What Makes One A False Teacher???

[victoryword]

I found an interesting statement in the Overcomer Magazine, which has been reprinted online:

In the letter to the church at Ephesus (2:1-7), Christ praises them for many things. They have exposed false apostles, have endured hardships, and have persevered for His name. But He still has this one thing against them; they have forsaken their first love. Christ then exhorts them to remember the height from which they have fallen (2:5). Regardless of all their commendable activities, they have lost the freshness and vitality of their love for Christ.

This is a common problem in our day. Many are becoming increasingly aware of the “winds and waves of doctrine” that are floating all around. They have great concern for the large amount of false teachers and self-proclaimed apostles that seem to be appearing everywhere in the church. However it is a subtle step from standing for truth to suddenly being on a personal crusade where “doctrine” replaces the glorious Christ in our affections.

​

I agree (based on Scripture) that we can get so caught up and destroying those we think are false prophets and teachers that we forget "our first love." If you ask me, many of the so called "discernment Ministries" are guilty of this very thing.

Everything in the article doesn't pertain to this subject so I only cut and paste the portion that does. However, you can read this and other back issues on their webpage:

http://www.searchlight-missions.org/

 

[Starcrystal]

Victoryword,

I agree (based on Scripture) that we can get so caught up and destroying those we think are false prophets and teachers that we forget "our first love." If you ask me, many of the so called "discernment Ministries" are guilty of this very thing.

This is quite true. While it is important to expose false teachings, a lot of people go on tirades against individual ministers & Christians. It has caused Church splits and violates the numerous scriptures (Like 1 Corinthians 1:10, John 17:20 - 21, etc) which call us to unity. The first love issue is important. We can become legalistic and end up practicing dead religion and a set of rules, instead of walking in the Spirit...

 

[joevberry3]

Yeah, there are lots of faultfinders out there--especially people looking at every sermon by Word of Faith teachers, to get them on any little word or phrase they dont agree with. Look it up on web. We will find so many people finding fault in Word of Faith, but not very many standing up for Word of Faith.
God Bless

 

[Starcrystal]

joevberry3,
We will find so many people finding fault in Word of Faith, but not very many standing up for Word of Faith

Word of Faith has been abused a lot, mainly for greed. But Mark 11:22 - 24 is awesome! I learned its principal from Kenneth Haggins ministry the first year I was saved. I have seen things come to pass, miraculous things. I think a lot of churches take those teachings and begin to cater to self instead of bringing glory to God. They exalt "Faith" over God. But I agree, we can't deny the power of the word of Faith because its scriptural. What matters is whether or not we are doing it in Gods will, and delighting ourselves in the Lord first and foremost (Psalm 37)

 

[victoryword]

Starcrystal

You just found the KEY. The desire should always be for God's glory primarily. I was stating this very thing in my message this past Sunday in which I taught a series called "The Primary Key to Effective Prayer: Praying in Line with God's Word."

John 14:13-14 and several other passages allude to the fact that our key desire for answered prayer is not selfish motives, but God's glorification.

The "Word of Faith" works when motives are right.

 

[Starcrystal]

Victoryword,
The "Word of Faith" works when motives are right.

Exactly! Too many Christians, upon witnessing the abuse of word of faith, end up throwing out the baby with the bathwater, so to speak. They refuse to believe God for anything. They will always say, "If it be thy will Lord" ~ as if not sure if its Gods will or not. But Gods will is revealed in Scripture, and can also be revealed to us personally by Word of Knowledge or Prophecy. Then we can pray, "Lord, I KNOW this is your will, and I believe you to answer this prayer in Jesus name." We can pray with that confidence.

James 4:2 - 3 shows this principal, and also shows we can ask amiss for selfish reasons.
1 John 5:14 is also very important: "And this is the CONFIDENCE that we have in him, that, If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us, and if we know that he hears us, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
Romans 12:2 If we are not conformed to this world, but are transformed by the renewing of our minds, we may PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT, WILL OF GOD."

And we do know without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Thats the Word of faith in a nutshell I'd say. It's not complicated. The Scripture also gives us safeguards against its abuse.

 

[joevberry3]

Exactly! Too many Christians, upon witnessing the abuse of word of faith, end up throwing out the baby with the bathwater, so to speak. They refuse to believe God for anything. They will always say, "If it be thy will Lord" ~ as if not sure if its Gods will or not. But Gods will is revealed in Scripture, and can also be revealed to us personally by Word of Knowledge or Prophecy. Then we can pray, "Lord, I KNOW this is your will, and I believe you to answer this prayer in Jesus name." We can pray with that confidence.

