False Doctrine

[Georges]

Georges teachings fall right in line with the OP as false doctrine. Study the article carefully, and compare with Georges false teachings.

Again I repeat...with the most important point highlighted...and in bold print.

Here is what is wrong with your whole theolgy.

You are using Paul to test and prove the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles....and it shoud be the other way around.... because Paul doesn't quote Jesus (I don't think, correct me if I'm mistaken) nor, does he expound on any of Jesus' teachings.

Just like a good Berean, you should be using the Torah, The Prophets, Jesus, James and John to prove Paul correct....you have it backwards..

You are using the verses of an "alledged (for the mods)" false prophet as the guideline for exposing false doctrine? Bizarro world....

Solo, who do you think Jude (the brother of James) was writing about...hint....name starts with P and ends with "aul"(allegedly, for the mods).

I put the challenge to you to let me send you the pdf that proves convincingly what I've presented....quit dragging your feet and give me the permission...at least read it to prove me wrong....I will extend the same challenge to you personally as I did to Unredtypo...if you will read the pdf (honestly), I will quit hounding Paul and go back to the prophecy forum...

Still you haven't accepted my challenge....Solo, I would think you'd be chomping at the bit to get rid of me....take the challenge...

 

[Solo]

Georges teachings fall right in line with the OP as false doctrine. Study the article carefully, and compare with Georges false teachings.

Again I repeat...with the most important point highlighted...and in bold print.

Here is what is wrong with your whole theolgy.

You are using Paul to test and prove the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles....and it shoud be the other way around.... because Paul doesn't quote Jesus (I don't think, correct me if I'm mistaken) nor, does he expound on any of Jesus' teachings.

Just like a good Berean, you should be using the Torah, The Prophets, Jesus, James and John to prove Paul correct....you have it backwards..

You are using the verses of an "alledged (for the mods)" false prophet as the guideline for exposing false doctrine? Bizarro world....

Solo, who do you think Jude (the brother of James) was writing about...hint....name starts with P and ends with "aul"(allegedly, for the mods).

I put the challenge to you to let me send you the pdf that proves convincingly what I've presented....quit dragging your feet and give me the permission...at least read it to prove me wrong....I will extend the same challenge to you personally as I did to Unredtypo...if you will read the pdf (honestly), I will quit hounding Paul and go back to the prophecy forum...

Still you haven't accepted my challenge....Solo, I would think you'd be chomping at the bit to get rid of me....take the challenge...

Man doesn't live on the words of a false teacher, but on every word from the mouth of God.

 

[Georges]

Georges teachings fall right in line with the OP as false doctrine. Study the article carefully, and compare with Georges false teachings.

Again I repeat...with the most important point highlighted...and in bold print.

Here is what is wrong with your whole theolgy.

You are using Paul to test and prove the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles....and it shoud be the other way around.... because Paul doesn't quote Jesus (I don't think, correct me if I'm mistaken) nor, does he expound on any of Jesus' teachings.

Just like a good Berean, you should be using the Torah, The Prophets, Jesus, James and John to prove Paul correct....you have it backwards..

You are using the verses of an "alledged (for the mods)" false prophet as the guideline for exposing false doctrine? Bizarro world....

Solo, who do you think Jude (the brother of James) was writing about...hint....name starts with P and ends with "aul"(allegedly, for the mods).

I put the challenge to you to let me send you the pdf that proves convincingly what I've presented....quit dragging your feet and give me the permission...at least read it to prove me wrong....I will extend the same challenge to you personally as I did to Unredtypo...if you will read the pdf (honestly), I will quit hounding Paul and go back to the prophecy forum...

Still you haven't accepted my challenge....Solo, I would think you'd be chomping at the bit to get rid of me....take the challenge...

Man doesn't live on the words of a false teacher, but on every word from the mouth of God.

Yet you are stringently defending the teachings of an (alleged) false teacher...

Solo, still haven't seen you homme up to the challenge....I'm beginning to think you aren't as confident as you appear to be....many of your intellectual comrades have requested it....how come you haven't?

