“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” – Acts 20:29-30
Here we find Paul warning some Ephesian brethren what was going to happen when he left them. False teachers (fierce wolves) would attack from outside the church and false teachers would arise from within. Paul didn’t tell them it “might” happen, he said it “will” happen. Both types of false teachers have the same goal, to draw away disciples after themselves.
Their chief tactic is scripture twisting; “speaking perverse things; concerning God, and Christ, and the Gospel; distorted things, wresting the Scriptures to their own destruction, and that of others; things that are disagreeable to the word of God, and pernicious to the souls of men.” (John Gill 1697-1771)
Countless books have been written about false religions, dangerous cults, and spiritual ‘snake-oil’ salesmen, sometimes by the counterfeiters themselves (about other counterfeits and Christs true church).
How do you tell the genuine article from the counterfeit? You can try and read the countless books, but how do you know which ones to read, which author to trust?
I have a suggestion – why not start with the infallible book by the infallible author – the Bible. After all, the chief tactic used by false teachers everywhere is to distort the written word of God. When you know the real deal, and a ‘poser’ enters the room, spiritual ‘flags’ pop up, warning bells sound.
The more scripture you know, the easier it gets to spot ’em. You listen to what they say (they always have a lot to say) and something doesn’t ring true. Examine their words under the light of scripture and if they’re ‘playing Twister’, you’ll know. The deeper the written word is ‘hidden in your heart’, the sooner you will spot them. The sooner they are spotted and dealt with, the less damage they inflict. The less damage then inflict, the easier it becomes to restore believers who have been deceived.
Knowledge of the written word of God is key to the gift of discernment.
The Battle Cry 
“I have a suggestion – why not start with the infallible book by the infallible author – the Bible. After all, the chief tactic used by false teachers everywhere is to distort the written word of God. When you know the real deal, and a ‘poser’ enters the room, spiritual ‘flags’ pop up, warning bells sound.”
Amen. As I DO read the word I find this is not a new problem…
“I have a suggestion – why not start with the infallible book by the infallible author – the Bible. After all, the chief tactic used by false teachers everywhere is to distort the written word of God. When you know the real deal, and a ‘poser’ enters the room, spiritual ‘flags’ pop up, warning bells sound.”
In God’s Word we find who is responsible and behind it “Now I am afraid that, as the serpent in his cunning seduced Eve, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may lose your single hearted devotion to Christ. For if some newcomer proclaims another Jesus . . . or a gospel different from the gospel you have already accepted, you put up with that well enough” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4) AND what Paul has to say….
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9).”
Paul condemned anyone who would preach a different gospel from the one taught by him, the other apostles and Jesus Christ. Though Paul does not give details of this distorted teaching, I can see from later developments the ways that the message of Christ began to be corrupted.
This is great Dan, Thank you!!!
LikeLike
Deb,
There is one instance of naming names and their error, Hymenaeus and Philetus, who claimed that the resurrection had already happened (2 Timothy 2:16-18). They must have been speaking about the resurrection of Jesus Christs, since it had indeed already happened. The specific error seems to have been that either they taught that there would be no resurrection of us mortals, or that, as was popular with Greek philosophers,there was no resurection of the physical body, that resurrection was strictual of a ‘spiritual’ nature. That’s according to the commentaries I read – you tweaked my curiosity.
I think it’s significant that Paul doesn’t give us all the gory details, but focuses on examining teaching in the light of scripture, even his own. And as you pointed out, the central issue seems to be the very Gospel itself.
LikeLike
Good afternoon. It is so imperative to “search the scirptures daily; whether those things are so.” II Peter 2:1-3 came to mind as I was reading this. The promoters of heresey will use feigned words to make merchandise of the undiscerning. Whenever there’s a suble pandering to the three lusts (flesh, eyes, pride of life) the red flags should instantly pop up. It seems that much of what’s taught in many churches these days embraces a “your best life now” mindset.
This is a serious issue and I fear that there are many saints who love the Lord Jesus, but don’t understand just how dangerous false doctrines can be. Thanks for addressing this topic.
Blessings always in Jesus name.
timbob
LikeLike
I agree with you in spades about many Christians not knowing just how dangerous false teaching really is. Paul called it ‘gangrene’!
LikeLike
God Bless You for all the work that you have
put into your blog. I greatly admire those
who stand for the Truth! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the encouragmet. Mostly I want folks who have never learned of the sovereign grace doctrines to read, think, and search the Scriptures. I love the quotes you post at your site.
LikeLike
Hi
I am glad that you like my blog,
it was a steep learning curve for
awhile lol. My hubby and I have
been delivered out of the charismatic
movement.Praise God! We found Pastor
MacArthurs site around 5 months ago,
the Lord has used his teachings to
wake us up out of the fog of deception.
We are re-learning everything, this time
through Truth instead of lies.
Such an amazing God He is!
LikeLike
I’ve been there…..I have to also say that I grew up in a reformed tradition, learned some of the great doctrines of the faith, so I didn’t have quite as steep a learning curve when He brought me back from my prodigal wanderings.
LikeLike
Prodigal wanderings…yes, this I understand as well. God is faithful.
LikeLike