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?

[farouk]

17 hours ago, bdavidc said:

The Bible commands believers to test every teaching and teacher by the Word of God, not to sit back and assume Jesus will clean up all error without our obedience. Scripture does not tell us to wait for the Holy Spirit to maybe correct false doctrine “in due course”, it tells us to “contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) and to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). The issue is not about minor disagreements but about those who teach error concerning essential doctrines such as who God is, what salvation is, or what the gospel truly means. Paul said even “if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel... let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

You ask about fruit, Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets… Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20). But fruit isn’t just about doing good deeds. Many false teachers appear to be doing good, feeding the hungry or quoting Scripture, yet preach lies that lead people to destruction. Matthew 7:22-23 shows people who did many wonderful works in Jesus’ name, but He says, “I never knew you: depart from me.” Why? Because their teaching and life were lawless and not grounded in truth.

The idea that calling out error is “self-righteous” or “arrogant” directly contradicts the example of Jesus, Paul, John, and the prophets, who regularly confronted false teachers by name and in public. Paul publicly rebuked Peter when he was wrong (Galatians 2:11-14), and he warned the church night and day with tears (Acts 20:29-31) because he knew that grace includes warning, and love includes correction. Real love hates what is evil and clings to what is good (Romans 12:9).

God commands us to expose darkness (Ephesians 5:11), not excuse it. Trusting Jesus to build His Church (Matthew 16:18) does not mean we ignore false doctrine, it means we stand firm on His Word while doing what He told us to do. If someone is preaching error, especially about the nature of God or the gospel, it is not flippant or arrogant to warn others, it is obedience to Scripture.

In this respect, I find John's First Epistle and its themes of light and darkness and fellowship very searching.

[Tristen]

On 4/30/2025 at 11:20 AM, bdavidc said:

The Bible commands believers to test every teaching and teacher by the Word of God, not to sit back and assume Jesus will clean up all error without our obedience. Scripture does not tell us to wait for the Holy Spirit to maybe correct false doctrine “in due course”, it tells us to “contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) and to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). The issue is not about minor disagreements but about those who teach error concerning essential doctrines such as who God is, what salvation is, or what the gospel truly means. Paul said even “if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel... let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

You ask about fruit, Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets… Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20). But fruit isn’t just about doing good deeds. Many false teachers appear to be doing good, feeding the hungry or quoting Scripture, yet preach lies that lead people to destruction. Matthew 7:22-23 shows people who did many wonderful works in Jesus’ name, but He says, “I never knew you: depart from me.” Why? Because their teaching and life were lawless and not grounded in truth.

The idea that calling out error is “self-righteous” or “arrogant” directly contradicts the example of Jesus, Paul, John, and the prophets, who regularly confronted false teachers by name and in public. Paul publicly rebuked Peter when he was wrong (Galatians 2:11-14), and he warned the church night and day with tears (Acts 20:29-31) because he knew that grace includes warning, and love includes correction. Real love hates what is evil and clings to what is good (Romans 12:9).

God commands us to expose darkness (Ephesians 5:11), not excuse it. Trusting Jesus to build His Church (Matthew 16:18) does not mean we ignore false doctrine, it means we stand firm on His Word while doing what He told us to do. If someone is preaching error, especially about the nature of God or the gospel, it is not flippant or arrogant to warn others, it is obedience to Scripture.

Your tendency in this conversation has been to emotively mischaracterize my position – generating a Strawman Argument (logic fallacy) against me.

My primary complaint is with those who consider themselves God’s supremely anointed arbiters of truth – presuming to tell everyone else who they should not listen to – based on the standard of whether-or-not the accused preachers teach something that the accusers disagree with. I consider that inwardly-judgmental focus to be a concerning distraction from the Gospel.

You are also Equivocating (another logic fallacy) between, 1) contesting doctrine (with which I have no issue), and 2) presuming the right to forever publicly disqualify ministers as “false teachers” for daring to disagree with you over a particular doctrine.

In my former posts on this thread, I did not suggest we shy away from confronting “error”. Nor did I claim that we should be unwary of those infiltrating the church with wrong motives

Furthermore, I never claimed we should, “sit back and assume Jesus will clean up all error without our obedience”. That interpretive comment is simply you deciding to read absurd hyperbole into my stated position – so that you can rebut a position I don’t actually hold.

Nowhere, in this conversation, have I postulated that we be inactive against falsehood. You also mischaracterize my position as ‘excusing darkness’ and ignoring “false doctrine”. 