 

[Solo]

Yet you are stringently defending the teachings of an (alleged) false teacher...

Solo, still haven't seen you homme up to the challenge....I'm beginning to think you aren't as confident as you appear to be....many of your intellectual comrades have requested it....how come you haven't?

I have better things to do than to read the texts of a false teacher. You are lost, and are blind to the deception. You have never been born again, and you will pay the penalty for your own sins, just as the Pharisees did. When you decide to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ, you will thank all of those who tried to tell you that you were in error.

As I stated before, "Man doesn't live on the words of a false teacher, but on every word from the mouth of God".

PS I am very confident Jesus Christ and His Word. I know you and those like you. I would cast you into the lake of fire myself for each one that you lead astray, but vengence is God's duty, not mine; he will do a much better job than I. I fear nothing of yours or your fathers.

 

[Georges]

Oh well....I tried....Good luck to you Solo.....

The mods rule...can't prove me wrong....but they rule.... :D

 

[Solo]

Oh well....I tried....Good luck to you Solo.....

The mods rule...can't prove me wrong....but they rule.... :D

You have proved yourself wrong, and it is too bad.

 

[Georges]

Oh well....I tried....Good luck to you Solo.....

The mods rule...can't prove me wrong....but they rule.... :D

You have proved yourself wrong, and it is too bad.

Sorry my friend, but you were schooled...just not smart enough to have figured it out....You lose because the mods keep pulling the rug out...none of the posts I've presented have been untrue...and the rug was pulled because they can't refute it....You lose because of that.....

Wow...that's the harshest I've ever been on a forum....gotta say it don't feel to good...I was hoping to convince you with reason and logic....but you will have neither...You couldn't even accept a parting Good Luck...gracefully....

 

[unred typo]

Solo wrote:When you decide to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ, you will thank all of those who tried to tell you that you were in error.

I doubt anyone would ever thank those who through their hateful comments and unloving attitudes provoked anger and resentment in those they were supposedly trying to witness to, pushing them further from the truth, if indeed they even knew what truth was. That’s why I have to bite my tongue when writing to you, Solo. George and I may not agree, but his heart is in the right place and the Lord will receive and correct those who error while sincerely trying to please him. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

 

[Solo]

Solo wrote:When you decide to accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ, you will thank all of those who tried to tell you that you were in error.

I doubt anyone would ever thank those who through their hateful comments and unloving attitudes provoked anger and resentment in those they were supposedly trying to witness to, pushing them further from the truth, if indeed they even knew what truth was. That’s why I have to bite my tongue when writing to you, Solo. George and I may not agree, but his heart is in the right place and the Lord will receive and correct those who error while sincerely trying to please him. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Thanks for the love, unred.

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 2 Timothy 3:1-9

 

[unred typo]

Solo wrote:Thanks for the love, unred.

I’m trying, Solo. You bring out the worst in me and then I try to remember that verse in 2 Timothy 2:25 and you don’t get the blasting I think you deserve. When I’m wrrronng, I appreciate a good blasting to set me straight. James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. So if you consider that those that disagree with you are taking the effort to correct and admonish you for your own good, it isn’t hard to love them even if you don’t agree. When you feel that they would take some twisted pleasure in tossing you into hell themselves, it doesn’t come as easy. But Jesus said to even love our enemies, so I do love you, Solo. :-D I just don’t love the way you act or the way you preach error in the name of Christ.
:roll:

 

[JustifiedByFaith]

To everyone...

Are false doctrine, and the spirit of the antichrist one in the same?

The reason I ask, is because I thought false doctrine can still contain the Gospel to some degree, while the spirit of the antichrist preaches another Gospel altogether. Many lies have a little truth mixed in. This is one of Satans greatest hook, line and sinkers.

The Lord bless you

Dear lovely,

All lies originate from Satan. Jesus said he is the father of lies. False doctrine is not of Christ, therefore the only other option is Satan.

