7 Traits Of False Teachers by mrkunlex(m): 5:54am On Feb 04, 2018 |
“There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” (2 Peter 2:1)
There are no “ifs, ands, or buts” in Peter’s words. It’s a clear and definite statement. There were false prophets among the people (of Israel in the Old Testament). That’s a matter of history. False prophets were a constant problem in the Old Testament, and those who falsely claimed to be prophets of God were to be stoned. The people rarely had the will to deal with them, so they multiplied, causing disaster to the spiritual life of God’s people.
In the same way Peter says, “There will be false teachers among you.” Notice the words “among you.” Peter is writing to the church and says, “There will be false prophets among you.” So he is not talking about New Age people on television. He is talking about people in the local church, members of a local congregation.
There is no such thing as a pure church this side of heaven. You will never find it. The wheat and the tares grow together. Warren Wiersbe writes:
Satan is the counterfeiter. . . . He has a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9), preached by false ministers (2 Corinthians 11:13-12), producing false Christians (2 Corinthians 11:26). . . . Satan plants his counterfeits wherever God plants true believers (Matthew 13:38).
Authentic or Counterfeit? How would you recognize counterfeit Christianity?
In 2 Peter 1 we read about genuine believers. And in 2 Peter 2 we read about counterfeit believers. If you put these chapters side by side you will see the difference between authentic and counterfeit believers.
1. Different Source—Where does the message come from?
Peter says, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:16). And then he says the false teachers exploit you “with stories they have made up” (2:3). So the true teacher sources what he says from the Bible. The false teacher relies on his own creativity. He makes up his own message.
2. Different Message—What is the substance of the message?
For the true teacher, Jesus Christ is central. “We have everything we need for life and godliness in Him” (1:3). For the false teacher, Jesus is at the margins: “They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them” (2:1).
Notice the word secretly. It’s rare for someone in church to openly deny Jesus. Movement away from the centrality of Christ is subtle. The false teacher will speak about how other people can help change your life, but if you listen carefully to what he is saying, you will see that Jesus Christ is not essential to his message.
3. Different Position—In what position will the message leave you?
The true Christian “escapes the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (1:4). Listen to how Peter describes the counterfeit Christian: “They promise . . . freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity, for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” (2:19). The true believer is escaping corruption, while the counterfeit believer is mastered by it.
4. Different Character—What kind of people does the message produce?
The true believer pursues goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brother kindness, and love (1:5). The counterfeit Christian is marked by arrogance and slander (2:10). They are “experts in greed” and “their eyes are full of adultery” (2:14). They also “despise authority” (2:10). This is a general characteristic of a counterfeit believer.
5. Different Appeal—Why should you listen to the message?
The true teacher appeals to Scripture. “We have the word of the prophets made more certain and you will do well to pay attention to it” (1:19). God has spoken, and the true teacher appeals to his Word. The false teacher makes a rather different appeal: “By appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error” (2:18). So the true teacher asks, “What has God said in his Word?” The false teacher asks, “What do people want to hear? What will appeal to their flesh?”
6. Different Fruit—What result does the message have in people’s lives?
The true believer is effective and productive in his or her knowledge of Jesus Christ (1:. The counterfeit is “like a spring without water” (2:17). This is an extraordinary picture! They promise much but produce little.
7. Different End—Where does the message ultimately lead you?
Here we find the most disturbing contrast of all. The true believer will receive “a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:11). The false believer will experience “swift destruction” (2:1). “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them and their destruction has not been sleeping” (2:3).
Jesus tells us that there will be many who have been involved in ministry in his name, to whom he will say, “Depart from me; I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21). Who are these people? Surely Peter is describing them in this passage.
Don’t Be Naïve We must not be ignorant: “There will be false teachers among you” (2:1). So how do we apply this warning?
First, Peter’s plain statement reminds us that the church needs to be protected. Among the many wonderful people who come to through the doors of the church each year, some would do more harm than good.
They may seem the nicest of people, but they do not believe in the authority of the Bible or the exclusivity of salvation in Christ. We welcome such people, because they need Christ as much as we do, but we must not allow them to have influence in the church.
Second, skeptics will always be able to point to hypocrisy and inconsistency in the church. They’ve always done it, and they always will. One of the strangest reasons for not following Christ goes like this: “I’ve seen people in the church who are hypocrites.” So you will not follow Christ because some people who claim to do so are hypocrites?
