Defining a “false teacher” and discerning false teachings, very much needed today 525 - 6 - 1

Per the Apostle Peter, a false teacher is just that, one who teaches a false doctrine, who brings in damnable heresies. The unsurpassed way to discern false teachings is to study the Word and to “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11. CM reminds us to be like the Bereans, Acts 17:11, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

Jesus warned us again and again about false teachers:

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

Mark 13:21-23, " And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christ’s and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."

IMO, Jude’s letter was written for such a time as this and written to today’s “The Beloved.” As believers, we are part of the beloved whom Jude is pressuring to “Contend Earnestly for The Faith.” Jude was writing to counter the apostasy that was occurring within the infant church and the arrival of many false teachers. As it was nearly 2000 years ago so it is today with those espousing the New Age as well as adherence to numerous cults.

Not being one to mince words, Paul had this much to say about false teachers. Galatians 1:6-8, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

In the Book of Revelation Jesus speaks through the Apostle John to “The seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” Many BAC think we are firmly in the age of the church of Laodicea. “3:15-17 The church at Laodicea was neither cold nor hot. It was sickeningly lukewarm. The Lord would have preferred it to have been extreme in its indifference or its zeal. But no—it was lukewarm enough to deceive people into thinking that it was a church of God, and so disgustingly lukewarm about divine things as to nauseate the Most High. Furthermore, the church was characterized by pride, ignorance, self-sufficiency, and complacency.” [Believers Bible Commentary]

After the vitriolic anti-Christian rhetoric expressed in the resent POTUS election, there was concern we would return to the age of the Church of Smyrna that endured extreme persecution. Thankfully God stepped in as did many in the Christian community and, in my opinion, a man was raised up for such a time as this.