone is a "false prophet" & run with it & use careless & unkind words ,what if it isn't so?

   Of course the best thing is always "face to face" but it this world of "social media" we have a big problem & we must always consider greatly that "the World is watching US,,,,you,me & everyone here"..........we do have password protected forums where it is probably a much better place for discussing others,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,don't you think so?       Love you Sis,Kwik

[Ezra]

I see the tags of judgmentalism, gossip, hearsay, talebearers, and rumor associated with the title of this thread.  All of these practices are unacceptable for Christians and for Christ.  

At the same time, when men or women publicly present ideas, concepts, or doctrines which blatantly contradict Scripture, or undermine the Gospel and Bible truth, their false teachings must be exposed.

There are many Christians who are mere babes in Christ, and others who have not really studied the Word of God.  They can easily be led astray by wolves in sheep's clothing. So for those who know better, it is a moral and spiritual obligation to quote the exact words used by the false teacher, and expose the lie with Scripture. When the precise words are quoted, it is no longer rumor or gossip, but documentary evidence. We need to consider what Paul has said in Galatians 1:6-9:

THERE ARE “OTHER” GOSPELS OUT THERE  6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

THEY ARE PERVERSION OF THE TRUE GOSPEL, AND MEANT TO TROUBLE CHRISTIANS  7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

NOT EVEN AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN HAS AUTHORITY TO PERVERT THE GOSPEL  8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

GOD’S CURSE COMES UPON THOSE WHO PERVERT HIS TRUTH  9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.