If Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), how can we be sure we're not following someone who appears “biblical” but is actually a false teacher?

[bdavidc]

Can Someone Sound Biblical and Still Be a False Teacher?

2 Corinthians 11:14 warns us that “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” That means not everything that looks good, sounds spiritual, or uses Bible verses is truly from God. Some of the most dangerous deceptions come from people who seem sincere, quote Scripture, and even talk about Jesus—yet lead people away from the truth.

So here’s the question I want to open up for discussion:

If Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, how can we be sure we're not following someone who appears “biblical” but is actually a false teacher?

What do you personally look for when testing a teacher? How do you compare their words to Scripture? Are there red flags that immediately make you cautious?

Let’s use the Bible and discernment to sharpen each other on this important topic.

[Orion]

There are preachers and teachers that preach and teach that you are not bound by any moral standard, so you can go on sinning with impunity after you've been saved.  This is called antinomianism, and it is heresy.  

[1to3]

50 minutes ago, bdavidc said:

Can Someone Sound Biblical and Still Be a False Teacher?

yes

Beware of deception.

 Seriously question the motives behind anyone claiming to be filled by  The Holy Spirit of God and a bible believing christian, promoting that its all ok to go and attend or endorse others that all is ok, to attend religious places of worship that worship a different "jesus" than the Christ Jesus of the Holy Bible.

People really need to question everything for themselves,research for themselves and line it up with Gods Word in the Holy Bible.

If it does not align with Gods Word, than deception is involved.

     If esotheric worship is involved,  than deception is involved.

There are a lot of wolves in sheeps clothing everywhere, roaming around to see who they can steal, kill and destroy.

Matthew 18:6 Christ Jesus said:

6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

 

Here you can find by the title found from BitChute, the choir and all singing along at the Vatican to full adoration to Lucifer.

Lucifer Worship in the Vatican

[other one]

2 hours ago, bdavidc said:

Can Someone Sound Biblical and Still Be a False Teacher?

Yes, and the only way you can tell is to have a very good understanding of all the things in the Bible.

If you have believed and confessed Jesus as Lord and have been sent the Holy Spirit, things will show red flags.   But I would say it is really important to really know the Bible (the whole Bible).  If you don't and take other's word for it, you don't know if their teaching is true.

[enoob57]

one of the most obvious things is the leading to place things of this world and self before God in consideration... Satan has control of this world for he is said to be:
Ephesians 2:2 (KJV)

[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

and God has revealed His Heart in this matter:
1 John 2:15 (KJV)

[15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

[17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

John 17:16 (KJV)

[16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

[18] As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

[19] And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

[20] Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

[timf]

Consider how Jesus dealt with deception.

Luk 4:3  And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
Luk 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Being immersed in the bible (which is truth) is a key step.

Exercising discernment (recognizing truth) is another step.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Having wisdom is essential;

Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Being mature gives protection;

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

The key to maturity is completing the transition from walking in the flesh to walking by the Spirit;

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

The key to walking by the Spirit is selflessness;

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

 

[AnOrangeCat]

17 hours ago, other one said:

Yes, and the only way you can tell is to have a very good understanding of all the things in the Bible.

I agree with this. We have a few lines of defense, and understanding of the Bible is one of them, as are the Holy Spirit and whatever measure of discernment God has gifted us with. This is also why we're told to assemble together. A majority can certainly be mistaken, but when we're still feeling doubt after our other lines of defense are taken into account a general consensus from other mature, spiritually grounded believers can generally help point us in the right direction.

[missmuffet]

21 hours ago, bdavidc said:

Can Someone Sound Biblical and Still Be a False Teacher?

2 Corinthians 11:14 warns us that “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” That means not everything that looks good, sounds spiritual, or uses Bible verses is truly from God. Some of the most dangerous deceptions come from people who seem sincere, quote Scripture, and even talk about Jesus—yet lead people away from the truth.

So here’s the question I want to open up for discussion:

If Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, how can we be sure we're not following someone who appears “biblical” but is actually a false teacher?

What do you personally look for when testing a teacher? How do you compare their words to Scripture? Are there red flags that immediately make you cautious?

Let’s use the Bible and discernment to sharpen each other on this important topic.

By knowing the Bible very,very well and knowing what teachings are true and what teachings are false. By having

excellent Christian discernment.

[unworthyservant]

I believe that most of the preachers and teachers today are teaching false doctrine. There's way too many to list here. What I always do is research what they say to find out 1 thing and 1 thing only to determine if they are teaching God's word. First I compare what they say to the commandments of God and the teachings of Christ. If their teaching is not found there, then I research and find out where the teaching originated. Any teaching that is not found in the commandments of God or the teachings of Christ comes from a single source, man. Man may be motivated by a number of factors to teach something that is not of God but in the end it is undoubtedly Satan who puts these things in peoples minds in order to lead as many astray as possible. When the false teachings come from someone who can sound Biblical it is easier to fool someone who doesn't know the commandments of God and the teachings of Christ and takes the Biblical sounding person at their word. It's a shame, but even in the "church" you can't trust in what you are being told as the "Gospel Truth". That's why Paul admonished us, in 2 Timopthy 2:15-16 (KJV) "15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." Hope that helps. 

[Michael37]

1 hour ago, unworthyservant said:

I believe that most of the preachers and teachers today are teaching false doctrine.

Is there a doctrine in particular that you consider false?