James 4:2 - 3 shows this principal, and also shows we can ask amiss for selfish reasons.
1 John 5:14 is also very important: "And this is the CONFIDENCE that we have in him, that, If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us, and if we know that he hears us, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."
Romans 12:2 If we are not conformed to this world, but are transformed by the renewing of our minds, we may PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT, WILL OF GOD."

And we do know without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Thats the Word of faith in a nutshell I'd say. It's not complicated. The Scripture also gives us safeguards against its abuse.

Amen Sister!

 

[Jim B]

IMO, the false teacher is one who is not a believer. The Bible calls them WOLVES in sheep's clothing. ie they are not sheep, which the Bible distinguishes as believers.

Hence, I cannot understnd why Christians attack other Christians and label them as false prophets/teachers, when the ones they are attacking preach Jesus as Lord and Saviour too (eg the Copelands, Hagin, Hinn). They are simply biting and injuring their own body of Christ.

If one disagrees with doctrines (and we all disagree here and there, even within the same denoms) then simply say you disagree and acknowlege that you are not perfect in your doctrine either, but there's really no need to play self-appointed church policeman and label every other Christian you disagree with a false teacher.

Okay, I have a question, Andrew.

How about a believer (who happens to be a ... surprise, surprise ... televangelist) who intentionally twists the scripture to manipulate his audience to contribute to his ministry. He will frankly admit that he is playing fast-and-loose with scripture but, hey, he donates thousands of dollars to missionaries, children’s homes, etc. He is also, after decades of doing this, a millionaire whose personal gain was made through admitted dishonesty. But, he will remind you, he did bless some needy folk in the process.

The end, he believes, justifies the means (meanness). He’s serious. And he’s a believer. And you probably know his name.

I served on his association's board of directors for a number of years until I one day questioned his fund-raising techniques. I was then summarily and secretly removed from the board (much to my relief, although it did hurt my feelings at the time).

That was fifteen years ago. Today, he is viewed by hundreds of thousands every week, admired by thousands of Christians who empty their wallets based on his willful misinterpretations of scripture, is touted by the Christian Booksellers Association, his songs are sung in hundreds of churches, he is a member of the Gospel Music Association, is in demand by hundreds of churches, people turn to the Lord in his meetings, and he is the fair-haired boy of a particular Christian television network.

But he continues to willfully wrest the scripture for personal gain.

Is such a person a false teacher?

\o/

 

[Andry]

Uhh, Jim? Spock here. I detect a certain cynicism. You couldn't be more specific if you tried!

 

[vanshan]

I think a false teacher, is simlpy anyone who takes scriptures hostage, good intentioned or not, to teach something that completely goes against what Christ and his followers have always taught. Example: Many of our Word/Charismatic congregations rarely or never practice communion, which was always central to worshipping Christ. Also an unhealthy overstatment of the scriptures on healing and prosperity, while ignoring all the scriptures that tell us we will suffer as Christ suffered (there are as many verses that teach us this as ones that suggest we are to have abundant blessings -- the truth is somewhere between these two).

Sometimes we mistake adrenaline for a move of the Spirit - - trust me I've fallen victim to that dillusion. I attended ORU, and while it was a good school, many people put emotion above all else, ignoring some verses in the Bible and not really searching for a true understanding of God. I eventually had to admit many things I believed were wrong and I started to embrace Christ in a deeper way than ever before in the Orthodox Church.

 

[Jim B]

Uhh, Jim? Spock here. I detect a certain cynicism. You couldn't be more specific if you tried!

Cynical? Hmmmm. Maybe, but I hope not.

But even if I am, the question deserves an answer since the practice is more common than you may think. The only thing PTL taught televangelist fundraisers is how to be more subtle (i.e., less flagrant) in their fundraising techniques but the practice is more common today than it was before the demise of PTL and JS almost two decades ago.

I have been exposed to these guys (up close and personal) long enough to catch a disease. And you’re right, Mr. A, just hanging around them is enough to make a cynic out of Mother Teresa.

But the question is: Is a believer/teacher who intentionally (knowingly, willfully, deliberately, calculatedly, purposely) twists the scripture to suit his/her own selfish ends a "false" teacher? If not, then what kind of teacher is he/she?

\o/

 

[He put me back together]

And as for false teachers, brethren, I would not have you ignorant: for any man who says not what He put me back together says, the same is a false teacher, and a false prophet.

--1 Pet 7:52

 

[Jim B]

And as for false teachers, brethren, I would not have you ignorant: for any man who says not what He put me back together says, the same is a false teacher, and a false prophet.

--1 Pet 7:52

What?!?

There is no such scripture.

And there is not seven chapters in either of Peter's epsitles, nor are there 52 verses in any of his chapters.

Are we writing our own scriptures now?

\o/

 

[victoryword]

Jim B

HPMBT was using humor.

