Beware of False Teachers

Beware of False Teachers

by Patricia Dailey
Senior Pastor, Bethel Revival Center
43 Norwood St.
Everett, MA 02149

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II Peter 2:1
. . . there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Those who believe these false teachers will bring unto themselves swift destruction because they turned away from the truth — they wouldn't believe the truth.

II Peter 2:2
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Many! . . . See that? Many! They speak evil of the truth, and many shall follow their pernicious ways. Their ways are hurtful, damaging, and destructive because they talk evil of the truth of God's Word. We want to be very careful that we don't listen to teaching that is contrary to the Word of God.

It's by God's Word that we learn to walk with God, learn to have faith in Him. His Word goes to work in our lives to deal with us and clean us up, making us that vessel that He so desires us to be in reaching out to others, so they, too, can find the truth.

We're surrounded by false teachers. They want to draw us away from God and from the truths of His Word.

We don't want to be ignorant of the devil's devices, and this is a device of his: to lead those away who have been in the church, those who have walked with the Lord even for many years. We've got to be rooted and grounded in the Word so we will not be deceived and led away from the truth.

False Eternal Security

One teaching of these false teachers is the teaching of eternal security.

Now, I believe in having eternal security with the Lord, but these promote that after you get saved you can go on to do anything you want to do and still be saved. But this is not according to the Word of God. You cannot walk in sin and please the Lord. He brought you out of sin, so why would He want you to continue sinning?

I want to try to steer you in the right way so you won't listen to this type of teaching, because it is contrary to God's Word. When you don't know the Word of God, that's where the devil can go to work to deceive. You need to get rooted and grounded in the Word, growing in the Lord, loving the Lord, and living according to the Scriptures.

These false teachers come along right in the midst of the church to try to spread their lies.

Proverbs 19:27
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

When they start down that line of contrary teaching, speak up and let them know you don't want to listen because it's not according to God's Word. Let them know you will have to break off fellowship with them if they continue to teach contrary.

You'd be surprised at the people who sit in church disagreeing with the message. They hear the Word preached over and over yet disagree with the teaching even though they know it is from God's Word.

How can it be? But it happens. They go to others and begin to chit chat, trying to gain favor with them. And the first thing you know, they're advocating a lie that is not according to God's Word.

Listen, if the Word says something, believe it, obey it, and have faith in it. After all, it is the truth of God's precious Word.

The Devil's Plants

These false teachers bring schism into the body of Christ. The devil plants them there to try to destroy souls. They're like wolves in the midst of God's people.

II Peter 2:1
. . . even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

The Lord bought them, but they deny Him. Now, if they are bringing upon themselves swift destruction and you follow them, then that swift destruction will be brought upon you, too.

I Timothy 6:3,4
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings

He's warning us. He's making it plain to us. They're destitute of the truth, proud, knowing nothing. And the proud will be punished. That's scriptural.

Proverbs 16:5
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Doctrine which is according to godliness: character that is chaste, pure, holy, honest, upright. This is the doctrine of God's Word.

Titus 2:11,12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world

When are we supposed to be living godly? Right now, in this present time and in this present world. This is what the grace of God teaches.

Be Like Mary

Be prayerful when you read God's Word, asking Him to give you greater understanding. The more people give themselves over to the reading of God's Word, the more they will grow in grace.

The slothful desire and have nothing. They wish they could have a knowledge of the Word, wish they could quote it, but do nothing about it because their time is too filled with other things (see Proverbs 13:4).

Jesus was visiting Mary and Martha one day. Mary sat at His feet and heard His word, but Martha was cumbered about much serving and asked Jesus to tell her sister to help her.

Luke 10:41,42
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Many of us are like Martha: We get so cumbered down with the affairs of this life that we have no time to sit at the feet of Jesus.

You can sit at Jesus' feet when you come to the house of the Lord by paying attention to the preaching of God's Word. Write the Scriptures down and go over them when you get home.

Jesus Christ came with grace and truth. He didn't come with heresies; He didn't come with lies: He came with truth. The devil, on the other hand, is a liar and the father of all lies.

Live Godly

Titus 2:11-13
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Now, we are told to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Ungodliness is anything that is against the Word of God, and worldly lusts are desires for the world and all that Satan has out there to flash before our eyes.

If others want to go that way, just step aside. But don't you get involved in those worldly lusts.

Titus 2:14,15
Who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Paul told Titus to warn those he was set over. He was to let them know it is wrong to partake of ungodly things, wrong to go after worldly lusts; and that they must live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.

He had been speaking of those who think that gain is godliness. Many look at others and say, "That person is a godly person, just look at how they are prospering."

What makes you think gain is godliness? Listen, many sinners prosper. What does a man profit if he should gain the whole world, and lose his soul? What can he give in exchange for his soul? (See Matthew 16:26)

I Timothy 6:3-5
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

They are proud, knowing nothing, and argue over these things, believing that gain is godliness. Notice that you are to withdraw yourselves from such.

I Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Be content with that which God has blessed you. If you have godliness with contentment, you have gained much. You might not have a big bank account, but if you have godliness, that is great gain to you.

I Timothy 6:11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Flee these things. Don't get involved in them.

The Doctrine of Holiness

The doctrine of holiness: This is where many rebel. Let's look into the Word of God and see what the doctrine of holiness is and then cling on to it:

Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

The doctrine of holiness is very important to us. Whether we want to receive it or not, the fact remains, we are not going to see the Lord unless we are living a holy life.

