How to Tell a False Teaching and what to do with a False Teacher. Uncover how to DISCERN with How to Identify False Teachings and handle False Teachers! Learn key strategies for discerning misleading doctrines and speaking the truth in love to deceived leaders. Don't miss out on this tool to safeguard your faith. Watch now to equip yourself with the knowledge needed to protect your spiritual journey!
Trevor H. Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca/ and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com He helps you learn how to discern https://revtrev.link/discern Check out https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.
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This was a fun message to prepare for because a while ago I was reading in 2 Peter and connected some points that I haven’t connected before. When I sat down to organize them, I knew the tool I would create would use the word DISCERN. I got even more excited when I realized I’ve never used the word DISCERN for a tool even though I’ve taught a lot on how to Learn to Discern. So today we’re going to start with the beginning and unpack it as we go along as we learn How to Tell a False Teaching and what to do with a False Teacher.
Read 2 Peter 1:1 – 2:22
Can I Pray?
How to tell a false teaching and what to do with a false teacher
Let’s unpack that.
As teachers, we’re told we’ll receive a stricter judgement (James 3:1). So we need to be diligent to present ourselves approved to God, a worker who does not be to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). In everything, we make ourselves an example of good works with integrity and dignity in our teaching (Titus 2:7-8). Pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22).
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).
It’s up to the one teaching to make sure they are handling the word of God properly. As teachers, we need to let the word read us before we share any competence in it.
It’s also up to all us together to know when a teaching is false or deceptive AND not to have itching ears just hearing what we want to hear.
We need to be diligent and working in love.
Why do we need to look for false teaching?
When it comes to prophecies …
We’re told to eat the meat and spit out the bones. (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)
When it comes to teaching…
We only have the option of milk or meat (Hebrews 5:14, 1 Corinthians 3:2). No bones are allowed.
There are debatable things that we should probably stay away from. They don’t lead away from life and godliness, but they do lead away from Christian fellowship.
Grace from God for ignorance and arrogance
When I was a young pastor, I had a couple of friends tell me “That’s just your opinion,” and I was offended because I thought I was saying the very oracles of God. But I realized there are some things that are debatable that don’t lead away from life and godliness that I don’t need to share my opinion on.
And sometimes its simple ignorance. Again, when I was a young pastor, I was reading through the early church fathers and came across a wonderful illustration of how this body is a seed that gets planted and grows something that is so marvellous compared to the seed, that it looks nothing like. And when I used it as an illustration, I pointed out that it was extra-canonical and not inspired like scripture. The next morning, I read it in 1 Corinthians. The dude ripped off Paul, and I said it was nice, but not inspired.
All that is to say is that Holy Spirit will finish the good work in me just like he will finish the good work in you. My job is do bring the loaves and fishes and offer it to him to multiply.
I will do my best to bring milk or meat. I like to think I’m heavy on the meat. It’s like a Brazilian steakhouse today.
Does false teaching really matter?
"There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you" (2 Peter 2:1).
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).
How do you recognize false teaching?
That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked. Aren’t you glad the Bible doesn’t leave it ambiguous?
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.
DISCERN False Teaching Tool
D – Define the source (2 Peter 1:16 vs 2:3)
I – Identify the message (2 Peter 1:3 vs 2:1)
S – Secure the position (2 Peter 1:4 vs 2:19)
C – Care about character (2 Peter 1:5 vs 2:14)
E – Elicit the appeal (2 Peter 1:19 vs 2:18)
R – Reason the results (2 Peter 1:8 vs 2:17)
N – Narrow to the end (2 Peter 1:11 vs 2:1,3)
Let’s unpack
D – Define the source (2 Peter 1:16 vs 2:3)
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).
The true teacher sources from the Bible and their testimony of Christ. We should preach it until we live it. We can preach it from other’s testimony, if it lines up with Scripture and the nature of God expressed in scripture.
The false teacher relies their own creativity. They make up their own message. Or they borrow someone else’s that they don’t do the work themselves on.
Well known example
Here’s a really silly example. Have you ever heard Jesus’ illustration of “I'll say it again-it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of A needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” Matthew 19:24
And people explaining there was a gate in Jerusalem (or Damascus) the was so low that camels needed to get on their knees and have their burdens removed so they could crawl through after the main gate was closed.
