A couple of weeks ago, I saw a video where a pastor was explaining to his congregation why they were no longer going to sing music from certain bands in their church. I’m not going to link the video or name the Pastor. One thing I’ve learned is that I can’t control what other churches or ministers do. All I can do is make sure I know the truth of what the Bible says, and express that truth.
“For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.” – Matthew 24:24
His general reasoning, (and some of his information was completely untrue), was that the lead Pastors of most popular churches are actually false teachers, and that by listening to them, you’ll be deceived and led astray.
I want to discuss what a false teacher is according to the Bible, because putting that label on a minister and a child of God where it is not true, will leave you accountable. So its not something to throw around trivially simply because you don’t agree with their theology.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Why is it so important for people to call out and name false teachers? Well, their explanation is to protect the flock, so they aren’t led astray by deception, and thus forfeit their salvation. But frankly, if you’re really that concerned about souls, you would be spreading the gospel to everyone you meet, and not spending all your time criticizing ministers who have led more people to the Lord in a year than you have in a lifetime.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.” – 1 John 4:1-3
First things first, if you are questioning whether someone is a false teacher, pay attention to how they talk about Jesus. He should always be acknowledged as the Son of God, part of the Holy Trinity, and the only way to heaven. If you hear messages about Jesus being simply a good teacher, or a good example to follow, but he’s stripped of his divinity, that’s a red flag.
Are they teaching about the death and Resurrection of Christ? Is there an understanding that the sacrifice of Jesus took our place so that through him we could have salvation? If there’s any notion that there’s another way to heaven, or more than one way to the Father, run for your life.
“Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is‘ the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:10-12
Secondly, are they preaching about sin and hell? I once played drums for a church (won’t say the denomination), that actually changed the lyrics of a song to remove the word “sin”. If a church or minister does not acknowledge the reality of hell, and that sin is what separates us from God, keep running.
If they don’t teach the need for repentance, they aren’t teaching the true gospel. If they avoid admitting there is a hell, they aren’t preaching truth. There is a heaven, and there is a hell. Sin is from the devil, and we have to flee from it. There are multiple warnings in the Scripture about people being led away by lax morality, and giving in to the desires of the flesh.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
Another important thing to consider is the subject of holiness. Are they teaching that because Jesus already died, then it doesn’t matter how we live? The Bible is explicitly clear about living holy, and dying to our sinful nature. Jesus constantly instructed people to “go and sin no more”. We are saved by the grace of God, but it doesn’t allow for us to remain bound to sin.
“Well then, shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep on showing us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! For sin’s power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through his death the power of your sinful nature was shattered. Your old sin-loving nature was buried with him by baptism when he died; and when God the Father, with glorious power, brought him back to life again.” – Romans 6:1-4
There are warnings in the Bible about false teachers leading people astray, but a simple study of the original language will reveal something entirely different than what the anti-prosperity preachers are trying to promote.
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:11-12
The Pharisees were labeled as hypocrites, because they had an outward religious appearance, but there was no heart transformation on the inside. They kept holding to the laws of the past, not understanding why Jesus had come. They viewed their salvation in the light of how well they kept the ceremonial laws, rather than repenting and confessing Jesus as Lord.
Paul addresses a similar issue in Acts 20, where he warns the people about wolves in sheep clothing. Again, after a study of the original language, you’ll learn these wolves were convincing the gentiles that in order to be saved, they would have to keep the customs of the Jewish ceremonial laws.
The whole concept of the gospel, which is grace though faith in Christ Jesus, was being distorted by religious tradition. If there was a teaching that you could be saved simply by obeying the law, then you would not have any salvation at all. Paul was concerned that once he left, the Judeans who didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah would swoop in and lead people astray.
“Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.” – Mark 6:5-6
One last thing I’ll address. There is a danger of falling into a trap of unbelief by following preachers who teach the love of God, and the judgement of God, but then strip Him of His power. You can’t grasp the entirety of who God is without understanding His power, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the anointing that we receive.
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” – James 5:16-18
When I hear people getting chastised for having “too much faith”, or for taking God at His word in the areas of giving, and healing, we may need to question who are really the ones being deceived.