 

[lovely]

Thess, and Justified,

I agree that it is from satan, the father of lies, but I am thinking that they are treated differently in Scripture.

False doctrine can be error, but also can contain truth of the Gospel. It is not an error unto death. Some trust Christ in this, and then leave for another teaching that is more aligned with Scripture. I guess I am referring to "in house debates". Perhaps end times beliefs, baptism, free will verses called, etc.

Then, you have the spirit of the antichrist, which is error that leads to unbelief in truth that is unto salvation...John says these will not believe that the Son of God is come in the flesh.

Anyone else see this distinction?

The Lord bless you.

Does anyone else see a difference in this respect?

 

[Solo]

Solo wrote:Thanks for the love, unred.

I’m trying, Solo. You bring out the worst in me and then I try to remember that verse in 2 Timothy 2:25 and you don’t get the blasting I think you deserve. When I’m wrrronng, I appreciate a good blasting to set me straight. James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. So if you consider that those that disagree with you are taking the effort to correct and admonish you for your own good, it isn’t hard to love them even if you don’t agree. When you feel that they would take some twisted pleasure in tossing you into hell themselves, it doesn’t come as easy. But Jesus said to even love our enemies, so I do love you, Solo. :-D I just don’t love the way you act or the way you preach error in the name of Christ.
:roll:

When you understand the false teachers and their father, who is out to destroy whom he can, then you may truly understand what the love of God is. Until you will stand up against the lies and deceptions of the enemy, you do not operate within the love of God towards those whom the enemy is destroying.

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 11 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15


Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:11

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:24

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2 Timothy 4:3

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

 

[Imagican]

Thess, and Justified,

I agree that it is from satan, the father of lies, but I am thinking that they are treated differently in Scripture.

False doctrine can be error, but also can contain truth of the Gospel. It is not an error unto death. Some trust Christ in this, and then leave for another teaching that is more aligned with Scripture. I guess I am referring to "in house debates". Perhaps end times beliefs, baptism, free will verses called, etc.

Then, you have the spirit of the antichrist, which is error that leads to unbelief in truth that is unto salvation...John says these will not believe that the Son of God is come in the flesh.

Anyone else see this distinction?

The Lord bless you.

Does anyone else see a difference in this respect?

Absolutely lovely,

But 'what' exactly does this ACTUALLY mean. 'Trinitarians' have TOLD me that it means that I MUST accept that God CAME in the 'flesh' as a man. Yet the scripture PLAINLY states it's intent. So, what if your doctrine DOES deny that Christ, The Son of God, came in the flesh, yet it IS literal and God did NOT come in the 'flesh' AS Christ. Wouldn't 'this' be the EXACT purpose behind the scripture stating that those that deny that; 'The Son of God has come in the flesh' have committed an UNFORGIVABLE sin. And IF Christ IS NOT GOD HIMSELF, wouldn't it LITERALLY be considered spiritual adultery to God to take His Son and 'turn' Him into God Himself, IF He isn't?

Not accusing, simply offering a 'little food for thought'.

What we 'see' here is that a 'little bit' of 'truth' is almost ALWAYS used by Satan to draw a crowd. Sometimes what he uses is NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, simply distorted a tiny bit. So, false doctrine CAN be 'deadly' and the MOST dangerous 'false doctrine' is that which is SO CLOSE to the 'truth', that EVEN the VERY ELECT are capable of being 'tricked' into following false gods, (Satan).

That is why I believe that following the 'doctrines' of men IS so dangerous. For I KNOW that we are capable of developing a personal relationship with God WITHOUT all the 'man-made' ritual concerning doctrine. And IF one simply allows themselves to learn exactly WHAT God wants for us and follows THAT with all their heart and faith, they WILL fair MUCH better than trying to become the 'good' Christian that 'man-made' doctrine would teach.

Look, the BEST Christian is the one who forsakes ALL for others OUT OF LOVE. We HAVE the example. Now, is there ANY doubt when we read The Word that this IS EXACTLY what God wants for US. LOVE folks. NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS. Love for HIM, and love for each other. Forsaking self for the SAKE of love of others. SIMPLE really. NO, not to practice, but it's simple to have a PERFECT understanding of THIS.