 

[Jim B]

Jim B

HPMBT was using humor.

Oh!!

Duh!!



Sorry HPMBT.

\o/

 

[Andry]

Cynical? Hmmmm. Maybe, but I hope not.

But even if I am, the question deserves an answer since the practice is more common than you may think. The only thing PTL taught televangelist fundraisers is how to be more subtle (i.e., less flagrant) in their fundraising techniques but the practice is more common today than it was before the demise of PTL and JS almost two decades ago.

I have been exposed to these guys (up close and personal) long enough to catch a disease. And you’re right, Mr. A, just hanging around them is enough to make a cynic out of Mother Teresa.

But the question is: Is a believer/teacher who intentionally (knowingly, willfully, deliberately, calculatedly, purposely) twists the scripture to suit his/her own selfish ends a "false" teacher? If not, then what kind of teacher is he/she?

\o/

Jim, my simple answer is yes, as you described it (and without naming names),they would be categorized as 'false' teachers.

But my long answer is unfortunately just that - long. It's from a different thread that I posted in, but nonetheless I think you can see how this relates to your question.

Given the choice in friendship between Judas Iscariot or Simon Peter, which one would you choose?

Now which one of those two men, helped Jesus the most, to fulfill his destiny? Which one of those two men, would have prevented Jesus from fulfilling his destiny? That’s interesting isn’t it? And yet clearly Judas, assisted Jesus to fulfill his destiny, while Peter, was an opposition and an obstacle to the completion of Jesus’ destiny in the earth.

John 6:70-71 says these words, ‘Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil’. 71(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) NIV

Do you think that Jesus choosing Judas was a mistake? That Jesus in some hair-brained moment of madness and unconstraint, suddenly thought, ‘I’ll choose that guy to be part of the twelve?’ Or did Jesus choose Judas in full understanding that Judas would betray him, and that it was the purposes of God to choose Judas. That’s very interesting isn’t it? How many would agree that in order to do that you would have to be thinking on a slightly higher level than most of us think?

The problem of the church in that we do not fulfill our destiny is because we’re not thinking on a high enough level. We’re thinking so much in the natural and not enough on the revelation of the Holy Ghost for the purpose of God for our lives. And we do not understand the things that contribute to the fulfilling of our destiny.

I mean really, which brain-dead idiot would ever make a thief, the treasurer of an organization? Makes you think doesn’t it? So do you think that Jesus didn’t know that he was a thief? That Jesus’ ministry was just about wild guesses, so unfortunately you win some you lose some. Or do you think that Jesus was enough in touch with the Father, to not only know the twelve that He was suppose to choose as part of His life, and the situations that He was suppose to get Himself in, but also who was to be the treasurer of the group. And God says, ‘Choose that thief, Judas.’ Of course we’d all do that as God spoke it. ‘Lord, thank you for your word. We’ll receive it, we’ll do that, we’re obedient.’ Or, ‘get thee behind me’, satan – one of the two. It’s one of those two responses.

There are a couple of things at work here; a higher level of thinking, a higher dimension of understanding. Jesus figures, ‘I’m going to show these boys, that no thief, no matter how close they are to me, can ever steal more from me, than I need to complete everything that I need to do. So if he steals half of everything that comes into the bag, then twice as much will come into the bag.’ So I can actually have a thief working hand in hand with me, in line with my destiny and goal, and I don’t need to get rid of him – he’s actually helping me – to prove and show the purposes of God.

But you see we have come to an understanding of thinking on a higher level in our lives, ‘that nothing shall by any means hurt you.’ (Luke 10:19) But you see, we read it but we don’t actually believe it. So we can’t accommodate a Judas in our lives, cause we see how Judas betrays, and think, that man is going to spoil my destiny. No, he’s probably going to help your destiny. That the things you thought that you have to get rid of are probably the greatest help in your life, right now, to bring you where you need to be in God. .

Matt 27:3-5
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."

"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. NIV

Guess who took care of Judas? Judas. Jesus did not have to concern himself with the resolution of the matter, even though the matter was serious. Because Jesus was confident of the purposes of God on his own life, to the extent where he realized that his battle was not to wrestle against Judas because even if Judas betrayed him, Judas would take care of himself.

The Judas situations in our lives, if we allow them to run their course and do not interfere, will always hang themselves. It would never go on beyond the purpose that they are there for. How many other lives did Judas managed to mess up? You see when that situation of Judas had run its course and fulfilled its purpose, then Judas went and hung himself; Jesus did not have to worry about that matter being resolved and concluded.

 

[Starcrystal]

Joevberry3,

Amen Sister!

Um, thank you, but please observe the gender icon

LisaStar is the sister. I'm the brother.

Don't worry its a common mistake, happens quite a bit.