I did not claim anyone was arrogant or self-righteous for simply calling out error (a continuation of your mischaracterizing my position – and thereby rebutting a position that I do not hold).

Nevertheless, it absolutely lacks humility, and the fear of God, to proclaim that someone be forever disqualified as a Christian teacher because they hold (or once held) some doctrine that disagrees with your current understanding. A ministry does not have to be doctrinally perfect for God to be involved.

Perhaps you were the one Christian who, upon conversion, understood all things perfectly – and thereby attained the right to act as a chief overseer of Christian truth. The rest of us required the grace to be wrong about some things – and to, over time, learn humility – such that we could be corrected by the Holy Spirit. That is, to undergo the process of sanctification. I strongly suspect I am still going through that learning process. 

The example mentioned earlier in this thread was the “prosperity” teaching. Whilst I agree that many aspects of this teaching are commonly presented out-of-balance with scripture, the "prosperity" teaching does not meet the standard of “essential doctrines”. Just because we personally have strong feelings about a doctrine does not make that doctrine “essential”. With regards to other contested doctrines, we would have to be specific about which doctrine we are addressing before deciding its importance to Christian theology.

 

[kwikphilly]

On 4/27/2025 at 9:13 PM, Anne2 said:

Who was this speaking to? His disciples especially his Apostles, to those given a ministry and a charge. Or Just anybody going to synagogue or temple to hear the scriptures? With authority comes responsibility, yes?

 

Again to whom is he speaking? To a Church leader, leadership? 

Amen---- again context,context,context

Gee ,if you take all the verses of Scripture that have been quoted in this Thread regarding false teachers out of context you'd want to head off to every church around town on a mission to disrupt every service snd cause a riot,lol

I love what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:18 because it is applicable to the way the Gospel is preached today.....the teachers & preachers in the pulpits are often misinterpreting but still most everyone has access to the Written Word of God so as you have been making an effort to emphasize context and the importance of " who" is being addressed,when the issues were dangerous ,problematic and " why" they are not  always applicable in every situation

As many have already mentioned- to recognize false teaching you must simply Know God's Truth- in Knowing God's Truth you are well equipped to stand against any weapons of warfare

Not everyone has the Gift of Discernment though we can certainly pray Discernment but even that is not your " go to"..... In this day and age we have Bibles,we have Holy Spirit Indwelling  to Counsel us and Reveal to us what we read- no need for a high priest to read to us or approach the Throne of Grace

With love in Christ,Kwik

 

[Anne2]

 

36 minutes ago, kwikphilly said:

no need for a high priest to read to us or approach the Throne of Grace

Well, I will take issue with this only....

Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
 

Heb 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
 

Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
 

Edited May 3 by Anne2

[Anne2]

38 minutes ago, kwikphilly said:

Gee ,if you take all the verses of Scripture that have been quoted in this Thread regarding false teachers out of context you'd want to head off to every church around town on a mission to disrupt every service snd cause a riot,lol

I think one might say to heck with this mess

[kwikphilly]

40 minutes ago, Anne2 said:

I think one might say to heck with this mess

Yes,I think one would❤️

[kwikphilly]

4 hours ago, Tristen said:

Your tendency in this conversation has been to emotively mischaracterize my position – generating a Strawman Argument (logic fallacy) against me.

My primary complaint is with those who consider themselves God’s supremely anointed arbiters of truth – presuming to tell everyone else who they should not listen to – based on the standard of whether-or-not the accused preachers teach something that the accusers disagree with. I consider that inwardly-judgmental focus to be a concerning distraction from the Gospel.

You are also Equivocating (another logic fallacy) between, 1) contesting doctrine (with which I have no issue), and 2) presuming the right to forever publicly disqualify ministers as “false teachers” for daring to disagree with you over a particular doctrine.

In my former posts on this thread, I did not suggest we shy away from confronting “error”. Nor did I claim that we should be unwary of those infiltrating the church with wrong motives

Furthermore, I never claimed we should, “sit back and assume Jesus will clean up all error without our obedience”. That interpretive comment is simply you deciding to read absurd hyperbole into my stated position – so that you can rebut a position I don’t actually hold.

Nowhere, in this conversation, have I postulated that we be inactive against falsehood. You also mischaracterize my position as ‘excusing darkness’ and ignoring “false doctrine”. 

