False Teachings
Introduction
Several years ago a woman I know shared some things that she got in the mail: three letters from Robert Tilton Ministries. In the first letter, Tilton, a televangelist, sent her two “miracle cords.” The headline of the cover letter says this:
“I believe God has a Miracle Cord Deliverance for you!!” That certainly peaks my interest.
Tilton goes on to say “Take the two cords that I have enclosed with your letter and send one cord back to me today, along with your miracle deliverance request sheet. I want to pray over your cord and your miracle requests. As I do, I will release a powerful prophet’s anointing upon you and your needs by faith!!”
He goes on to say to keep the second cord as a “constant miracle reminder and point of contact for the very miracle of deliverance that you are believing God for!”
He cites Matthew 18. He apparently doesn’t realize that the verse is referring to church discipline.
Fortunately, Tilton also included a “Miracle Cord of Deliverance Request” checklist. There are several beautiful full color pictures, and each one has a checkbox beside it. If you have family problems, you check one box; if you need physical healing, you check another box; and if you need an anointing–whatever that is–you check another box. There are also boxes if you want to lose weight, or need a new house or money.
Whatever you need deliverance from or really want, Tilton’s Miracle Cords of Deliverance” are just what we need. All we have to do is send one of the cords back to Tilton with a checklist filled out and keep the other cord in our Bible. And voila! We get whatever we need!
But there’s one other thing that we have to do. At the bottom of the checklist is a reminder that we need to “release your faith by giving your best gift of deliverance today!”
In other words, Tilton is reminding us not to forget to send him money. He makes it really easy for us to decide how much to give. We have five options: $100, $25, $50, $500 or “Other.”
As if having a “miracle cord” wasn’t enough, Tilton also sent my friend a letter, this one with a “Red Prayer Cloth” inside. This is a valuable cloth because Tilton has already prayed over it. We’re supposed to take the cloth, place it over our heart, and pray for deliverance from whatever we need deliverance from. And then we’re supposed to touch the cloth on whatever represents our need.
But that’s not the end of it. Then we’re supposed to send our prayer needs–along, of course, with a check representing our “new vow of faith”–back to him. And then Tilton promises to get on his hands and knees, spread his “large anointed cloth” on top of everybody’s requests, pray, and everybody who gives money gets what they ask for.
And as if that isn’t enough Bob sent a third letter. This one has a wallet-size photo of Jesus inside, along with a tiny packet of crushed bread. I don’t quite follow what the packet of bread represents, but I do understand what the most important thing Tilton wants us to do: and that’s send him some more money and everything we will come true.
Many of us laugh at Tilton’s ridiculous appeals, but the truth is many vulnerable and hurting people have been duped by him and others like him. Most of us are well aware of anti-Biblical teaching from cults such as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, but sometimes we’re not as discerning in other areas, especially among televangelists.
Listen to this strange account documented by the Christian Sentinel.
“A lady wearing a dress is laying down on the ground seemingly writhing in agony and screaming. A man with a thick accent in a dark suit is standing over her barking orders while a crowd of people stand all around laughing. The lady appears to be possessed by a demon because her body jumps off the floor in an unnatural way. The man pushes her back down ordering her to ‘stay down. Let it bubble out of your belly!’ A woman with an armful of airline blankets covers her thighs to hide the view of her undergarments.
“The lady continues to flop up and down for several minutes screaming hysterically. She shouts ‘Dear Jesus’ and the man orders her not to pray but to submit to the power. She puts her hands over her face and continues laughing uncontrollably and the man proclaims ‘There it is! Now you got it.’ The audience jumps up and down applauding while the man shouts ‘The bar is open. The bar is open. Drink deeply! Get drunk on the spirit!’”
That was a description of what’s commonly called “holy laughter.”
As you might have guessed by now, the topic of this article is false teaching.
Is false teaching really that bad?
How do we know when someone is teaching lies or advocating bad doctrine?
What should we do if we come across false teaching?
We’re going to answer those questions before we’re done.
Perhaps most important of all, however, we’re going to find out the best way to avoid being duped and deceived. Because many false teachers are much more subtle than people like Tilton and well-known cults like the Mormons and the Jehovah Witnesses, there’s a lot of false teaching out there that’s hard for many Christians to discern.
Those of you who have read 2 Timothy before know that it’s a letter from the apostle Paul to Timothy, the pastor of a church in Ephesus. Timothy was handpicked by Paul to lead the church, but he’s young and facing some very stiff challenges at the time. Timothy’s apparently floundering under the pressure of persecution from unbelievers, and struggling with false teachers that are affecting him and his congregation.
Our passage for this article, 2 Timothy 2:14-19, are Paul’s strong words on the latter subject. We’re going to see four reasons to avoid and oppose false teaching. Let’s read it and then go back and examine it in more detail.
2Tim. 2:14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
2Tim. 2:15 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.
2Tim. 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2Tim. 2:17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2Tim. 2:18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
2Tim. 2:19 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.”
In verse 14 Paul tells Timothy to keep reminding “them of these things.” But who is “them” and what “things” is he talking about?
The “them” are members of the Ephesus congregation, as well as other leaders in the church.
2Tim. 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
This is the core of discipleship, by the way. Teach others what you know so they can teach others what they know, and so on. Paul wanted this to be a core function in Ephesus, and I believe it’s what he wants for all churches. We’re supposed to reproduce ourselves, and the only way to do that is to teach each other what we know about the faith.
And what, specifically, is Timothy supposed to remind them of? Well, primarily the things he’s been talking about in chapter two. For the most part, exhortations to work hard as a believer in a fallen world and to always stay focused on Christ and our Christian duty.
Be strong in the grace, verse one
Teach others what you have heard me say, verse two
Endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus, verses three and four
Compete like an athlete for the victor’s crown, verse five
Work hard like farmers, verse six
Remember Christ’s resurrection, verse eight
God’s Word isn’t chained, verse nine
Remember that we’ll be resurrected and reign with Christ in the future, verses 11 and 12
And finally, remember that the Lord’ll be faithful to embrace those who have faith, just as He will be faithful to judge those who don’t have faith, verses 12 and 13
These are the things Timothy’s supposed to remind his congregation about. But what’s he supposed to warn them about?
Don’t Quarrel About Words
“Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.”
Paul begins this command with a not so gentle reminder to Timothy. “Remember, Timothy, God is watching and listening, so you better do what you’re supposed to do.”
I don’t think there’s any question that Paul wants Timothy to have a healthy fear of the Lord. The presence of the Lord in this context is designed to help Timothy and every preacher who has followed to have the kind of attitude that motivates them to always do the right thing. God’s watching and they’ll be judged for how faithful they are to their calling.
But what “words” is he referring to? While we don’t know for sure, many commentators believe that since Paul’s talking about false teachers, the “words” are humanistic in nature. This probably includes things such as flawed human reasoning and philosophical mumbo jumbo, things that humans dream up to make themselves feel better about themselves and to deny the existence of God.
Concepts like theistic evolution, which deny clear Biblical teaching in Genesis and elsewhere. And supposedly scientific fields like psychology and psychiatry, which often promote selfishness and deny the reality of personal sin and legitimate guilt.
Col. 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
I remember when I decided to take a philosophy course while in college. I mentioned my plans to a woman I worked with and she got very serious, sat me down and did everything she could to discourage me from following through. She said she had known several people who had taken similar classes and ended up really messed up.
I was polite to her, but went home and laughed it off. It wasn’t until several years later that I realized just how messed up I had become because of that class. It was there that I became convinced that God didn’t exist and that all truth was relative.
Fortunately the Lord rescued me from my unbelief and I realized what a bunch of hooey atheistic philosophy really is.
Arguing about words can also refer to so-called Christian terminology that leads to confusion and error.
I remember what John MacArthur said when somebody asked him what “slain in the spirit” meant. He said he didn’t have any idea, because it wasn’t in the Bible. And somebody else asked him what “binding Satan” meant, and once again MacArthur said he didn’t have any idea because it wasn’t in the Bible.
Listen to what Benny Hinn, a contemporary of Robert Tilton, said about visiting a grave of a woman he knew. This is taken from the Christian Sentinel.
“I’ll never forget when I saw Aimee’s tomb. It’s incredibly dramatic. She was such a lady that her tomb was seven feet (tall), angels bowing on each side of her tomb, with a gold chain around it. As incredible as it is that someone would die with angels bowing on each side of her grave, I felt a terrific anointing when I was there.
I actually, hear this, I trembled when I visited Aimee’s tomb; I was shaking all over; God’s power came all over me. The man with me-and I was shaking–Norm who worked with Miss Kuhlman for years–took me there, and Norm and I were trembling under the power of God.
“I said ‘Dear God,” I said, ‘ feel the anointing.’ I began to weep. You say, ‘how can it be?’ I believe! I’m telling you, this may be something you never think about. Elisha the prophet was dead–you can see this later in 2 Kings–he was dead. By this time the flesh had gone to dust, and that all was left was bones. The bones were so anointed they put a dead body on top (Hinn claps) and the fellow rose from the dead, that means the anointing has lingered over your body. I believe the anointing has lingered over Aimee’s body.”
Ignoring the fact that Hinn says he saw two angels and a gold chain in front of this grave, what does he mean by the word “anointed?” He uses the word “anointing” or “anointed” five times there, and frankly, I don’t have any idea what he’s talking about.
Reading that account reminds me of Colossians 2:18.
Col. 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
I found 135 Bible verses using some form of the word anoint and, maybe I’m just dense, but they don’t mean anything like how Hinn uses the word. What in the world does Hinn mean when he says things like that?
Paul says that debates and arguments about words and terminology like that–even if they sound “churchy” or “spiritual”–”is of no value.”
2Pet. 2:3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
It Ruins Those Who Listen
At the very least, these kinds of words and strange tales confuse people. But much more serious than that, it “only ruins those who listen.” This is reason number one why we should avoid and oppose false teaching.
It “ruins those who listen.”
I believe this refers to nothing less than the damnation of people’s souls. The people that buy into this stuff–and some of it really sounds good to the unsaved mind–never learn the truth of the Gospel. Tragically, they’re lost because they’ve believed the lie of false teachings.
The Greek word for “ruin” is where we get the English word catastrophe. These words are much more than just nonsense: they have a catastrophic effect on people’s eternal souls.
2Pet. 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them -bringing swift destruction on themselves.
2Cor. 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
2Cor. 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
False teachers masquerade as men and women of God. And because they’re imposters, those who distort or misrepresent the Gospel are really leading their followers down the road to hell.
Matt. 7:13 “wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Its Teachers Should Be Ashamed
Verse 15 shows us a second reason we should be wary of false teaching, but it does so in an interesting way. It contrasts godly, Biblical teachers with ungodly, false teachers. They’re as different as night and day.
2Tim. 2:15 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.
Paul tells Timothy that, unlike the false teachers there in Ephesus, he could obtain God’s approval by studying, correctly interpreting and teaching God’s Word. If he does that, he won’t be ashamed. The word “approved” means to be tested and found acceptable. And the words “correctly handles” refer to exactness and precision.
Henry Morris says this:
“The one who would be a faithful teacher of God’s Word must diligently study it and be careful to accept and teach it as it is. This means taking it to mean exactly what the writer intended it to mean, not deviating to the right or left. Normally, this would require taking it literally, unless the writer himself makes it evident that he is using symbolic language or a figure of speech. The writers, especially inspired by the Holy Spirit, wanted their writings to be understood. Consequently, they normally used figurative language only if this would make their message easier to understand.”
So a workman is one who studies the word of truth–that’s Scripture–and correctly interprets it. He’s diligent and exacting in his reading and application of Biblical teaching.
But false teachers, who don’t have the proper respect for Scripture and its clear message of salvation by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, have reason to be ashamed.
“Do your best” can also be translated be diligent, give it your best shot or work hard. A workman is somebody who does his best to understand and teach sound Biblical doctrine. He doesn’t waste his time reading books on psychotherapy or positive thinking or the latest theory on what happens when people die.
2Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2Tim. 3:17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
A workman knows where truth can be found, the only place truth is guaranteed: and that’s the Christian Bible. I’m not going to dwell on this because it’s elementary, and I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but only the Bible is “God-breathed.” Only the Bible is God’s Word.
Tradition is good and commentaries on the Bible can be very helpful, but the only thing we can truly trust–repeat, the only thing we can truly trust–is the Bible. And since that’s the case, reading it and understanding it is a preacher’s highest priority.
For that matter, it should be the highest priority for all Christians. We’ll talk more about that in a little while.
Henry Ford said “Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success.” And what are we getting ready for by studying the Bible on a regular basis? Everything! Anything and everything!
We’re equipped to successfully handle things at home, at the office and everywhere in between. The Bible has the answers that we so desperately need!
A young man was shopping with his grandparents one time and, seeing a whole bookshelf of books on marriage and how to avoid divorce, he asked his grandmother how in the world she and her husband managed to stay together so long. After all, they didn’t have all of these great resources.
She took him by the hand, walked over to the “Religion” section and stopped in front of a shelf full of Bibles. Pointing to one of the Bibles, she said, “That’s all we ever needed.”
And that’s all Timothy and every preacher and teacher truly needs. Do you want to obtain God’s approval as a workman? Study the Bible. Know what the “word of truth” says.
I’ll never forget having lunch with a man and his wife a few years ago. He was an elder at a church out-of-state and they told me about a typical service. They described it as “spirit-filled,” with lots of speaking in tongues and laughter and joy.
During the conversation I mentioned a well-known passage in Romans that I had been studying, and I’ll never forget the look on the man’s face: it was totally blank. It seemed clear to me that he had no idea what passage I was talking about. In fact, he even said something like “I’ll have to look at that.”
I remember thinking at the time that an elder, of all people, should at least be remotely aware of the passage and doctrine I had referred to. Based on what I knew he and his wife told me about his church, I wonder if it is weak on Bible-teaching and rich on experiential things.
Worship and praise is wonderful and brings glory to God, but so does diligent study of His Word. How can we be doers of the Word if we don’t even know His Word? Nothing prepares preachers or their people more for godly living and usefulness in the Kingdom of God like studying the Bible and having a firm understanding of important doctrine.
I remember a quote from Selma Hayek, an actress, who said this:
“I’ve never found in the Bible where it says you cannot do movies where you kiss the guy and take your clothes off.”
If Hayek would bother to closely examine the Bible, while she wouldn’t find a direct command to stay dressed in movies and don’t do sex scenes, she would find clear teaching that condemns that kind of behavior.
The second reason we should avoid false teaching, then, is because the one who’s teaching it should be ashamed. Not surprisingly, however, they seem to have little or no shame, do they?
After ABC News exposed how corrupt Robert Tilton’s ministry was years ago, he continued to deny any wrongdoing despite stiff opposition. According to Personal Freedom Outreach, after the network’s expose, Tilton’s wife said people on the street made obscene gestures at him and screamed at the two of them.
Was Tilton ashamed of his behavior, of being charged with taking people’s money and ignoring people’s prayer requests by tossing them into the trash? Decide for yourself.
According to a Religious News Service report, Tilton said this: “I had to give careful consideration and prayer to past circumstances to make sure we … have learned the lessons well. I believe we have, otherwise God would not allow us to go forward as he has.”
Personal Freedom Outreach went on to say that “Tilton credits controversial charismatic pastors Sam and Jane Whaley with saving his life. The Whaleys perform ‘demon blasting,’ a practice where a prayer circle is formed around a subject believed to be possessed and the inhabitant is shouted at for hours. Tilton claims the North Carolina couple helped him in 1993 by ‘casting out his own demons.’”
Even though the Bible clearly teaches that demons are real, based on this quote, Tilton appears to be mishandling Scripture. I can’t find anything in the Bible about “demon blasting.” And not only is it unbiblical, yelling at supernatural beings for several hours is undoubtedly fruitless.
Phil. 3:18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Phil. 3:19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
False teachers are not workmen approved to God and have cause to be ashamed–that’s the second reason we should avoid them and their teaching.
It Leads To Ungodly Behavior
A third reason to avoid false teaching is found in verse 16.
2Tim. 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
Godless chatter and false doctrine leads to ungodly living. That’s a third reason why we need to flee from unbiblical teaching. People with bad doctrine ultimately behave poorly. In fact, people’s sinful lifestyles essentially dictate what their doctrine is. Bad doctrine and ungodly living go hand-in-hand.
Let’s look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 to see this concept in practice. While this passage is talking primarily about false teachers, unfortunately members of congregations can turn out like this as well. People become like their leaders. If their doctrine is good and they live godly lives, then so will their followers. But if the leaders’ doctrine is bad and they live corrupt lives, so will the people.
2Tim. 3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2Tim. 3:2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2Tim. 3:3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
2Tim. 3:4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -
2Tim. 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
How can you tell a false teacher? His life is corrupt. You can always tell a false teacher by the bad fruit that you find on the ground all around him.
And let’s not forget Paul’s final words in verse five: “Have nothing to do with them.”
Look at what Jude says about false teachers.
Jude 4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Now let’s skip down to verse eight.
Jude 8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.
Verses 12 and 13.
Jude 12 These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm -shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted -twice dead.
Jude 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
Now verse 16.
Jude 16 These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
Peter has a few things to say about false teachers, as well.
2Pet. 2:10 This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings;
2Pet. 2:11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.
2Pet. 2:12 But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.
2Pet. 2:13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.
2Pet. 2:14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed -an accursed brood!
2Pet. 2:15 They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
I remember hearing about a missionary who visited St. Louis, someone who had a bad case of “I’m more spiritual than you,” and whose teaching seemed questionable, to put it mildly. As is always the case, bad doctrine was accompanied by a gross and disgusting lifestyle. It turned out the man was involved in homosexuality with young boys, carried a handgun in his belt and was arrested for drug trafficking.
Reason number three for avoiding false teaching: it leads to ungodly living.
It Spreads Like Gangrene
But Paul’s not through in warning Timothy. A fourth reason to steer clear of bad doctrine and those who teach it is found in verses 17 and 18.
2Tim. 2:17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
2Tim. 2:18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
We should steer clear of bad doctrine and those who teach it because their damning nonsense will “spread like gangrene.” Gangrene spreads like wildfire. It’s probably most prevalent on battlefields, and even here in the 21st century, if not treated immediately, it leads to amputation or death.
2Pet. 2:2 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
A fourth reason for Christians to be wary of unscriptural teaching is because it will “spread like gangrene.”
As Warren Wiersbe says, “The infection must be exposed and removed.”
Paul even names names here in verse 17. Hymenaeus is almost certainly the same man who Paul put out of the church in 1 Timothy 1:19-20, because he had shipwrecked his faith and was blaspheming. Philetus isn’t mentioned anywhere else. Regardless, the two of them were teaching heresy, denying one of the central truths of Christianity: the resurrection.
1Cor. 15:13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
1Cor. 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
As William McDonald says, these two false teachers ended up in “God’s hall of shame” because they didn’t correctly handle the “word of truth.”
Notice that they weren’t quibbling about relatively minor or obscure doctrine, but about one of the basics about the Gospel, something that’s clearly evident throughout Scripture: the resurrection. This isn’t a disagreement about whether men should wear coats and ties during communion. This is serious stuff, doctrine that’s critical to salvation and right living.
And this bad doctrine was destroying “the faith of some.” People who had expressed interest in the Gospel and were searching for truth had their faith destroyed. Their faith was obviously not true saving faith, and we’ll see that in a minute.
In the first five verses of this passage, then, Paul gives Timothy four reasons why we should avoid false teaching:
it ruins those who listen
the people who teach that stuff should be ashamed before God
bad doctrine leads to ungodly living
it will spread like gangrene
But Paul’s instructions to Timothy on the subject don’t stop here. He feels the need to reassure him about the fate of those who may have been exposed to false teaching.
The Lord Knows Who Are His And Who Are Not
2Tim. 2:19 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.”
I believe the foundation refers to the Church and WE, Christians, are His Church. And as the “solid foundation,” as members of the Lord’s Kingdom, God is well aware of who we are and, as Jesus says in Matthew 18:11, “the gates of Hades will not overcome” His Church.
This verse says that the Lord has placed a seal of ownership on us. He “knows those who are his.” He’s not going to abandon us or allow us to be sucked in so deep that we’ll lose our salvation. He’s not going to be able to identify sheep mixed in among the goats. In fact, I believe Scripture teaches that true believers will actually find it difficult–especially if they bother to read Scripture–to stick around in the midst of blatant and damning false teaching.
So even though some people have their faith destroyed sitting under false teachers, it’s clear that they weren’t ever really Christians at all. But people with real saving faith are secure. And also notice that “those who are his” are expected to “turn away from wickedness.” real saving faith is evident with obedience to God’s command. Not perfect obedience, but a sincere effort to obey the Lord. Again, good doctrine begets good behavior.
Now let’s look at 2 Peter 2 and we’ll see the opposite fates of those who are truly of the Lord and those who are deceived and perishing.
2Pet. 2:3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
2Pet. 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;
2Pet. 2:5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
2Pet. 2:6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
2Pet. 2:7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men
2Pet. 2:8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)-
2Pet. 2:9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
Do you see what Peter’s saying here? He’s saying that the Lord is capable of rescuing His people from judgment, righteous people like Noah and Lot, even though they were in the midst of rampant sin and ungodliness. And He’s also capable of rescuing those believers who are in the midst of false teaching. It won’t affect their eternal destiny. As we just read, “the Lord knows who are his.”