MEC

 

[unred typo]

Imagician wrote:Look, the BEST Christian is the one who forsakes ALL for others OUT OF LOVE. We HAVE the example. Now, is there ANY doubt when we read The Word that this IS EXACTLY what God wants for US. LOVE folks. NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS. Love for HIM, and love for each other. Forsaking self for the SAKE of love of others. SIMPLE really. NO, not to practice, but it's simple to have a PERFECT understanding of THIS.

Amen to that. Simple enough to explain with just actions, not saying a word.

 

[lovely]

Imagican,

It is only by God's grace that I come to Him. This is my life, and it consumes every part of me, down to my dreams at night. It is my firm belief that a doctrine of man is not what lives in me. Whatever it has cost me in my life to follow Christ is nothing at all, and I dedicated all that I have, that He has given to me, right back to Him a long time ago. I'm just passing through, now. Even my obedience is Him, because He first loved me. I am not a theologian, or scholar, and far from the best Christian...I can't even think along those lines, to be honest. I am just face down before Him, and I trust the Spirit to guide me in my walk, as I walk it out with fear and trembling. I trust the Spirit to teach me from His Holy Word, and this brings me confidance in who He is, and in His promises to me. The love that is in me is only of God, and it flows to others...I do not force it...it gushes from the Spirit in me, and is nothing of myself. All my mind, my affection, and my life are immersed in Him. I am thankful for this, and I am alive only because of Him. This is my sincere testimony, because it pours from my grateful heart. If the implication by some is that I am not a believer because I hold certain beliefs, or that I am unloving, then I can do nothing different than count on God's mercy, and leading, and be prayerful that He allows me to continue to seek Him while I live. It is not the approval of others I want, and I can not force others to believe that which only the Spirit has taught me, but I share the Truth of it every chance I get. I write, speak, and live in His love...boldly...because I trust His Truth in me, and not myself. Even in my disagreement, and in midst of the disapproval of others, be it my brothers and sisters, or those who hold no belief at all, I will live by Him and not be ashamed no matter who says, or thinks, they know better than I who it is I follow. I thank you for your food for thought, but I will continue to feast on every word that proceeds from the Father....The Bread of Life. The Lord bless you.

 

[Solo]

RECOGNIZING FALSE TEACHINGS
A Seldom Taught Aspect of Spiritual Warfare
January 1, 2000

"And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." Ezekiel 44:23

By Greg DesVoignes

One of the least paid attention to parts of prophecy are those which have to do with false teachers and doctrine. Now since this is an important part of spiritual warfare, this is disturbing. Although, as in the above verse and others, God's instructions to the priest's of His word, are to teach the people so that they can discern between the truth of God and that which is not of Him, the philosophies of non judgementalism, non negativism, divisiveness, non offensive teachings, do not touch God's anointed, political correctness, and being culturally relevant are superseding these instructions.

Is there a need to teach the difference between the holy and profane in these days? Yes. I have yet to give classes or seminars in which I have not found Christians to be involved in following New Age/occult practices, or have wanted to know how they can reach their friends or family members who are involved in the occult or are in cults. It is also interesting that I have not taught to a group of people in which many were even surprised that there were even false teachings being taught in churches today, or shocked that an esteemed person or organization was involved in teaching doctrines not of God.

The thought has been that this only applied to Mormonism, the Jehovah Witnesses, and other such organizations. This only partially true. Let's examine some scripture and see why, and learn what God says concerning false doctrines.


BELIEVING WARNINGS

A real problem we have today is listening to or heeding warnings of all kinds. This is also true when it comes to prophetical warnings found in the Word of God. So before we continue, let's establish first what God said concerning false teachers and false doctrine. God gave us warnings concerning false teachers and doctrine and the devastating effect they would have.

