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Many brethren in the Lord's church are teaching error on the subject of false teachers and how to identify them. They teach that the word "false" modifies only the heart, rather than the teaching. They also contend that differences in the interpretation of Acts through Revelation are opinions, not doctrines, but differences in the interpretation of Matthew through John do not constitute opinion, and, therefore, should be opposed. Furthermore, they believe that no false teachers exist today. This false doctrine continues to lead many astray. Let us study the word of God together so that we can learn how we can identify false teachers in the Lord's church.
A false teacher is defined as one who teaches any doctrine contrary to the teaching of the word of God, regardless if it is done out of ignorance or having full knowledge of the error. Furthermore, even if a person teaches the truth on every subject except one, he is still a false teacher. Jesus said,
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves," (Matthew 7:15).Clearly, Jesus is making no distinction here because "God is no respector of persons," (Acts 10:34).
Another important concept about the definition of a false teacher is the fact that it does not apply to preachers only. This definition applies to anyone, regardless if that person is male or female, young or old, deacon or elder, Christian or non-Christian.
John says,
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).Also, Jesus said that we can know false teachers by their fruits. He says,
"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them," (Matthew 7:16-20).Furthermore, before we can know whether a person is a false teacher, we must be knowledgeable about what the word of God teaches (2 Timothy 2:15). There are two ways in which false teachers can be identified.
First, by comparing what has been taught with the Scriptures a person can know whether it is truth or error. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 were known for exhibiting this commendable attitude. The Scripture says that
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.This is to be done regularly, whether reading religious materials (magazines, bulletins, books, tracts), attending gospel meetings and lectureships, worshipping with the local church, and listening to a religious Bible study program on the radio.
Last, a false teacher can be known by his conduct. Oftentimes the conduct of a false teacher can reveal the true motives of his heart and/or the what kind of person he is (Matthew 15:17-19). For example, in an interview, a liberal brother made a statement that shows he is "speaking lies in hypocrisy," (1 Timothy 4:2). The question that is under consideration is:
Do you believe baptism (immersion) is essential to salvation?
His response was:
No. If this were so, God would be restricted to saving only the immersed. But should you ask if it were essential for me to be immersed, the answer is yes, for I understood this to be my duty. I accept what the Scriptures say about baptism; it does not say it is essential to salvation. That is a deduction, unwarranted, I believe.
He states that he accepts what the Scriptures say about baptism, and yet Jesus said,
"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," (Mark 16:15).Peter also expressed the same belief regarding the necessity of baptism. He commanded those present on the day of Pentecost to
"Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins," (Acts 2:38).In addition, the Ethiopian eunich recognized the necessity of baptism and its purpose in saving him from his sins. The Bible says,
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"
And Philip said, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest."
And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing, (Acts 8:36-39).
The Bible places great importance upon identifying false teachers. Therefore, we must with all boldness and diligence strive to preach the word of God (2 Timothy 4:2) and be constantly on the watch for false teachers, lest they sow the seeds of apostasy in the hearts of men in order to draw disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30).
Ira Mikell
ira@thechristianexaminer.com
Having already established the "works of the flesh" of various sexual activities and corresponding attitudes, improper elevation of a thing above God, and recently the types of negative and harsh attitudes that engender more hate than love, let us now continue with this final thought with the work of the flesh deemed as "jealousy" (some versions, like the ASV, use the plural "jealousies") by Paul in Galatians 5:19-20:
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties...
The word translated in this text as "jealousy" (some other versions "emulations") is the Greek word zelos, defined by Thayer as:
1) excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit
1a) zeal, ardour in embracing, pursuing, defending anything
1a1) zeal in behalf of, for a person or thing
1a2) the fierceness of indignation, punitive zeal
1b) an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy
We see from Thayer that the word has two completely opposite meanings: its primary meaning is zeal, of fervor, directed at a good thing, while the secondary meaning is what occurs when a zealous attitude is turned toward evil things, notably rivalry and jealousy. Would we say that Paul is condemning, say, zeal for the things of God in this passage? By no means, for we know from the Scripture commends many for having this zeal (2 Corinthians 7:11; 9:2, Colossians 4:13). Paul is most certainly condemning a zeal for wickedness-- notably, a hatred of a person because of a percieved threat-- as may be seen in Romans 13:13, and 1 Corinthians 3:3, and as James uses the term in James 3:14 and James 3:16:
Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.
for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?
But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
From these verses we may learn that this "negative zeal," jealousy, is the type of deed done in darkness, one marked by carnality, causing one to lie against the truth and even all wickedness is present. How, then, may we avoid having jealousy?
It may be profitable to turn to Webster to receive a specific account of what jealousy is:
1. That passion of peculiar uneasiness which arises from the fear that a rival may rob us of the affection of one whom we love, or the suspicion that he has already done it; or it is the uneasiness which arises from the fear that another does or will enjoy some advantage which we desire for ourselves. A man's jealousy is excited by the attentions of a rival to his favorite lady. A woman's jealousy is roused by her husband's attentions to another woman. The candidate for office manifests a jealousy of others who seek the same office. The jealousy of a student is awakened by the apprehension that his fellow will bear away the palm of praise. In short, jealousy is awakened by whatever may exalt others, or give them pleasures and advantages which we desire for ourselves. Jealousy is nearly allied to envy, for jealousy, before a good is lost by ourselves, is converted into envy, after it is obtained by others.
Jealousy is the apprehension of superiority.
2. Suspicious fear or apprehension.
3. Suspicious caution or vigilance, an earnest concern or solicitude for the welfare or honor of others.
4. Indignation.
Although Webster's first definition is rather lengthy, it does help us understand how jealousy is the apprehension of what another might to do us. Jealousy, therefore, is best understood as a strong concern for the potential of what someone may do to us; envy, which we will examine in the near future, is the strong concern for something that another person already has. Regardless, we may see that jealousy is an attribute that stems from some form of insecurity: we are somehow afraid of what another might do to us, and therefore we have feelings of jealousy toward that person. Jealousy also can in a generic sense, as seen in definitions 2 and 4, be a fear of something or indignation about something. All of these definitions demonstrate that jealousy really is often a form of hostility between the jealous party and another party.
Having recognized jealousy as such, we can now easily see why it is not to be a part of the Christian lifestyle. We are told in Romans 15:2-3 and 1 Corinthians 10:24 clearly that we ought to recognize our neighbor over ourselves:
Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying. For Christ also pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell upon me."
Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor's good.
If we had this attitude of humility we would never have a fear or apprehension concerning our neighbor, for we would seek out his good. There can be no jealousy in such a relationship.
This ought especially be true within the household of God. Paul and James above have clearly condemned any form of jealousy amongst brethren, considering this thing to be a work of carnality and darkness, leading to every vile deed and considered to be lying against the truth of God. Let us continually strive to not fear our neighbor, and the potential things he may do to us, but attempt actually to do whatever is in his best interest, and refrain from all forms of jealousy.
Ethan R. Longhenry
ethan@thechristianexaminer.com
www.deusvitae.com
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