I’ve heard heart-wrenching sermon on this…literally the same sermon illustration by different people. Some were better than others.
There are a few problems with this
First, we have no gate from the time of Christ or mention of it. Who puts possible access in a walled city that closed up? A thousand years later, there were all kinds of gates called “The eye of the needle”, because of what Jesus said. Nothing contemporary to Christ.
Second, it occurs in 3 gospels and all three use a different word for needle, for example Luke uses a surgical needle. There is no gate alluded or specifically mentioned in the text.
Third, in the text itself the disciples thought it was impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom and Jesus told them what’s impossible with men is possible with God.
This is not so important, except it’s used over the centuries to tell rich people they could get favour with God if they take off the burdens of wealth and give it to the church. As if they could earn their salvation with works while the rest of us require His grace to be saved.
It’s only going to be worse. Pastors are now using Chat GTP programs and not checking up on what it gives them. I asked Chat GTP to find me the earliest reference for this interpretation and it told me Origen said it first. I had never heard that before, I asked for that citation an it said “oh no, I was mistaken…
…One of the earliest known references to this interpretation is found in the writings of Archbishop Thomas Bradwardine, who lived in the 14th century. Bradwardine's work, specifically his commentary on the Gospel of Matthew…
I asked for citation and it said it didn’t have access. It was just scraping the web, telling me what other people said.
All that is to say We need to know the context of Scripture.
For example – what’s the context of “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”
When I was growing up, those were some of the rules to live by. Let’s look at the context.
“Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. (Colossians 2:21-23 NLT)
Tip – Be in the Word so you know what doesn’t sit right.
Is it in the Book or is it made up stories or does it cherry pick truth and misapply it?
I – Identify the message (2 Peter 1:3 vs 2:1)
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 they are saying, you will see that Jesus Christ is not essential to the message.
My experience
I took a course on Creative Proclamation of the Old Testament and the final assignment was writing a message completely from the Hebrew Scriptures. And the sermon I handed in had dozens of people come up to commit or recommit their lives to Jesus when I preached it. I failed that assignment because I talked about Jesus. I told the professor “If I’m not talking about Jesus I’m wasting everybody’s time.” And gladly took the mark he gave me.
We need to discern if it lines up with Scripture, but also the Spirit behind it.
Paul in Philippi cast out truth-telling Spirit. Lying spirits 1 Kings 22:19-23 Micaiah is asked by King Ahab of Israel to inquire of the Lord about going to battle.
What is more dangerous a clock that is 1 minute behind or 7 hours ahead? It’s the one that’s close.
Tip: If it feels off or just doesn’t seem right, be like the Bereans searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. Acts 17:11 Learn to trust the Spirit’s voice. If it feels off, question. Holy Spirit will teach you all things.
What is the spirit behind the message?
S – Secure the position (2 Peter 1:4 vs 2:19)
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 person is a slave to whatever has mastered them” (2:19).
The true believer is escaping corruption, while the counterfeit believer is mastered by it.
As Christians our journey is to become more and more and more like Jesus.
In Philippians 2 Paul outlines Christ attitudes and these help us discern what teaching to listen to.
1. Does the teaching tell me to compete or do something because I think I deserve it?
Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves (NIV)
2. Does this teaching put me or others first?
Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (NIV)
3. Is this teaching me to be more, or teaching me to be more like Jesus?
Philippians 2:5-7 “Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing…” (NIV)
Tip: Watch for anything that speaks to your fallen nature. That is who you were, But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 Everything has changed for you (2 Corinthians 5:17). Live up to what you’ve already attained (Philippians 3:16).
In what position will the message leave you?
C – Care about character (2 Peter 1:5 vs 2:14)
The true believer pursues goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly 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.
Relationship is so important. We live in a world of headlines, sound bites and 1 minute videos. Context is critical and the context of a person is their character.
Disclaimer about viral clips
Disclaimer: You might have seen our short – 60 second or less clips on social media. We use a program that has an AI produce the “Most potentially Viral” parts of our messages. Basically it stops us short so what we say in the clip is controversial (Or heresy).
Let me give you an example… the clip cut me off saying “…and Jesus didn’t come and die on the cross..” I caught that one and expanded the clip so it included the full thought “…and Jesus didn’t come and die on the cross so we could gather together and look at the back of each other’s head”.