I did not claim anyone was arrogant or self-righteous for simply calling out error (a continuation of your mischaracterizing my position – and thereby rebutting a position that I do not hold).

Nevertheless, it absolutely lacks humility, and the fear of God, to proclaim that someone be forever disqualified as a Christian teacher because they hold (or once held) some doctrine that disagrees with your current understanding. A ministry does not have to be doctrinally perfect for God to be involved.

Perhaps you were the one Christian who, upon conversion, understood all things perfectly – and thereby attained the right to act as a chief overseer of Christian truth. The rest of us required the grace to be wrong about some things – and to, over time, learn humility – such that we could be corrected by the Holy Spirit. That is, to undergo the process of sanctification. I strongly suspect I am still going through that learning process. 

The example mentioned earlier in this thread was the “prosperity” teaching. Whilst I agree that many aspects of this teaching are commonly presented out-of-balance with scripture, the "prosperity" teaching does not meet the standard of “essential doctrines”. Just because we personally have strong feelings about a doctrine does not make that doctrine “essential”. With regards to other contested doctrines, we would have to be specific about which doctrine we are addressing before deciding its importance to Christian theology.

 

Blessings @Tristen

I've read your posts here and understood what you have said,I do agree

On this " false teacher" subject we often see what is at the very least,a poor representation of an Ambassador for Christ Jesus,imo. It's counter productive to display judgement,condemnation and self righteousness instead of love, humility ,patience and understanding

Over the years I've seen many a televangelist who have evolved into a Christian Minister well equipped to serve according to the Purpose of their Calling, teaching sound Doctrine & admitting they themselves have learned they didn't have it all " right" when they started out .... I thank God they didn't give up or were disuaded by the awful public accusations made against them but instead persevered and remained in running the Good Race in the pursuit of Seeking God's Wisdom in Spirit and in Truth- humbly Leading by example

Anyway,appreciate your comments

It always rubs me the wrong way to see people make " false accusations" against a man or woman of God simply because they disagree with certain aspects of well,er... Non Salvational issues that do not meet their own personal standards ....There's not much difference to me in making false accusations against a Brother as there  is in preaching a false doctrine,each are held accountable,isn't that so? The preacher is held even more responsible.We should be careful not to slander or defame a person

In His Love,Kwik

[enoob57]

Sometimes God answers us in very short and simple ways in considerations…

1 Corinthians 8:2 (KJV)

²And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

[kwikphilly]

2 hours ago, enoob57 said:

Sometimes God answers us in very short and simple ways in considerations…

1 Corinthians 8:2 (KJV)

²And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Blessings Dear Brother

Nailed it- that's all we really should be concerned with.Its best not to get caught up in all the distractions around us because they are the cares of this world that can easily cause one to stumble...it's more about how we ourselves react to the things we see and hear than it is to think so highly of ourselves to be judge,jury and jailer of anyone else- to examine our own motives ,our own agenda ,trying the spirits,listening to the Still Small Voice of God and taking captive our thoughts,subjecting them to the Obedience of Christ Jesus

Seeking God with all of our heart,mind & soul as we pray without ceasing is walking our Faith- from the time we open our eyes in the morning if we Live for Christ we will not be lead into temptation or follow some angel of light but the Light Himself,the Light of the world.

Humility and submission

 

 

[bdavidc]

13 hours ago, Tristen said:

Your tendency in this conversation has been to emotively mischaracterize my position – generating a Strawman Argument (logic fallacy) against me.

My primary complaint is with those who consider themselves God’s supremely anointed arbiters of truth – presuming to tell everyone else who they should not listen to – based on the standard of whether-or-not the accused preachers teach something that the accusers disagree with. I consider that inwardly-judgmental focus to be a concerning distraction from the Gospel.

You are also Equivocating (another logic fallacy) between, 1) contesting doctrine (with which I have no issue), and 2) presuming the right to forever publicly disqualify ministers as “false teachers” for daring to disagree with you over a particular doctrine.

In my former posts on this thread, I did not suggest we shy away from confronting “error”. Nor did I claim that we should be unwary of those infiltrating the church with wrong motives

Furthermore, I never claimed we should, “sit back and assume Jesus will clean up all error without our obedience”. That interpretive comment is simply you deciding to read absurd hyperbole into my stated position – so that you can rebut a position I don’t actually hold.

Nowhere, in this conversation, have I postulated that we be inactive against falsehood. You also mischaracterize my position as ‘excusing darkness’ and ignoring “false doctrine”. 