First, Paul warned
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Timothy 4:1

He also noted in 2 Thessalonians 2 that a falling away would precede the coming of the anti Christ. So, the Spirit of God made a point of telling us that due to people listening to seducing spirits and false doctrines, some who have faith in God would place it in something else. This falling away will make it that much easier for the entrance and acceptance of the soon coming anti Christ. How can this happen? Consider the following warnings from Jesus.

"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat and went away. But when the wheat sprang up and bore grain, the tares became evident also." Matthew 13:24-26

Jesus was warning that while the church was not paying attention, not alert, Satan would come and plant non-Christians within the church. It is interesting to note that at the time the wheat [the church] began to mature and bear, the tares [those planted by Satan] also became known. We are in that time, and the false can be seen.

Paul gets a little more specific when he said
"...there will be also false prophets among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their sensuality; and because of them the truth will be maligned." 2 Peter 2:1-3

Speaking of one of the signs of His coming Jesus said,
"See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name saying, 'I am the Christ', and will mislead many... For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." Matthew 24:4,5,24,25

Now we not only have a warning but a command that we are to see to it that we are not deceived. In other words, we have a responsibility. So far it should be evident that God's word has established that [1] false teachers will come with false doctrines, [2] people will ignore the warnings, [3] they will follow false doctrines, [4] the deceptions would do damage to the truth, [5] some will turn away from faith in God to relying on other things. Do we dare to ignore this any more?

Since these things are prophetical fact, how can we recognize false doctrines and those who teach them?


DISCERNING FALSEHOODS

The Word of God not only provides the warnings and the commands concerning deception, it also provides the way to discerning between what is true and what is false. We can get some immediate ground level insight by looking into Exodus 25.

In Exodus 25 we find Moses on Mt. Sinai in the presence of God. God told Moses that he wanted to dwell among His people. He instructed Moses to build a tabernacle so that he could dwell among them. God told Moses what materials to gather that were going to be used in the building of this tabernacle. He then said,

"According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall construct it." Exodus 25:9

Now the materials, the construction, design, and instructions were a foreshadow of Jesus and the church, having the same purpose; that God may dwell among His people. Now since the tabernacle was to be built according to the plan, pattern, materials, and instructions from God's Word, how is the church [individual believers, and the body as a whole] to be built? According to God's Word.

Jesus confirms this by saying
"...and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." Matthew 16:18

Jesus was not referring to Peter as the rock, but Himself. Since He is the rock, the church [which is His, and His plan] the church is to be built upon His living Word. This brings us to the next aspect.

"You shall not add to the word which I am commanding, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandment of the Lord... You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him, and you shall keep his commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." Deuteronomy 4:2; 13:4

Now we see that the church [which belongs to Jesus] is not only supposed to be built according to His Word, but that we are not supposed to add our own philosophies, plans, doctrines, nor are we to omit any part of God's plans. It is His voice, the voice we see in His words we are to follow. The Word of God is the standard by which we grow, change, learn to know God, and the plum line by which we can tell the truth from the false.

So, number one, false doctrines will not be found in the Word of God, but are the additions or omissions by man following a voice other than God's. And, by knowing the Word, you will be able to discern that which is false. Jesus said,

"...he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice. And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10: 4,5

The lesson? If it is not in the Word, it should not be used in the church, and the more familiar you are with the voice of Jesus the more you can recognize something different. In fact God's people will not only not follow something strange from the Word, they will flee from the ones speaking it.

SEEING FALSE TEACHERS


Now, false doctrine needs, for the most part but not always, a false teacher to spread it. There are those who are in error that can teach a false doctrine, but are not necessarily "false teachers". None of us are immune from the chance of being deceived, and could end up involved in some sort of error filled doctrine. But what can be done to recognize a false teacher? Jesus gave us several indications.

