THE RISE OF FALSE TEACHERS

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

In the last days, people in the church will not want to hear the truth, so they will seek out teachers who will give them what they want. These teachers will both change the truth to a lie or just not present the truth at all.

In the apostate church, people do not want to hear messages about condemnation, hell, sin, homosexuals, or judgment. Church members want to live their selfish, materialistic lives without anyone teaching to the contrary.

In speaking about false teachers, the Bible says, “These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.” (2 Peter 2:17-18)

“But there were also false prophets (teachers) among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Again, speaking about false teachers, “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:5-7)

These teachers speak and offer nothing that is life changing. They are deceptive, with the intent of keeping people away from the truth. They speak of nothing that will bring the hearer under the conviction of sin. In many cases, their own personal lives are in shambles. They often use phrases and speech patterns that cause people to let go of their financial resources. They preach such things as:

· Sowing your seed – that means give me your money.

· Prosperity Gospel - God wants you to be rich. In faith, prove God by giving me your money.

· God wants to heal you – give me your money.

· Wealth by proxy – you give me your money, I’ll build my big houses, sail my yachts, fly my Leer jets, and YOU will feel blessed. Isn’t God wonderful

And, the list goes on and on.

In many churches today, pastors only preach a ‘social gospel’. They do not want to offend anyone, chancing that they might leave the church. They will teach on social and political norms of the day, saying what they believe the people out in the congregation want to hear. All is well, everyone goes home happy, and the pastor is pastor for another week.

These false teachers will face a judgment for this. “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” (2 Peter 2:3)

God takes the roll of teachers very serious, and will judge those who willfully misuse and mislead others.

* ‘Word of God’ refers to the Bible only, in all instances in this work. No other source is assumed in that phrase. The Bible is God’s inerrant, infallible, and complete and sole Word to mankind. No other work on earth appends too or replaces the Bible.

** All Bible references are from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted.