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?

[1to3]

how can we be sure we're not following someone who appears “biblical” but is actually a false teacher?

BY DEVELOPING, YOUR OWN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP DAILY WITH GOD and aligning what you say and do and what others say and do TO YOU with His Word

When action, motion of speech =WHAT THEY SAY, not only in public, but also in private, do not align with GODs WORD SOMETHING IS AMISS

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[unworthyservant]

1 hour ago, Michael37 said:

Is there a doctrine in particular that you consider false?

I didn't have any particular doctrine in mind when I wrote the post and there are way too many to list here. I believe that any doctrine of any church that is not consistent with the commandments of God and/or the teachings of Christ is "false doctrine". False doctrine is the teachings of men and men have had over 2000 years to compile them. They are way too numerous to list here. If you have a particular doctrine or list of doctrines that you are curious about, I'll gladly comment on them individually based on the above mentioned criteria.

Edited April 23 by unworthyservant

[Michael37]

3 hours ago, unworthyservant said:

I didn't have any particular doctrine in mind when I wrote the post and there are way too many to list here. I believe that any doctrine of any church that is not consistent with the commandments of God and/or the teachings of Christ is "false doctrine". False doctrine is the teachings of men and men have had over 2000 years to compile them. They are way too numerous to list here. If you have a particular doctrine or list of doctrines that you are curious about, I'll gladly comment on them individually based on the above mentioned criteria.

If you can pick one doctrine you consider false, that would satisfy my curiosity about your need to generalise rather than specify.

[Bachris]

People are following one person in particular right now who appears to them as being sound by saying the right things but they are being deceived. Strong spiritual discernment is greatly lacking.

[bdavidc]

10 hours ago, Michael37 said:

If you can pick one doctrine you consider false, that would satisfy my curiosity about your need to generalise rather than specify.

You've asked again for a specific doctrine even after they already explained the standard they use to identify false doctrine, anything that contradicts the commandments of God or the teachings of Christ is false, according to Scripture. When someone keeps repeating the same question after a clear answer has been given, it starts to look less like a sincere search for truth and more like an attempt to argue or stir up controversy. The Bible warns against this kind of behavior: “Avoid foolish controversies... for they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9). Paul also told Timothy to “have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23).

If you're genuinely seeking the truth, the right response is to test everything by Scripture, like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. But if you're simply trying to trap someone in debate, that's the same approach the Pharisees used with Jesus, they weren't looking for truth, they were looking for an argument (Luke 11:53–54). Jesus warned us not to waste time on that kind of thing: “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs...” (Matthew 7:6).

[bdavidc]

On 4/22/2025 at 4:06 PM, bdavidc said:

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?

The Bible directly answers this concern. In 2 Corinthians 11:13–15, it says, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” This shows that appearances and smooth words mean nothing if they contradict the truth of God’s Word. Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:15–20 to “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves,” and said we would recognize them by their fruits—not just by their words, but by the result of their teaching and their lives.

To avoid deception, we are told to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and to be like the Bereans, who “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Any teacher who leads people away from the commands of God or the gospel of Jesus Christ is not from God, no matter how sincere or convincing they sound. Galatians 1:8 is clear: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” So we must constantly test all teachings against Scripture, because that is the only standard of truth God has given us.

[unworthyservant]

12 hours ago, Michael37 said:

If you can pick one doctrine you consider false, that would satisfy my curiosity about your need to generalise rather than specify.

The prosperity Gospel!

[bdavidc]

35 minutes ago, unworthyservant said:

The prosperity Gospel!

Yes, no doubt the prosperity gospel is false teaching because it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible does not promise material wealth, health, or worldly success to those who follow Christ. In fact, Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The apostle Paul wrote, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12), not rewarded with riches. Paul also warned against those who see godliness as a means of gain, saying, “But godliness with contentment is great gain... But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:6,9). Jesus Himself taught, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19–20). Nowhere does Scripture teach that faith guarantees prosperity. Instead, it calls believers to endure suffering, walk in humility, and trust God regardless of circumstances. The prosperity gospel twists the Word of God to appeal to worldly desires and is therefore false.

[enoob57]

As I said before what leads you to the world and the love of it is not from God
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.

[Edward429451]

18 hours ago, 1to3 said:

how can we be sure we're not following someone who appears “biblical” but is actually a false teacher?

BY DEVELOPING, YOUR OWN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP DAILY WITH GOD and aligning what you say and do and what others say and do TO YOU with His Word

When action, motion of speech =WHAT THEY SAY, not only in public, but also in private, do not align with GODs WORD SOMETHING IS AMISS

---

 

First off, I agree with what you said. But here I am reading, skimming along, toggleing people's info drop down to see who's saying what (I'm new and hardly know anybody here...and yours says...Not Telling! And that strikes me as extremely funny. 

You talk like a man. You don't have confirm anything to me, I can tell! Women don't talk like that.