First,
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." Matthew 7:16

Since we are depicted as the sheep of Jesus, by this verse we can see that they will appear to be followers of God. This can make them hard to recognize on the outside. But, their purpose, like a wolf, is to devour the flock of God. In John 10:1-5 Jesus tells us that they attempt to enter the kingdom by some way other than through Jesus. Then Paul goes on to say that they will,

"...secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them." 2 Peter 2:1

Let's see; they look like one of us, and they bring in things that oppose God's word mixed beside some truth. Sounds like it might be difficult to discern. This is a reason to not get caught up with being so impressed with people, organizations, or movements. We can end up following these instead of the voice of God; even if they are putting out false doctrine. The impressiveness or goodness of a person, organization, or movement can blind us. We need to learn to separate what is being taught from these things.

I have discovered some interesting reactions while giving classes on false doctrine. With some, if I mentioned that a particular person was teaching falsehood, offense was taken because they respected that person. However, during one class I read some quotes by several popular preachers who teach error, without giving their names. Then I asked the class to tell me if what these teachers were saying was of God, and if not, why?

Many in the class had no problem in discerning that what I read was false doctrine, and gave scriptural basis for their reasoning. Then the class wanted to know who was teaching these false doctrines. Each time I gave a name there were audible gasps from many in this large class. Many in the class had followed and respected some. But now by their own objective scrutinizing, apart from the personality or organization, saw beyond what they were impressed by. The lesson? Be objective.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR


What are some things to look for? In Matthew 7 Jesus said,

"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree product good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then you will know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16-20

Now this does not mean that if a teaching works or does some good that it is from God. Satan has power also, and he uses it as bait to deceive; even to do, that which initially appears to have good results. For instance God warned in Deuteronomy 13: 1-3

"If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them', you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

So, do not confuse miracles, good sounding "philosophies", or religious experiences with good fruit. Good fruit comes from one who teaches the Word of God. Paul also warned in 2 Timothy 3:8 that there would be false teachers like Jannes and Jambres, two sorcerers who used occult means in an attempt to duplicate the power of God, but oppose the truth.

The lesson? If something works, or appears to have good results, make sure basis for it can be found in the Word. False teachings will not stand up to the Word of God.

Distortions Of The Truth


Do you know the gospel of Christ? So did the Galations, but they had the same problem we have today, which brings us to another aspect of false teachings. Paul said to them,

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel, which is really not another, only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ." Galations 1:6-7

Paul was quite mad at the Galations. They had allowed a teaching to come in that substituted the work of Jesus, grace and faith, for works. It was a classic case of distorting the word by adding to it and taking away from it. We can see some of this in Robert Funks "Jesus Seminars", in which over 100 "theologians" [but not Christians by their fruits] are preaching a different gospel of Christ as to whom he really is and what they say he said or did not do. Their doctrine fits the New Age version of Jesus.

The lesson? Although false teachings utilize the word of God, they twist it in such a fashion as to actually deny Christ and oppose His work and truth. This brings us to the next aspect of recognition.

Is It In The Word?


"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teachings of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teachings, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." 2 John 1:9-11

And Isaiah said,
"To the law and to the testimony; if they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn." Isaiah 8:20

This is pretty black and white. There are a few things we need to pay close attention to here. First, false doctrines go beyond the teachings found in the Word. The word may be taught, but also teachings beyond the 66 books of the Bible. A teacher of God will stay in the Word, and bring the teachings of Christ to you. But today we have some excuses to not follow the rest of 2 John concerning our response to those who do not keep within the teachings of Christ.

When it comes to books by authors and preachers that are full of false teachings, I hear such phrases by those who utilize these books like, "We just utilize the meat and throw away the bones". Many times these heretical filled books are recommended to church members, or their meat is quoted over the pulpit, the author acknowledged.

But wait a minute! Didn't God's word just tell us that those who go beyond the teachings of Christ and do not bring his truth and do not have any dawn [light]? And didn't we just read that we are not to acknowledge them, and by doing so we participate in their heresy? To use them is to acknowledge.

The lesson? False doctrines are not found in the word, but go beyond that which Jesus taught, and we are not to acknowledge these at all.

How do these teachings go beyond the teachings of Christ? Where do they come from that will give us further ability to recognize them?

