Beware false teachers! Today, some might refer to them as the religious lost. Some are sincere in their belief, just deceived themselves and sincerely wrong. Others are willfully evil and look to take advantage of people. Regardless of motive, we must equip ourselves to identity these false teachers and help others do the same.
1. They teach deceptive doctrine.
Titus 1:10-16 “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:”
2. They swindle people out of money.
“Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.”
3. They set themselves as standards for holiness.
“One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure;”
4. They deceive themselves into believing that their motives are pure.
“but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
5. They are hypocrites.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
LESSON - Never take things at face value. Evil times do not allow for this luxury anymore within Christianity. Be a discerned listener and reader. Study truth for yourself so that you can easily identify error. Call out those who are in error and humbly stand for what is right. In doing so, you may save a new Believer from erring from the faith while winning others to Christ in the process!
~Mike