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?

[JohnD]

On 4/22/2025 at 3:06 PM, 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.

Human beings are evil by nature (Isaiah 64:6) and are not only easily swayed by falsehoods, but tend to prefer them in opposition to God and his truth / facts (Matthew 16:23). 

We are such poor judges of good and truth that we must test the spirits to be certain we are being influenced by the Holy Spirit or not (1 John 4:1).

God gave us his Word the Bible in part to be the rule of measure to accomplish this (Acts 17:11, Proverbs 25:2, Deuteronomy 29:29, Psalm 119, Psalm 138:2).

This is also why Jesus warned that the traditions of man (based in the interpretations of man, no matter how organized and established) actually nullify the Word of God (Mark 7:13) and make even the worship of him completely void (Mark 7:7).

It is possible to belong to orthodox denominations established for 15 centuries only to find on the day of judgement:

Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

This is about the specificity of the Word of God about Christ our LORD and Savior. That man-made, made-up christs or doctrines or dogma will carry no weight in God's judgment on that day. If you have climbed the wrong stairway to heaven, you will end up in hell because man was born destined for hell and salvation was always a rescue mission (John 3:16-18).

People don't want to hear these facts. They want to all get along. We can agree to disagree agreeably hand in hand stumbling blindly down the path to eternal doom. All the while believing Jesus is cheering us on. But because human beings are so easily influenced and swayed by satan, there is only one way to get to the absolute Truth and that is through the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13) using the keys to the kingdom (which we should know first of all):

2 Peter 1:20-21 (ONLY the Holy Spirit who wrote the Bible through the writing prophets interprets the Word of God)

1 John 4:1 (test the spirits to be certain we are receiving the interpretation of the Holy Spirit, because we are so gullible)

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (we should be testing all things anyway)

Acts 17:11 / Psalm 119 (the Bible itself is the truth standard)

Proverbs 25: 2 / Deuteronomy 29:29 (then the absolute meaning of scripture with be conveyed)

Isaiah 28:9-13 (in this manner)

Then the apparent contradictions will all fade as the absolute answers are given. The controversies and conflicts over eschatology will vanish as the tampering of human interference is exposed. What the Holy Spirit will show you will blow your minds. 

Commentaries, denominations, dogmas, all will burn on the purging truth that the Spirit of Truth conveys (John 16:13) establishing the unity in the Body Christian that the LORD Jesus prayed for in the actual LORD's prayer (John 17) no less than three times. That we be one as the Father and he are one... until then... only delusion and deception and pride in believing they are among the 1.2 billion others... 

Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV)
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

This isn't about prideful exclusivity but about abject submission to the Truth. God offers salvation to the whole world (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:2) but sadly only a few percentage-wise find it / believe it / are not duped by satan by counterfeits.   

  

[Alive]

Being a son of God is not all that complicated. He is the Good and great Shepherd and takes care of His sheep. Don’t be afraid. Trust Him.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.”

(Psalm 121:1-8 NKJV)

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

(Romans 8:28 NKJV)

[enoob57]

As I agree with the fact of Scripture being complete lacking nothing it does not say the same of me in this present place ... in fact only the humble in heart can grow within the knowledge of Scripture! The Bible warns us of a weakness within all who possess knowledge

1 Corinthians 8:1 (KJV)

[1] Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

this fact alone is tue for all who has knowledge... but the Scripture has made a way of escape for us

1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)

[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

When one grows in the perfect wisdom of God you let go of that which God plans on not keeping -as to make it valueless to one's own heart and cling to the promises of what God is keeping ... Oh! by the way we can't even know what that is in this present place

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

It is humbling how perfect God's Word is! As he told us (above) about knowledge and that it puffeth up... so how do you fix this situation you tell them that the entirety of what they contain as to any of all first creation will be removed and all things will be made new 

Isaiah 65:17 (KJV)

[17] For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

knowing God has already shown it to us by our brother John

Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

[5] And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

So, when God shows us our vulnerabilities know He has already put in place the solution to fix them...

[Alive]

1 minute ago, enoob57 said:

As I agree with the fact of Scripture being complete lacking nothing it does not say the same of me in this present place ... in fact only the humble in heart can grow within the knowledge of Scripture! The Bible warns us of a weakness within all who possess knowledge

1 Corinthians 8:1 (KJV)

[1] Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

this fact alone is tue for all who has knowledge... but the Scripture has made a way of escape for us

 

1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)

[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

When one grows in the perfect wisdom of God you let go of that which God plans on not keeping -as to make it valueless to one's own heart and cling to the promises of what God is keeping ... Oh! by the way we can't even know what that is in this present place

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

It is humbling how perfect God's Word is! As he told us (above) about knowledge and that it puffeth up... so how do you fix this situation you tell them that the entirety of what they contain to any of all first creation contains will be removed and all things will be made new 

Isaiah 65:17 (KJV)

[17] For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

knowing God has already shown it to us by our brother John

Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

[5] And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

So, when God shows us our vulnerabilities know He has already put in place the solution to fix them...

 

 

 

 

This the proper and healthy attitude for all of us, but it doesn’t happen over night. It can come with some difficulty for the clever ones.

[enoob57]

@Alive We must pray for one another that we become as these

Matthew 19:14 (KJV)

[14] But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

[15] And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

 

[Alive]

I have several things running through my head this morning and thinking of starting a thread while expounding some thoughts.

Perhaps the most profitable lesson the Lord taught me over the years, was that of Jacob’s life and how and why his name was changed.

Jacob was a very clever person and manipulated his environment in order to get what he wanted. After many years of this, the Lord dealt him a blow and from that day forward he walked with a limp. His natural strength was diminished and he learned its better to trust the Lord…he became Israel. A very different man. And he came to know Peace at last.

[1to3]

I find this posts so timely important to help, to warn.  We seem to be around a lot of great deceptions everywhere.

This war of deception is real. see Ephesians ch6 

 Placing my armour on today with other Christians seeking the Truth through Gods Word, and that His Word be re-measured through His Word and proven True.

Facts change

But Gods Truth remains

Satan has hostages that are our brothers and sisters , some are neighbours, family friends of old, and relatives that are captured. Let our prayers as believers in Christ Jesus and His Word be, That Gods plan of Mercy ad Grace, through His Only begotten Son Christ Jesus be made known to them as well as us, have Mercy on them and us dear Lord and we pray by Your Mercy & Grace, You draw us near to You and out of the deceptions that are trying to lead away, -steal, kill, and destroy, from Your Word and Your Truth.

To God I pray this through His only begotten Son Christ Jesus. Amen! Amen! Amen!

Teachings from men are all subject to Gods fire. the wood, hay and stubble will be sorted out. Their folly will become evident. "Water seeks its own level."

[farouk]

On 5/10/2025 at 7:32 PM, Tristen said:

Thank you @enoob57. Your encouragement is appreciated.

We need to encourage one another -  especially with the Scriptures....