II Peter 3:10-12
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

There is a fiery judgment coming. We don't want to be around for that. We want to be ready to meet the Lord. Therefore, what manner of persons we ought to be in all holy conversation and godliness.

I Peter 1:15-17
But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear

In all holy conversation: That word conversation means your conduct, your manner of life, your speech, your thoughts, your dress — everything about you.

This is very serious, isn't it. This is why we teach and preach a message of holiness. We don't want any to end up in this fiery judgment.

Luke 1:74,75
That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.

Serve Him in holiness and righteousness: There's that word again: holiness.

II Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Perfecting: What's the next word? holiness. This is what we're supposed to be doing: perfecting holiness in the fear of God — not in the fear of man, but in the fear of God. We perfect holiness because we love God — because He said to do it — and we want to be obedient to Him.

Ephesians 4:22-24
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The new man is created after God in righteousness and TRUE holiness.

I Timothy 2:9,10
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Modest apparel: not displaying our body and causing a man or a woman to lust after us. Such things as low cut clothing and tight clothing are very suggestive.

This doesn't exempt the men. Dressing in modest apparel applies to men as well as women. Men shouldn't dress in a manner that exposes their body either.

Today both men and women wear pants that are so low cut you can see right down the back of them, or so tight they draw attention to their private parts. This is the style of today. They dress in such a way because they want others to look at their body. It's a disgraceful style and causes problems.

Matthew 5:27,28
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Just by looking at someone to lust after them, one commits adultery in their heart. You have to be sold out to God, with your mind fully controlled by Him, if you are to avoid having evil thoughts and desires when you're around such styles.

As women of God I believe we should dress in a manner that is pleasing to Him. We should dress as unto Him, not because the church says so, or because someone else says so, but because God says in His Word that we are to dress in modest apparel.

Now, it says modest apparel, not modern. Modern apparel has skirts with slits clear up to the thigh or higher. The body is exposed for all to see as they walk or when the wind blows. That's immodest dress, not modest. When someone wears a skirt like that, it entices those who have problems.

Then there's the cut off shorts that are slit up the sides. There's hardly any material at all to them. They look like they should be thrown away.

So, we see where we shouldn't be dressing to entice others, but dress modestly, with shamefacedness. Shamefaced: not standing out like a mannequin in the store window, but being shy, not wanting to be seen.

Now, who should be seen? Jesus should be seen in our lives, whether we are a man, a woman, or a child.

When you dress in these modern styles, you are no different than the ungodly out there in the world. But you say you can't find decent clothes. Oh, yes you can . . . if you want to.

. . . but (which becometh women professing godliness): You should want godliness in your life. Now, don't just profess godliness: also possess godliness.

Seducing Spirits

I Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils

If you're serving God, loving Him, not playing church, you will not fall victim to these seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

The very elect will not be deceived. It is not possible for them to be deceived. But those who give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils do not want to receive the truth; they do not want to believe the truth; they rebel against God's Word. This is why it is so important to get rooted and grounded in the Word of God.

I Timothy 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

We want a tender conscience so that when God speaks to us, we will listen and obey, wanting to do the right thing.

I Timothy 4:3-5
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Forbidding to marry: Many open themselves up to homosexuality and to molesting children because they were forbidden to marry. Yet we know that God sanctioned marriage way back in the beginning:

Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Commanding to abstain from meats: Yet the Scriptures tell us that we can eat meat, receiving it with thanksgiving (see I Tim 4:3,4).

I Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Paul was teaching Timothy in chapter four how to be a good minister of Jesus Christ.

I Timothy 4:7
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Exercise thyself rather unto godliness: There's that word again: godliness!

I Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Godliness has promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Isn't that a wonderful truth? Embrace it. It's the Word of God.

Hold to the Word of God

II Timothy 3:16,17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The Scriptures are inspired of God. Holy men of God penned out the Scriptures as the Spirit moved upon them. And they are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

II Timothy 4:1,2
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Preach the Word. It doesn't say to preach lies, or to make up something and say it is the Word of God. No, we are to preach the Word, without adding to it or taking away from it. If something is wrong, we are told to reprove and rebuke from God's Word. Many don't like that, but this is what the Word tells us to do.

II Timothy 4:3,4
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.

Many don't want sound doctrine; they don't want to hear it. But if we truly love God, we will want to hear sound doctrine. It might not feel good when we first hear it, but we will feel so much better when we yield ourselves: "Yes, Lord. I want to do what You say."

So many today are going after false teachers. They find someplace where they can hear it's all right to do as they please, to dress the way they want to. If they want to strip off, it's perfectly all right.

These people have lusts, and they want to find teachers who will tickle their ears. They turn their ears away from the truth to hear that they can do anything they want to. But if they want to make heaven their home, they're going to have to do things God's way.

In closing, let me ask you, Was this message from the Scriptures, or was it just my own doctrine? It was the Word of God, wasn't it? It would be helpful to you if you took time to go over these Scriptures. Write them down. Memorize them. They are a foundation for holiness.

Ephesians 4:11-14
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive

God forbid that we get in the place where we're listening to prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers who are teaching lies, teaching contrary to the Word.

What are these ministerial gifts for? for the perfecting of the saints: that we be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.