Where The Teachings Come From


"They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." 1 John 4:5-6

Ah! False teachings are teachings of a worldview, and are something the world or worldly-minded will listen to. Probably pretty non-offensive, culturally relevant stuff. Like what kind of stuff from the world? What are some of these teachings of the world?

Paul gives us some insight when he warned,
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." Colossians 2:8

The lesson? False doctrines come in the form of the philosophies, the principles of the world, and the world traditions, and are in opposition to Christ, and they are captivating.

What are some examples? Look how today the church has incorporated psychology, sociology, mythology, marketing, drama, and modernism, along side and in place of the teachings and the power of Christ. These things are not only from the world, but are they not also going beyond the teachings of Christ?

THEIR SUCCESS FORMULA


We are much to blame for the success of these false doctrines. Why is this so?

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires and will turn their ears from truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

"An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; And My people love it so!" Jeremiah 5:30-31

We are drawn to these false teachings! This is because they appeal to the desires of flesh and play upon our senses and our emotions. In fact, 2 Peter 2 tells us that false teachers "...entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality." This can include, power, success, notoriety, money, experiences of a metaphysical nature or those that arouse and manipulate our emotions, and even our needs.

The other problem we have is the distortion of scripture, which has to do with "judgment", and "divisiveness". Those who point out heresy and expose false teachings and teachers are accused of being negative and causing division, in defense of the false teachings and those who teach them.

We see this same problem existed long ago when we look at a conversation between apostate king Ahab and Elijah. Because Elijah was speaking out against the false doctrines and techniques that were integrated by Ahab and his myth and occult following wife Jezebel, Ahab called him a "troubler of Israel". In actuality it was the integration of the false teachings that were causing the problem [like today]. Elijah told Ahab what needs to be said today;

"I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and you have followed the Baals." 1 Kings 18:18

The funny thing is that those who get mad, do not address the issues of the false teachings, but can only make statements that these people are judgmental, negative, and divisive. They are not objective. But what does the Word tell us?

"For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers... who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain." Titus 1:10-11

"And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them... But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light..." Ephesians 5:12,13

Our main problem is that we do not know the Word of God. In order to be able to see the lies, we must first know what the truth is. That means listening to 66 witnesses of the truth. For it is the light that exposes.

Too many people ignore many books in the Bible, including the entire Old Testament. Too many people spend more time reading books instead of "the" book. There are many more verses concerning false doctrines, but it would take up more space than we have here. Several years ago I tried to write a small pamphlet that would contain scripture on how to recognize false teachers and doctrine. One year later I had a 250-page manuscript. I realized the solution is to know the word of God. Follow God's plan. The bottom line is; if you do not know the word, you just may be led astray, or could be now.

"But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate [complete], equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:13-17


Satan's Tactics Of Deception

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made."Genesis 3:1

Satan is a formidable adversary and all deception and false teachings originated from him. Although he is extremely crafty, he is also predictable. His tactics for deception do not change; only the packaging. By looking into his basic tactics we can learn how this enemy attempts to deceive us into following him instead of God.

The first encounter of how his deception works is to look is found in a conversation he had with Eve. We can learn much by studying this scenario.

THE SETUP

"And he said to the woman, 'Indeed, has God said, "You shall not eat from any tree of the garden"'." Genesis 3:1

Now there are two things to note here. First, Satan is challenging the validity of God's word; "Did God really say that? Is His word really true?". Next we find that he purposely misquotes and twisted what God said and causes confusion because "indeed" God did not say what Satan quoted.

The key word to look at is the word "any". Did God tell Adam & Eve they could not eat from any tree? Looking back at Genesis 2:16-17 we find that God said, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die." So, Satan will use the word of God, but twist it so he can set us up to accept his doctrine.

Now we find an obviously confused Eve responding to the distortion by saying, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die'." Eve is really setting herself up now because she also has misquoted God by saying if they "touched" the fruit they would die. God did not say that, but if they ate the fruit. She now opens the door to more deception because she shows she really did not know what God said.