I’m not worried about people who know us and know our hearts hearing ai generated heresy. I suspect you’ll follow the link to full message and see it in context. I am concerned with people who don’t know us passing judgment without context or worse being trained on sound bites.
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:7–9 NLT)
Tip: Context is critical and the context of a person is their character.
What kind of people does the message produce?
E – Elicit the appeal (2 Peter 1:19 vs 2:18)
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 will appeal to their flesh?"
The essence of solid teaching lies in focusing on what God has revealed in His Word rather than catering to the desires of people. The true teacher seeks to understand and communicate the truths found in Scripture, aligning their teachings with the principles and messages conveyed by God.
On the other hand, the false teacher prioritizes pleasing the audience by saying what they want to hear, often appealing to their worldly desires and interests. This contrast highlights the importance of grounding teachings in the divine wisdom of the Bible rather than catering to human preferences and inclinations.
Remember wisdom
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere. James 3:17
Tip: Look for wisdom from above and avoid appeals based on lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.
For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:16-17 NLT)
Is the message wisdom from above or does it appeal to base desires?
R – Reason the results (2 Peter 1:8 vs 2:17)
The true believer is effective and productive in his or her knowledge of Jesus Christ (1:8). The counterfeit is "like a spring without water" (2:17).
What a metaphor! They promise much but produce little.
My Uncle Gordon would often say, “Is this going to matter in 100 years?” Most things wouldn’t matter in 2 months. A few would matter for generations. The things that mattered for generations are the things I’ve learned to confront.
Wisdom is from above. Wisdom is discerned by us together. None of us have the corner on wisdom, but together we see His wisdom more clearly. We need each other so much more than our culture teaches us and more than most of the evangelical world is even aware of.
It’s not “Me and Jesus, it’s Us and Christ. When Christ calls you to Himself, He calls you to community.
Tip: Stick with people of wisdom. Ask them what they discern.
What result does the message have in people's lives?
N – Narrow to the end (2 Peter 1:11 vs 2:1,3)
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).
Remember what we can learn from Philippians 2.
Paul outlines Christ attitudes and these help us discern what teaching to listen to.
1. Does the teaching tell me to compete or do something because I think I deserve it?
Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves (NIV)
2. Does this teaching put me or others first?
Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others (NIV)
3. Is this teaching me to be more, or teaching me to be more like Jesus?
Philippians 2:5-7 “Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing…” (NIV)
Tip: Line the attitude of any teaching with the attitude of Christ.
It is God’s will for you to become more and more like Jesus. That’s the good He works all things together for.
Where does the message ultimately lead?
We need to Learn to DISCERN False Teaching
D – Define the source
Is it in the Book or is it made up stories or does it cherry pick truth and misapply it?
I – Identify the message
What is the spirit behind the message?
S – Secure the position
In what position will the message leave someone?
C – Care about character
What kind of people does the message produce?
E – Elicit the appeal
Is the message wisdom from above or does it appeal to base desires?
R – Reason the results
What result does the message have in people's lives?
N – Narrow to the end
Where does the message ultimately lead?
But let’s say the teaching is false. What do we do then?
That’s a great question and one we’ll most likely need to deal with at some time.
What to do about a false teacher?
This is not if you disagree with something someone taught. It’s when you hear false teaching and you’ve run it through the matrix from 2 Peter 1 and 2 and so you know it’s false.
You need to ACT
ACT to Confront a False Teacher
A – Assess your Role Matthew 18:15-18
C – Choose your time 2 Timothy 2:24-26
T – Treat with Love 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Let's unpack…
A – Assess your role
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:15-18 (NIV)
The passage in Matthew is where Jesus taught excommunication. Excommunication is the response to unrepentant false teaching. It’s what Paul did to Hymanuaeus and Alexander who have shipwrecked their faith
Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:20 (NIV)
Excommunication in Relationship
Excommunication cannot happen without relationship. Back in 1054 the Pope in Rome and the Patriarch in Constantinople excommunicated each other. Bad things happen when excommunication is done outside of real relationship.
Are you in relationship? If you are, you have a responsibility to confront. The pattern through it Jesus already gave.
Step one – Go yourself,
Step two – take one or two,
Step three – bring before the church.
How you do those steps I’ll get into in a bit.
If you’re in relationship, you have a responsibility.
There are some things that are debatable that doesn’t lead people away from God and won’t matter in 100 years, I don’t worry about arguing with people who can be wrong and it doesn’t affect where they’re spending eternity. If it will dangerously distort their or others view of God and lead them away from becoming more like Jesus, and I’m in relationship with them I need to follow Jesus’ instructions Step one – Go yourself, Step two – take one or two, Step three – bring before the church.
But if you’re not in relationship with the false teacher, ignore the false doctrine. It’s not your place to put someone else in their place.
Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval. (Romans 14:4 NLT)
If you’re not in a relationship, you’re not in a place to judge a person. You can judge a thought or way of thinking of course.
But there is a huge difference between judging a false teacher and judging a false teaching.
Never mix those two up.
If a teaching is dangerous, you can do a blog or video post or write a book about what the teaching is and why it’s so wrong. Don’t bring in where you heard it from, Don’t set up straw men and knock down. Stick to what the Bible actually says, stay away from personal attacks.
Tip: Turn it off, skip the podcast, unsubscribe. Don’t do drive by’s. You don’t need to leave a snarky comment why it’s so wrong. But if it’s in you – be diligent in teaching the word.
And understand that teaching may not have the same effect as a teacher. It is a longer road to travel. It probably doesn’t need to be confronted as much a teacher—that you’re in relationship with—would need to be.
Is this relationship worth the risk or is worth cutting off?
C – Choose your Time
A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NLT)
You’re not in the right place if you enjoy putting someone in there place. To knock someone off their high horse, you have to be on your own high horse. If it doesn’t hurt you to confront someone it’s not the time to confront them.
Galatians 6:1-3 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Tip: Ask questions to understand, not set up and don’t demand answers.
This is not about putting off what needs to be done. It’s about God working on you before you do more damage.
Will this hurt me to confront?
T – Treat with Love
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)
Discernment without love is criticism. Do everything in love. Ask for wisdom and you’ll get wisdom (James 1:5).
When Jesus addressed the church in Ephesus in the book of Revelation he said they had all the right theology but lost their first love. If they didn’t repent and do what they did at first he would remove their lamp stand. Love is so important for us.
Wisdom is not to be neglected. When wisdom is rejected love can be defined as anything.
“When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.” 1 Corinthians 2:13 NLT
Tip: Speak with God’s wisdom. Remember wisdom that comes from above…is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere (James 3:17).
What does love look like in this situation?
Recap…
A – Assess your Role Matthew 18:15-18
Is this relationship worth the risk or is worth cutting off?
C – Choose your Time 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Will this hurt me to confront?
T – Treat with Love 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
What does love look like in this situation?
Warning for False Teaching
So that’s How to Tell a False Teaching and what to do with a False Teacher. It’s a message packed with a lot. But I knew it was one that had to get out. It is not a message to give in the middle of a mess. But it is one to build a firm foundation with.
The problem with a message like this is that I’m only addressing one part of the tripart equation in all of this. Yes, it’s up to the speaker to prepare, but it’s never as important as what Holy Spirit speaks through what we offer and the same seed gets scattered on the the soil with weeds and the rocky soil and the good soil. We are personally responsible when we hear the message a teacher or Holy Spirit speaks to have receptive hearts.
Our Responsibility
Listen to what Paul told Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:2-5 (NLT) Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
What I’ve taught you—if you only partially apply it—will lead to justifying itching ears. Make sure you don’t have itching ears.
Be diligent. Be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11). ACT in love.
God will enable you to live a life worthy of his call and give you the power to accomplish all the good works your faith prompts you to do. So that the name of our Lord Jesus will be honoured because of the way you live, and you will be honoured along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ). He makes all things beautiful in their time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). He will finish the good work He’s started in you (Philippians 1:6).
You will learn to discern false teaching
Can I pray?
Pray for people of Issachar to rise up, understand the times and know what to do. Wisdom and grace to abound.
Next Step to Discern False Teaching…
Why we all need Discernment Today
We live in a world where we are drowning in information and starving for wisdom. It used to be if you could find it in a book you could quote it as fact. But facts have been replaced by opinion and now it’s the one who shouts the loudest and most often that define the truth of that opinion. But you and I were made to not conform but be transformed by the renewing on our minds. We should be like the people of Issachar who understood the times and knew what to do. Move from wondering about God's will to becoming a person of wisdom others look for answers from. Learn more at https://revtrev.link/discern
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