5 Ways To Spot False Teachers
It is said that a ship traveling even one degree off course can end up on a completely different continent. Traveling from San Francisco to L.A. one degree off will cause you to end up six miles off course, and from San Francisco to Washington D.C. would have you end up in Boston. One degree seems so trivial, but stay the course long enough, and you end up on a path to a completely different destination than you may have originally hoped.
One degree shifts are gradual. They’re tiny adjustments, often unnoticed to an untrained eye or a distracted mind.
It’s the same concept spiritually and often happens when we allow false teaching into our minds. False teachers and prophets succeed not because they preach a brand new Gospel - we’d hopefully be smart enough to spot fakes like that - but because they teach 98 percent truth and 2 percent lies.
They make this new spin on the Christian truths we know appealing to us, often wrapped up in freedom and promises of prosperity. It seems like something God would say, so little by little, we buy into it until the things that God doesn’t delight in and the things we once knew are sinful, become “not so bad” or “legalistic.”
Isn’t that how Satan “got” Eve? He offered her fruit that was appealing to her. He made her question what God told her, then fed her lies, promising her so much more if she went his way instead. Thousands of years later, that same model of false teaching continues to work, especially on us women, usually taught by other women.
Women’s ministry is big business today. The talking circuit, conferences, and book sales have become an industry of their own. Because these women say they’re doing it for God’s glory, we accept what they teach as truth.
“They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.” -2 Timothy 3:6-7
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus tells a group of people at the threshold of heaven, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” He isn’t speaking the words to people of the world, but to Christians. They thought they were walking in God’s name, as His children, doing all the things for Him, but they got to their destination, and it turns out they were on the wrong path. Their actual destination wasn’t going to be heaven.
It’s not the world that false teachers are fooling - it’s Christians.
So, how can you know if you’re on the right path? Here are five red flags to help spot false teachers in today’s world:
1. False teachers commend themselves
In his second letter to the Corinthian church, Apostle Paul talks about those false teachers who would commend themselves and their own influence (2 Corinthians 3:1, 4:2, 5:12 and 10:12-16). To commend means to praise formally or officially; to present as suitable for approval or acceptance; recommend. In today’s world, that is often seen as the teachers and speakers who rave about all their famous endorsements, their popularity, and try to sell you on themselves and what they’re offering you. In response, Paul writes:
“But he who glories, let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.” -2 Corinthians 10:17-18
The focus of Paul’s teaching was Christ, not himself. When we witness, we should be pointing people to Christ and what He has done for and in us, not about our own abilities and accomplishments. If you hear someone promoting themselves or their ideas rather than Christ, beware, that's a false teacher.
Today that looks like Christian Instagram influencers who focus on growing their own empires versus building the Kingdom of God. You know them by their reach for more followers, higher sales, and more likes rather than their love and desire to make disciples.
When Jesus told us to go make disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, He wasn’t just talking to the select few influencers and apostles (even though that’s a model we have today). No, Jesus lived out the model He intended for us where He made disciples and then told those disciples to go and make more disciples.
Disciple-making is in the multiplying. It’s not about growing my following, but about teaching and discipling the ones in my sphere, and then those people can do the same thing in theirs. And this continues, with the entire body of Christ using each of their own spiritual gifts for the edification of the church. Each one of us is then actively participating in making known the name of Christ on this earth.
2. They teach a sensual gospel
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them, the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed, they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” -2 Peter 2:1-3
Sex sells today, especially for women. Brands, influencers, and businesses know that a pretty woman - especially a hot one scantily clad - gets attention online and with our wallets. And they’re not just targeting men, but also women with these strategies. Scroll through your Instagram feed and see how many of the women you follow (including Christian ones) use their appearance to get more likes. Most of them probably also look that one specific way or have the same orange filter.
I know because I've fallen into that temptation as social media experts teach you that’s what converts on social media: more of you, more sensual content, more to make them want to be more like you and have what you have.
For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. -Jude 1:4
So, if you see a Christian teacher encouraging you to flaunt your sensuality or if they use sensual tactics on their accounts, unfollow!
3. They disregard the Bible as authority
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. -Galatians 1:8
A lot of teaching today tells us to write-off parts of the Bible because they have the "that was then, this is now" mentality.
Yes, context is important, but remember, the Bible is not just any ordinary book. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” It is the Living Word of God, which means that God can use it as effectively today as He did when it was written.