The existence of the counterfeit is never a good reason for rejecting the genuine. Peter essentially tells us, “Of course there are counterfeit Christians. Of course there are teachers who do the church more harm than good. What else would you expect in this fallen world? Grow up! Don’t be naïve! Don’t miss what’s real simply because you have seen the counterfeit.”
Point to 2 Peter 2:1 the next time you meet someone hiding behind this excuse. Source: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-traits-of-false-teachers/ |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by Chiedu4Trump: 5:58am On Feb 04, 2018 |
OP format am for easy reading 1 Like |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by 2cato: 6:13am On Feb 04, 2018 |
The defination of false prophet is relative to everybody 1 Like |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by barapistis(m): 6:20am On Feb 04, 2018 |
mrkunlex: There are no “ifs, ands, or buts” in Peter’s words. It’s clear and definite statement. There were false prophets among the people (of Israel in the Old Testament). That’s a matter of history. False prophets were a constant problem in the Old Testament, and those who falsely claimed to be prophets of God were to be stoned. The people rarely had the will to deal with them, so they multiplied, causing disaster t the spiritual life of God’s people. In the same way Peter says, “There will be false teachers among you.” Notice the words “among you. Peter is writing to the church and says, “There will b false prophets among you.” So he is not talking abou New Age people on television. He is talking about people in the local church, members of a local congregation. There is no such thing as a pure church this side of heaven. You will never find it. The wheat and the tares grow together. Warren Wiersbe writes: Satan is the counterfeiter. . . . He has a fals (Galatians 1:6-9), preached by false minister Corinthians 11:13-12), producing false Christi Corinthians 11:26). . . . Satan plants his coun wherever God plants true believers (Matth Authentic or Counterfeit? How would you recognize counterfeit Christianity? In 2 Peter 1 we read about genuine believers. And in 2 Peter 2 we read about counterfeit believers. If you put these chapters side by side you will see the difference between authentic and counterfeit believers. 1. Different Source—Where does the message come from? Peter says, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:16). And then he says the false teachers exploit you “with stories they have made up” (2:3). So the true teacher sources what he says from the Bible. The false teacher relies on his own creativity. He makes up his own message. 2. Different Message—What is the substance of the message? For the true teacher, Jesus Christ is central. “We hav everything we need for life and godliness in Him” (1:3). For the false teacher, Jesus is at the margins: “They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them” (2:1). Notice the word secretly. It’s rare for someone in church to openly deny Jesus. Movement away from the centrality of Christ is subtle. The false teacher wil speak about how other people can help change your life, but if you listen carefully to what he is saying, you will see that Jesus Christ is not essential to his message. 3. Different Position—In what position will the message leave you? The true Christian “escapes the corruption in the world caused by evil desires” (1:4). Listen to how Peter describes the counterfeit Christian: “They promise . . . freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity, for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” (2:19). The true believer is escaping corruption, while the counterfeit believer is mastered by it. 4. Different Character—What kind of people does the message produce? The true believer pursues goodness, knowledge, self- control, perseverance, godliness, brother kindness, and love (1:5). The counterfeit Christian is marked by arrogance and slander (2:10). They are “experts in greed” and “their eyes are full of adultery” (2:14). They also “despise authority” (2:10). This is a general characteristic of a counterfeit believer. 5. Different Appeal—Why should you listen to the message? The true teacher appeals to Scripture. “We have the word of the prophets made more certain and you wi do well to pay attention to it” (1:19). God has spoken, and the true teacher appeals to his Word. The false teacher makes a rather different appeal: “By appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error” (2:18). So the true teacher asks, “What has God said in his Word?” The false teacher asks, “What do people want to hear? What will appeal to their flesh?” 6. Different Fruit—What result does the message have in people’s lives? The true believer is effective and productive in his or her knowledge of Jesus Christ (1:. The counterfeit is “like a spring without water” (2:17). This is an extraordinary picture! They promise much but produc little. 