Avoid False Teachers and False Gods

As I drive through various parts of our city, I can’t help but notice many places of worship. You don’t have to drive too far to find temples, churches, and other religious buildings. Perhaps you’ve noticed the same thing.

While some of these buildings house strong Christian fellowships, sadly, many others are places where false doctrine is taught or even where false gods are worshipped. 

As believers, the Bible warns us often against false teachers and false gods in both the Old and New Testaments. In this week’s lesson, we find Deuteronomy 13:1-3a, where Moses cautions Israel about false teachings and false gods:

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,” which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams…”

Moses’ warning is echoed in the New Testament in 2 Peter 2:1:

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”

While some false teachers and teachings may be obvious at first glance, others may seem right even to a believer. If anything, the problem of false teachers and false gods is bigger than ever with the internet, the media, and popular books all telling us different things.

As a Christian, how can we recognize a false teacher? While not a comprehensive list, here are some steps that can help:

1. Read the Bible regularly. Knowing and understanding what the Bible says can help you recognize false teachings when you hear them.
2. Find a good fellowship of other believers. Being around others who believe and who can hold you accountable will strengthen and grow your own faith.

Beyond these basics above, here are some other things to consider when looking at a teaching or a teacher:

3. Is Christ’s saving work on the cross recognized? If the teaching involves you working your way to heaven in order to be saved, you can be sure it’s a false teaching.
4. Is the Trinity acknowledged as God? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all God. Any teaching that says otherwise is false.
5. Beware of people who claim to be “spiritual” or “moral” outside of God. Outside of Jesus, there is no salvation. Christ is the only way.

If you’re not sure what a group believes or teaches, sometimes their website can help. Look for a web page titled “Our Beliefs” or “What We Believe.” If the church has a mission statement, looking at that can also be helpful. 

Don’t be drawn in by false teachers and false teachings. Learn to recognize and avoid them.

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Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.