I did not claim anyone was arrogant or self-righteous for simply calling out error (a continuation of your mischaracterizing my position – and thereby rebutting a position that I do not hold).

Nevertheless, it absolutely lacks humility, and the fear of God, to proclaim that someone be forever disqualified as a Christian teacher because they hold (or once held) some doctrine that disagrees with your current understanding. A ministry does not have to be doctrinally perfect for God to be involved.

Perhaps you were the one Christian who, upon conversion, understood all things perfectly – and thereby attained the right to act as a chief overseer of Christian truth. The rest of us required the grace to be wrong about some things – and to, over time, learn humility – such that we could be corrected by the Holy Spirit. That is, to undergo the process of sanctification. I strongly suspect I am still going through that learning process. 

The example mentioned earlier in this thread was the “prosperity” teaching. Whilst I agree that many aspects of this teaching are commonly presented out-of-balance with scripture, the "prosperity" teaching does not meet the standard of “essential doctrines”. Just because we personally have strong feelings about a doctrine does not make that doctrine “essential”. With regards to other contested doctrines, we would have to be specific about which doctrine we are addressing before deciding its importance to Christian theology.

 

Your response reveals a dangerous misunderstanding of what the Bible actually commands concerning false teachers. You accuse me of arrogance for identifying false teachers based on doctrinal error, yet Scripture gives believers not only the right but the duty to mark and avoid those who teach contrary to sound doctrine. Romans 16:17 says, “Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them.” This is not about personal disagreement, it’s about deviation from God's revealed truth.

You claim it’s “lacking humility” to call someone a false teacher, but what truly lacks the fear of God is tolerating error that He Himself condemns. Titus 1:9-11 instructs elders to “hold fast the faithful word… that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers,” and to silence those who teach what they should not. The Greek word for “must be stopped” (epistomizō) means to silence or muzzle, not to reason endlessly or tolerate. God doesn’t tell us to coddle wolves, He tells us to protect the flock.

Your sarcasm about someone understanding “all things perfectly” is just a distraction. No one claims perfection, but 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells all believers to “test all things.” That includes testing teachers. Galatians 1:8-9 is clear: “Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel… let him be accursed.” The Greek anathema means to be devoted to destruction, not temporarily critiqued, but permanently rejected. That’s not pride. That’s biblical obedience.

You argue that prosperity teaching isn’t an essential doctrine. But if someone distorts the gospel by promoting material gain as godliness, which 1 Timothy 6:5 calls the product of “corrupt minds, destitute of the truth,” that is a gospel issue. Paul said, “from such withdraw thyself.” The Greek word aphistēmi means to depart, not to engage or accommodate.

Stop softening what God has made hard. You are twisting Scripture to fit your standard of civility and inclusion, rather than submitting to God’s clear commands. Revelation 2:20 shows Jesus rebuking the church for tolerating false teaching. He didn’t praise them for being gracious, He condemned them for not taking action.

Let’s be clear: I have not voiced personal opinions in this discussion. Everything I’ve stated is grounded in Sola Scriptura, Scripture alone. If I’ve said anything that isn’t found in God’s Word, then show it to me with chapter and verse. But if I’ve spoken in line with Scripture, then your argument is not with me, it’s with the Bible itself. And for true Christians, there is only one logic that matters: Sola Scriptura. Human reasoning, emotion, and philosophical terms like “strawman” or “equivocation” mean nothing if they stand against what is plainly written in the Word of God.

And let me point out you’re doing the very thing you’ve accused me of. You say I’ve misrepresented your position and acted as if I’m the final authority on truth, yet it’s you who’ve twisted my words, assumed motives, and claimed the right to determine when someone is or isn’t qualified to call out error. That’s the double standard. I’ve quoted Scripture plainly. If you can show where I’ve gone beyond it, I’ll receive correction. But if not, then be honest about who you’re really opposing, because it’s not me. It’s the authority of God’s Word.

People know that whenever the truth of Scripture is brought to light, it will always stir up opposition. That’s exactly what the Bible says will happen. Wolves and false teachers don’t stay quiet when their false views are exposed, they try to silence the truth and discredit those who speak it. Galatians 4:16 says, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Jesus said in John 3:20, “Everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” This reaction is not new, and it’s not unexpected, it’s exactly what happens when God’s Word cuts through deception. If there’s pushback, it’s not because the truth is wrong, but because those holding to error are being confronted with it.