7. Different End—Where does the message ultimately lead you? Here we find the most disturbing contrast of all. The true believer will receive “a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:11). The false believer will experience “swift destruction” (2:1). “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them and their destruction has not been sleeping” (2:3). Jesus tells us that there will be many who have bee involved in ministry in his name, to whom he will say, “Depart from me; I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21). Who are these people? Surely Peter is describing them in this passage. Don’t Be Naïve We must not be ignorant: “There will be false teachers among you” (2:1). So how do we apply this warning? First, Peter’s plain statement reminds us that the church needs to be protected. Among the many wonderful people who come to through the doors of the church each year, some would do more harm than good. They may seem the nicest of people, but they do not believe in the authority of the Bible or the exclusivity of salvation in Christ. We welcome such people, because they need Christ as much as we do, but we must not allow them to have influence in the church. Second, skeptics will always be able to point to hypocrisy and inconsistency in the church. They’ve always done it, and they always will. One of the strangest reasons for not following Christ goes like this: “I’ve seen people in the church who are hypocrites.” So you will not follow Christ because some people who claim to do so are hypocrites? The existence of the counterfeit is never a good reason for rejecting the genuine. Peter essentially tells us, “Of course there are counterfeit Christians. O course there are teachers who do the church more harm than good. What else would you expect in this fallen world? Grow up! Don’t be naïve! Don’t miss what’s real simply because you have seen the counterfeit.” Point to 2 Peter 2:1 the next time you meet someone hiding behind this excuse. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-traits-of-false-teachers/ cc; lalasticlala You should be dealt with for having a good message and delivering it in a poor format We have standards in this kingdom...the text format does not meet with our kpi 1 Like |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by Chiedu4Trump: 7:35am On Feb 04, 2018 |
barapistis:
You should be dealt with for having a good message and delivering it in a poor format
We have standards in this kingdom...the text format does not meet with our kpi Said the same, bad format no gree me read am |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by prinzfavian(m): 7:39am On Feb 04, 2018 |
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Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by hopefulLandlord: 7:42am On Feb 04, 2018 |
Let's see........ |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by akeentech(m): 9:18am On Feb 04, 2018 |
I'm a good teacher, I can teach you how to blog and web design |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by Kingdolo(m): 9:18am On Feb 04, 2018 |
OK, Who can summarise this ? |
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Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by CAPSLOCKED: 9:27am On Feb 04, 2018 |
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Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by festwiz(m): 9:52am On Feb 04, 2018 |
Going by the threads logic, we have no "true prophet" in the world. They all have their own doctrines to support their own selfish desires. Fake visions, fake miracles etc. Let's not even start with their extravagant lifestyles... |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by Nobody: 10:41am On Feb 04, 2018 |
Most men of God do seek their own in disguise of carrying the Bible they never obey |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by brainhgeek(m): 2:17pm On Feb 04, 2018 |
i am unhappy with some things trending on nairaland as some Christians keep mute. i have noticed how articles critisizing the church and pastors are sent to front page but those of other faith are pulled down or deleted. I saw a post of a young man drinking alcohol while reading Quran, before you could say jack,the post was removed. i asked myself, why is it that posts that are denting the Christian faith are always making the front page as soon as it it published? Why is their a sort of protection for other faiths? why are Christians not voicing out on this? Dont we have as much bad eggs in other faiths as we have in Christianity? Just this afternoon, a post was made about an imam and 8 other guys who raped a 13yr old girl. if this has to be a pastor's case, you can bet that the name, address and full identity of the culprits, especially the pastor would have been revealed
I will speak out to encourage Jerusalem
#stopstigmatisingmyfaith #christiansarehumanstoo #fairnessstartswithme 1 Like |
Re: 7 Traits Of False Teachers by nwakaibeya1: 2:38pm On Feb 04, 2018 |
Truth is bitter and friend of very very few people and enemy of majority of people and never seeks friendship and that's our hallmark same as Jesus Christ truth that made prophets and pastors never followed Jesus Christ in bible time and what assurance do you have in this generation that many people are following Jesus Christ in his current spiritual state if those who met him physically never followed him ?how will you even know if Jesus Christ himself is talking to you now as am doing after all it was prophesied that messiah was coming in bible time and when he finally came what was the position of those who claimed to know God more than Jesus Christ ?did they need to be told by Jesus Christ if indeed they knew God as they claimed just like many people today are claiming to know Jesus Christ and here I am saying kingdom of Jesus Christ has comeback to revenge and judge people unknown to those claiming to know Jesus Christ if indeed they know Jesus Christ do I need to tell them Jesus Christ s time and season as being powerfuly declared or does it mean they don't have eyes anymore to see me ?John 6,60-68 |