TEARING DOWN TRUTH


So Satan follows by saying, "You surely shall not die!"

There are a few things we can see in this. First, Satan's doctrine will contradict the Word of God. Second, He is saying God's Word is not true, and third, saying there are no consequences for ignoring God's command.

Now that Satan has distorted God's Word, contradicted it, placed doubt in Eve's mind, he is able to inject his own philosophies, as he does with us.

SOMETHING NEW: BAIT

Now that Satan had broken Eve down, it was time for the bait;
"For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God."

Here we can see the ultimate deception. There is something hidden that God knows will give you enlightenment and realization that you can be like God; i.e. realization of the so-called god within. The other lie is in the statement that you can be like God. There are many verses in Isaiah 44-47 that says there are none like Him, and there would be none. But this new thinking looked good!

It even looks good today. Not only are those in the New Age saying it, so are some of those who are popular Television preachers such as Kenneth Copeland. It is also and underlying aspect to the current "revivals", Dominion/Kingdom Theologies and others.

"When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate..."

Satan's doctrine; [1] looks like it will be beneficial, [2] is attractive to our flesh, [3] and can give some sort of metaphysical knowledge. It ends up replacing some aspect of God's word

BEATING DECEPTION


For more insight into Satan's tactics, look at Luke 4:1-13. We can learn from these verses that he uses the things of the world to tempt us as he did Jesus. Things such as gaining possessions and power. We also see in verse 10 that Satan also uses the word of God, but out of context. For instance Satan told Jesus to throw himself off the pinnacle of the temple citing Psalm 91:11,12 saying, "For it is written, 'He will give His angles charge concerning you to guard you' and 'On their hands they will bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone'."

Now, did God say these things? Yes, but Satan conveniently left out part of verse 11 in an attempt to make God's Word fit his own purpose. That omitted part was, "to guard you in all your ways", including guarding from deception and temptation. Plus, note Jesus’ responses.

"It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test'."

Jesus was using the Word of God [ "It is written", "It is said"] to combat the temptations and attempted deceptions of Satan. This tells us how important it is to know the entire Word. Because Satan will use it, but targeting specific verses out of context and omitting words from them. Watch for these things. For all of these tactics are used in covertly introducing false doctrines into the church.

Some of you may say, "But I can't remember everything the Bible says!". True, but Jesus made a provision, saying;

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive... But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:15-17, 26

Will you be able to say, "Wait a minute; that does not sound like something I read in the Bible? Now, consider this; If you have not read what Jesus said, what can the Holy Spirit bring remembrance of? We live in times where we cannot afford to be lax in this; because there are many false teachers, apostles, prophets and doctrines in the church today.


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[Vic C.]

9 - Please keep posts down to a respectable length and provide source and/or links for your info. We want to respect copyrighted material. Plus, you stand a better chance of getting your post read if it contains a link with an excerpt from source that's relative to your point.
Refrain from all caps and bold, large fonts. Hotlinking of photos is PROHIBITED! We have a thread which explains how to post a photo.

 

[Solo]

9 - Please keep posts down to a respectable length and provide source and/or links for your info. We want to respect copyrighted material. Plus, you stand a better chance of getting your post read if it contains a link with an excerpt from source that's relative to your point.
Refrain from all caps and bold, large fonts. Hotlinking of photos is PROHIBITED! We have a thread which explains how to post a photo.

Did you miss this:

Retrieved from http://www.crmspokane.org/recognizing.htm

 

[Vic C.]

9 - Please keep posts down to a respectable length and provide source and/or links for your info. We want to respect copyrighted material. Plus, you stand a better chance of getting your post read if it contains a link with an excerpt from source that's relative to your point.
Refrain from all caps and bold, large fonts. Hotlinking of photos is PROHIBITED! We have a thread which explains how to post a photo.

Did you miss this:

Retrieved from http://www.crmspokane.org/recognizing.htm

Did I set in bold that portion of the rule? :wink: