An Important Truth We All Need to Test False Teachers Today
Peter was among the disciples who asked:
“What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”
The following is just a portion of Jesus reply:
You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.
Excerpts from Matthew 24:6,9,11
Jesus didn’t say there might be false prophets/teachers . . . He said there will be.
Peter was seeing Jesus words come true, so he wrote:
There used to be false prophets among God’s people, just as you will have some false teachers in your group. They will secretly teach things that are wrong—teachings that will cause people to be lost.
2 Peter 2:1a
Just like false prophets of the Old Testament were guilty of only telling people what they wanted to hear.
[King Ahab] of Israel replied to [King]Jehoshaphat [of Judah], “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me!”
1 Kings 22:8
We want people to tell us what we want to hear. So when someone comes along and says there is no hell and all kinds of immorality and sexual sin are just a “normal” part of life, there will always be people who are “deceived.”
Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.
2 Peter 2:2
So, what should you and I do to make sure we don’t follow false teachers?
Test everything against the Word of God.
And that includes everything you read here. I feel extremely blessed to be able to write in this space and I do my very best to remain faithful to the truths of the Bible. But you should not take my word for it. I want you to read and study God’s Word too!
Every book, devotion, post, teaching, sermon, and debate you and I encounter should be carefully compared with Scripture.
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32–33
You and I can’t remain faithful to Jesus’ teachings and know the truth that sets us free if we don’t know the difference between what He taught and the lies of false teachers.
I know, I’m starting to sound like a broken record. It’s only because I am that passionate about the blessings I have received through God’s Word.
A Prayer for Wisdom and Discernment to Test False Teachers
Father, there are so many voices, so many books, so many opinions and ideas. Sometimes it’s easy to only listen to the loudest and most popular. Please forgive me.
You sent Jesus to make it possible for people to be forgiven and saved forever. You could have accomplished that mission without having Him live among us for years. But You wanted us to KNOW You. You wanted us to KNOW the TRUTH that would set us free forever. You wanted us to experience the TRUTH of Your love. You wanted us to SEE what it is to walk with You.
Please give me a passion for Your Word. I want to make spending time with You a priority. I want to fill my heart and mind with the Absolute Truth that lasts forever. Please help me test all teachers against the truth of Your Word. Please help me know and obey Your will. I give myself to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Recently, I received the following comment from a reader…
I find it difficult to think that the Bible is inerrant. Parts of it had to have changed over the centuries.
This is my reply…
I understand . . . I know you are not alone in your thinking. There are even those who teach and believe the same. However, I trust and believe what the Bible says about itself and the God who gave it. Here is a page of verses about the accuracy and inerrancy of Scripture. (Link)
You see, I believe two very important truths. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And the Holy Spirit is alive and well and active. God has not changed the truth He wants people to know about Him and the Holy Spirit who inspired the original writers continues to be more than able to work in and through those who have copied and translated it throughout the generations.
You and I can trust God’s Word to know the truth and test false teachers.
On today’s note write:
God’s Word is the truth that will help me test for false teachers.
May God bless you today and fill you with His truth.
Wow! This was so needed for what’s happening in the world, thank you!
Thank you, Lynne! I appreciate your kind encouragement. God bless you!
We need to be ever more discerning and not chasing after what our “itching ears” want to hear. Thank you for reminding us of this important truth, Deb.
Blessings,
Tammy
Amen, Tammy! Thanks so much for your encouragement. God bless.
Thank you Deb, I think the truth needs repeating often, it’s so easy to get distracted and caught up in unimportant things. Blessings Angela
I agree, Angela. The enemy is constantly at work trying to distract us with the unimportant. Praying to stay focused on the Lord and His promises. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful blessing-filled weekend.