False Teachers

False Teachers

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  
For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough....  
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  
It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 
            2 Corinthians 11:3,4,13-15
The Bible is the ultimate base for our Christian beliefs. Sadly the truths contained in the Bible have been twisted by many preachers and evangelist over the years. It happened in the time of Paul it is happening today. The easy access to the media we have today makes it even easier for false teachers to propagate their message.
The Apostle Paul here writing to the Corinthians warns the Corinthians and through them us about such false teachers.
Paul makes it clear “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.”
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                                   Matthew 7:15-23.
As Christians we need to be vigilant. Paul referred to the false teachers at Corinth sarcastically as “super apostles”. They apparently were far more eloquent of speech than he was. And there in is the danger. People that speak well and sound good but are really wolves in sheep’s clothing.
I remember when I was much younger a couple of us went out side during a break at a Christian conference.
We were dressed in suit and tie and so we looked like we had integrity. We simply went out and started to point into a sky that had scattered clouds. All we said was “there it is. I can see it” “yes it’s there. Just there.” within a few minutes we had half a dozen people pointing and saying they seen “it”.
We didn’t even say what “it” was. It didn’t matter however there was nothing in the sky.
We didn’t have the nerve to tell the people nothing was there, so we simply walked away.
“It” however showed how people could be easily misled by a few people who looked honest.
Christians who are taught to be trusting can also be led away easily by preachers and evangelist who look honest and trusting.
 The best way for Christians to know the truth is to read the Bible for themselves. To find several commentaries and books on church history and Jewish culture in the day of Christ. There are a lot of good books out there.
Make sure however that you don’t put the commentaries ahead of the Bible. The Bible is the supreme authority for all Christian teaching.
A good commentary will point out both sides of an argument over what may be a contentious portion of scripture.
Also be careful some groups and evangelist put out their “own commentary”. While claiming to be a commentary these are frequently really one person’s thoughts on scriptures. They give only what they believe and not the whole picture.
 When it comes to church history there is a lot out there. Read about the early church and the various movements that lead up today.
As for Jewish culture, it is rich in symbolism and meaning. For the Christians learning about Jewish holiday and the various customs opens ones eyes to greater meaning within our own faith.
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy wrote,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.  
Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,  who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.  
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 
2Timothy 2:15-19
What Paul is saying could be said to people today. As can everything that is written in the Bible.
The Bible is a living book showing believers how to live. It is a beacon to the none believer to come into a personal relationship with God.
Please think about it.