False Prophets and Teachers - By: Lisa Grant

When it comes to the Word of God, the Bible teaches us to stick to scripture. 

James 3:1 says;

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Teachers of Gods Word need a deep understanding and must cling to truth and what the Bible actually says; Not what they think or feel the Bible should say. Reading our Bible and knowing Gods Word allows us to discern between the Word of God and the word of man when we hear it.

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Ezekiel 13:33 

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!

God is very clear that we should check and double check what we hear as Gospel. This Bible study quotes scripture. How will we know if what we hear is Holy if we don't know the Word of God? His truth is in the Bible - 1 John 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.

Teachers of the Word will be judged by God more strictly because they have the ability to lead His people astray; even if by accident. Here Paul is setting the church straight on this issue. The church was being led astray by silver tonged "teachers" filling their heads with false doctrine and words written by men. Paul compares them to Satan:

2 Corinthians 11:4 & 13-15

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, 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 also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 

 Acts 20:29-30

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 

 Matthew 7:15-23

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Again, as we see below, this is a very serious issue to God - Jeremiah 23:25-26

I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?

If we aren't convinced that God does not like those who alter, twist, change, or deviate from His Word while they teach their own doctrine - calling it Gospel - we can continue our study of the Bible. How God feels about those who lead His people astray:

 2 Peter 2

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies... Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping... These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them

We are again warned to look out for false teaching. We must stay on guard because some false teachers don't even understand they are sinning in such a big way. So, even lifelong followers of Christ may give their ear to these innocent seeming persuasions. When someone claims to speak the Word of God, we should never forget to check Scripture to make sure what they are saying is Biblical and is truly from God.

Matthew 24:24;

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

This is a very serious matter - Jeremiah 14;

Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divination's, idolatries, and the delusions of their own minds.

In Jeremiah 27:15 God tells us what He thinks of people who listen to and encourage false teaching.

‘I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name.Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you

And Lastly, Can the blind lead the blind?  Matthew 15:8-9 & 14

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules." Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

May God Bless and keep you!