The Bible teaches us about the character of God, and God does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), so the words He taught also cannot change. “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:24-25).
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. -Romans 16:17
So, if you hear a teacher saying “that was then,” proceed with caution. It is one thing to put a lesson in the context of when and to whom it was written, but another thing entirely to teach others to disregard it because it was written to someone else hundreds of years ago.
Many believers fall for smooth-talking, attractive, and influential Christian teachers and leaders because they sound good and seem to make sense. Don’t believe someone simply because he or she sounds like an authority or says words you like to hear. Search the Bible and compare his or her teachings against God’s Word.
4. Their lives don’t match up with what the Bible teaches
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” -Matthew 7:15-20
False teachers are often influential Christian teachers and leaders. Outwardly, they may seem super-Christian, but the Bible tells us not to take these teachers at face value even if they’re authentic about their struggles. Instead, we need to look at the fruit in their life and see if it aligns with the fruit of the Spirit that should be seen in a true believer's life (Galatians 5:22-23).
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. Their end will correspond to their deeds. -2 Corinthians 11:13-15
No one is perfect! That’s not the expectation here, but if a person takes the stage on Sunday morning to preach a sermon about peace yet spends the rest of his week arguing with others, you should be cautious because those two things don’t mix. If they are one person at church or online, but at home, they are completely different, that’s a red flag.
Pay attention to the fruit. It will tell you everything you need to know.
5. They promote the things of this world and not eternity
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. -Colossians 2:8
A lot of the false teaching we see today comes from Christians who merged with the world, as social norms morphed into the church. For example, more churches and Christians in the last few years have changed their stance on gay marriage as more Christian influencers and pastors teach a message of tolerance. It’s not because the Bible changed, but because social norms changed.
It is as if for hundreds of years, Christians misunderstood what the Bible said about homosexuality, and we’re the ones in the 21st century who discovered that God actually accept it. It’s like we got a whole new revelation that conveniently makes us less hated by the world and helps us fit in better with society.
That is false teaching because the Bible tells us multiple times that we can’t be friends with the world (James 4:4). That if we were of the world, it would love us as its own. Instead, the world hates us because we are not of this world (John 15:19). The mind of the flesh is hostile to God: it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so (Romans 8:7). The church should not conform to the world, but false teachers will do just that: they make things that the church for hundreds of years didn’t do - what the Bible forbids - all of a sudden acceptable because “times have changed.” But God does not change, even if times do get more progressive (Malachi 3:6, Numbers 23:19).
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. -2 Timothy 4:3-4
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he warned him of just this: itching ears. It’s a concept of people going where the teaching condones their lifestyle.. It’s looking for a church that aligns what your beliefs. It’s finding influencers/teachers that tell you what you want to hear. They tell you all the good, positive things that allows you to live the way you want to live. Our standard for a church and our leaders should always be the unchanging truth of the Bible, the Word of God.
These are just five red flags (the Bible has many more!). The number one way you can learn to spot false teachers is to know the Teacher.
“Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.” -John 14:6
Do you know how bankers are taught to spot fake money? They don’t take courses in the top forgery styles. Instead, they are taught to know the real thing so well - the touch, the feel, the markers, the hidden security measures, the smell - that anything other than the real thing immediately feels off. That is why personal Bible study and time spent in His presence is vital - it will help you filter false doctrine and distinguish anointed teaching from just another charismatic, well-spoken, beloved by the world teacher.
Before you pick up another devotional, follow another Christian Instagram account, attend another women’s conference or pick up the latest best-selling Christian book, READ THE BIBLE. From cover to cover, study the original source before you go to any human interpretation of the Word of God. Learn to walk in the Spirit as He teaches you through the Word of God and in prayer. Knowing the red flags of false teachers is helpful, sure, but personally knowing the real thing? It’s everything.
As Albert Einstein once said, “The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”
Don’t follow the crowd. Follow Jesus.
Don’t follow popular culture. Follow the narrow way.
Don’t follow lukewarm Christianity that embraces the world. Follow the Holy Spirit that sets a standard of holiness.
Build a Scriptural foundation in the Truth instead of blindly stepping on to someone else’s platform.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yelena is the founder and editor in chief Tirzah. Yelena works as an attorney in tax and in her spare time, she is working on her first book for unmarried twenty-something women in extended waiting seasons and running Tirzah. She has a passion for pointing young women to Christ, and enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family.