On the other hand, Peter says, in effect, that the Lord also knows who are not his, including false teachers and their unsaved followers. The Lord can tell us apart. False teaching or not, He knows who are His and who aren’t His.
Those of us who are believers can be comforted by that thought. We might be deceived for awhile, but the Lord will hang onto us. On the other hand, it’s not a very comforting thought for those who are not truly saved and are blind to the truth of the Gospel, because their deception means they’ll be judged for their sins. They’re not covered by the blood of Christ.
Tragically, by buying into the lie of damning false doctrine, their destiny is to be judged before a holy God and found wanting. That’s the destiny of both unsaved false teachers and their unbelieving followers.
Conclusion
As we wrap things up, let’s answer the three questions that we raised at the beginning of this message.
1. Is false teaching really that bad?
Yes, very much so. It can have tragic and eternal consequences, and much of it is subtle but very destructive.
2. What should we do when and if we come across false teaching?
Depending upon the consequences, we should do one of two things: either confront it head on or have nothing to do with it.
And how do we know what to do? For what it’s worth, here are a few suggestions.
If, for instance, you start hearing blatantly false doctrine being taught from the pulpit, doctrine that’s clearly contrary to clear Biblical teachings–especially on major doctrines and especially in regards to salvation–you should confront the preacher privately. Pray a lot, make sure you’re on solid ground and then go to him.
Ask him to show you where in the Bible he draws his conclusions from, and be ready to defend your interpretation of Scripture. If after that meeting you still don’t see eye-to-eye and it’s a significant doctrine, then I would suggest you prayerfully consider approaching the eldership to point out the preacher’s error. But if you find yourself at odds with them, as well as the preacher, begin praying for the Lord’s direction to a church that teaches sound doctrine.
You should also pray about letting others in the congregation know about the doctrinal error. At some point, though, you’ll need to move on. You don’t want your mind to be polluted with lies and deceptions.
And needless to say, before you do all of this make darn sure your interpretation is the correct one. Study and pray about it.
On the other hand, if you’re searching for a church home and come across a place that’s teaching bad doctrine, don’t even consider placing membership there. Keep praying and searching for where God wants you to serve.
1John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Finally, if you’re at home minding your own business and a Jehovah’s Witness or Mormon or someone you know teaches false doctrine knocks on your door, you have a clear Biblical mandate on how to handle that situation. Look at 2 John 7-11.
2John 7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
2John 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.
2John 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
2John 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him.
2John 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.
In other words, if you decide to open the door, politely tell the person about this passage and the conversation ends there. Then close the door. Better yet, if false teachers come to your neighborhood frequently, keep a Bible next to your front door with these verses marked and read it to them. What a great witness that is, for them to hear the truth of God’s Word.
3. How do we know when someone is teaching lies or advocating bad doctrine?
The answer is really very simple, although the follow-through is challenging. It’s found in verse 15. Let’s read it again.
2Tim. 2:15 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.
How can we tell false teaching from true teaching? How can we tell good doctrine from bad doctrine? There’s really only one way: study the Bible.
I believe that each one of us can obtain God’s approval, as a workman who correctly handles the word of truth. I believe that the Lord is calling ALL of us–preachers and non-preachers, mature Christians and new Christians–to study Scripture.
How can we know if Robert Tilton’s “miracle cords of deliverance” and “red prayer cloth” really work if we don’t study the Bible? And how can we know if “holy laughter” is the way to go if we don’t study the Bible?
The answers are found in the Christian Bible. That’s not me talking, that’s what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write here in 2 Timothy 2. Even though you may be blessed with solid Biblical teaching at your home church, I suggest you not rely solely on the teachers there.
ALL of us need to be diligent, not just church leadership. Don’t we want to stand before God and hear Him praise us for being so diligent? Don’t we want to stand before God and hear Him say “Well done good and faithful servant?”
John MacArthur tells the story about a missionary who knew of a French girl who was blind from birth. The girl loved the Bible so much that she found a Braille version of it and read it constantly. Unfortunately, though, she read so much that her fingers actually became calloused and she had a lot of trouble reading anymore.
Incredibly, she cut the skin off her fingers so her fingers would be more sensitive. Of course, the opposite occurred, and they were even more desensitized than before. Thinking that she would never be able to read the Bible again, she bent down to kiss the Bible goodbye as it were, and discovered that her lips were more sensitive than her fingers ever were. From then she read with her lips.
How much do you love the Word of God? How much do you want to protect yourself from false teaching? How bad do you want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant?”