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THE BIBLE EXPOSES FALSE TEACHERS The Old Testament lays bare many religious error, from the unacceptable sacrifice of Cain (Genesis 4:1-5) to the perverted religious practices of the Israelites (2 Kings 17:12-17, 24 Psalm 106:36-38 It is important for us to observe that the Old Testament not only contains details of false religions among those who never claimed to be God's people (Isaiah 19:1-3; 66:17), but it also uncovers false religion among those who claimed to have a relationship with Jehovah. Examples include the perverted worship of Jehovah engaged in by Micah and Jeroboam (Judges 17-18; 1 Kings 12:25-33; 2 Chronicles 11:14-15 the rank idolatry of the Israelites under kings like Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:1-7, cf. Hosea 4:12-13; Ezekiel 23:37-39; 14:1-7), and the false prophecies propounded in Jeremiah's day (Jeremiah 14:14). Remedies for false religion were often the subject of messages sent by God through His prophets. The religious reforms instituted by King Josiah illustrate the severity of the measures which were taken (2 Kings 23:1-20). The New Testament is also filled with descriptions and condemnations of false teaching and false religion, not only among pagans and Jews, but also among Christians. As was already mentioned, Paul was aware of and exposed pagan idolatry among the Greeks of Athens (Acts 17:17-31). But many New Testament epistles also deal with some erroneous practice or belief among Christians. Even a cursory examination of the New Testament would reveal that false religion among Christians took many forms, including eating meat offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:14-31; Revelation 2:14, 20), the Judaizing of Christianity (Acts 15; Galatians), early Gnosticism (1 John), and the imposition of human philosophy and tradition (Colossians 2:8, 20-23; cf. Matthew 23:13-33). ALL Christians have an obligation to maintain unity with one another based on truth (Ephesians 4:1-3). Divergent doctrines are obviously the enemy of unity (Ephesians 4:14). We should "not be carried about with various and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9). One of the best safe guards against false teaching is a thorough awareness of it; we should be able to recognize a false doctrine (1 John 4:1), convincingly explain what is wrong with it (Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:2), and identify those who teach it Romans 16:17-18 In Matthew 16:6-12, Jesus warned his disciples to "take heed" and "beware" of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The phrase "take heed" (Greek. horao) means to "discern clearly" and the word "beware" (Greek. prosexo) means to "hold the mind towards," "pay attention to," or "be cautious about" (Strong's Greek Dictionary). When it comes to false teaching, the most dangerous thing we can do is stick our heads in the sand and ignore it. The many passages found in the New Testament warning us to beware of false teachers are sufficient by themselves to authorize us to study other religions and cults. (cf. Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-4; 3:17; 1 John 4:1) Acts 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonia, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. refiners fire min.  Isaiah 42:8 " I am the Lord; that is my name! And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images." |
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