Why I Won’t Apologize For Calling Out False Teachers

I am self-righteous, holier-than-thou, legalistic, and need to shut up. I know this because people tell me these things on a fairly regular basis. (You’ve got to love the internet!) They have never met me, and I highly doubt they’ve read many of my blog posts. However, I have criticized the cringeworthy, and sometimes outright unbiblical, teachings of their favorite false teachers (Moore and Warren, for example), and that is unforgivable… So, I would like to take this opportunity to not apologize and explain why we should, in fact, call out false teachers.

Do We Have That Much Access To False Teachers?

Maybe you are thinking that some folks, like myself, are too apt to find fault in Bible teachers and pastors. Quite a few Christians focus on the idea of unity under the general term “Christian.” Unity is fine, and I am encouraged by people who see so much good in the world and work well with others. On the other hand, can we stop pretending that everyone who invokes the name of Christ is trustworthy, accurate, biblically sound, or even knows the Lord at all?

There are a lot of false teachers and false converts out there. So, how are they getting to us?

Thanks, Technology

A lot of people are out there selling their brand of “jesus,” and we need be thoughtful and assess the various teachings we hear. This could not be truer than it is today because individuals who may have been fringe weirdos several decades ago now have access to the internet.

Social media allows these false teachers to find a following and create a community comprised of people from all over the world. Moreover, they can create exactly the image they need in order to market themselves like a product. Yes, they market themselves, not Christ. False teachers often show us a picture of success and luxury. Perhaps, the focus is on the “perfect” family and confidence to spare. Whatever attracts their goal market, they perform it over Instagram, Twitter, etc.

A Consumer Generation

We are a generation of consumers looking for quick sound bites. We can’t be bothered to invest time in learning about God through deep study. So, everything we need to know should come to us quickly and as conveniently as possible.

Most people don’t want hard teaching and deep theology. Nah. We want Ted Talks. We desire self-help, self-focused sermons that make us feel good and affirmed.

The Bible Says We Will Turn To False Teachers

Scripture clearly tells us that people will turn from truth to hear things that sound good to them. Not just that. But people will look for these false teachers to tell them the things they want to hear. If there was no market for false teaching, then who would false teachers serve? Sadly, there is no shortage of men and women seeking out false teachers to follow.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

2 Timothy 4:3-4

Let’s remember, false teachers won’t wear a convenient name tag identifying themselves as one. Most false teachers seem spiritual and in touch with God. Often, they know the Bible well, and we easily trust them because they know the correct words to say. Usually, with closer inspection, the teaching is wonky, and the fruit the false teacher bears is rotten. Ravi Zacharias is a sad example of this.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (emphasis mine)

2 Timothy 3:1-5

Be On The Lookout For False Teachers

Hopefully, you understand that false teachers exist and have frighteningly easy access to a large swathe of the population. Here’s an issue, though, that I have personally noticed among believers. Most of them think they are very discerning, and thus, cannot be taken in by a false teacher. This is a terrible mistake.

The Bible warns us to be alert to false teachers. None of us should assume we can’t be fooled, even the most discerning among us. Rather, we ought to be deliberate in our walk with the Lord, including what we read and to whom we listen.

Biblical Instruction To Beware Of False Teachers

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 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 7:15-20

Beware. Be on the lookout. Have vigilance when listening to teachers. Why do we need to “beware?” False teachers don’t look false! They will look like us (i.e., sheep), but they will really be wolves.

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

Acts 20:28-29

Paul was speaking to the elders in Ephesus here and issues a serious warning. He tells them to “take heed,” or pay careful attention, because false teachers will enter the Church. Christians are not immune to the works of false teachers. They’re often the target audience.

Jesus Called Out False Teachers

Occasionally, I hear someone correcting a believer for bringing up concerns about a teacher because it isn’t very Christlike. There’s this understanding among many Christians that Jesus wants us to show love through a quiet, passive life which offers no challenge to someone who calls himself a Christian despite the warning signs. You know…because Jesus would never challenge anyone else’s teaching…

Or would He? Well, let’s quickly look at Matthew 23. In this chapter, Jesus speaks to the multitude. It’s not a private gathering of a few trusted friends. Jesus attracted a crowd, and this day was no different. His topic? The scribes and Pharisees.

“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

Matthew 23:4

Jesus opens with criticism. He doesn’t excuse the hypocritical behavior He has observed. Instead, He calls it out.

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!” (emphasis added)

Matthew 23:13-16

Generally, we don’t say “woe” anymore in regular conversation. So, if you don’t know, “woe” is an exclamation of sadness over others. Other sources define it as an exclamation of judgment on others.

Jesus judges the scribes and Pharisees harshly in this passage. He calls them “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” and condemns them for leading people astray, teaching others to keep the same false practices they have kept, and for being blind to the truth.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

Matthew 23:27-28

The modern-day interpretation of Jesus might be of a man who stands by and lets false teachers have their moment in the sun, but the real Jesus of the Bible did not hold back criticism when it was needed. These two verses are some of the meanest words spoken in the Bible, and the scribes and Pharisees (and the multitude) needed to hear it.

Jesus not only called these false teachers hypocrites again, but He also called them tombs that looked beautiful on the outside but were filled with death. He made the picture crystal clear. It wasn’t “nice” or permissive. Quite the contrary! Jesus made sure everyone there understood the scribes and Pharisees were false teachers.

I’m not saying this is how we ought to approach everyone. At minimum, it would close a lot of doors and hurt a lot of feelings. But we can take away a lesson from Jesus’ approach in Matthew 23. Call out and correct false teachers. And, no, it does not need to be done in secret.

The Harm That Comes From Staying Quiet About False Teachers

Undoubtedly, someone will argue that it is best for most, if not all, of us to keep quiet. God will judge these false teachers, after all, and we wouldn’t want to give Christianity a bad name by being “mean.” False teachers do a lot of damage, and it’s our duty to, out of love, warn others of the dangers associated with these false teachers.

False Gospel

False teachers usually give a false gospel. This should concern all Christians because people are saved through the gospel of Jesus Christ. A watered-down or false gospel confuses and deceives people. I shudder to think how many “Christians” believe they are saved because they received a false gospel. For instance, how many people prayed a prayer or think they have earned salvation through good works? False conversions are not a myth, and false teachers create a very real risk for them. The Apostle Paul, himself, had concerns about false teachers perverting the gospel and convincing believers into accepting another gospel.

“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (ESV)

2 Corinthians 11:3-4

“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.”

Galatians 1:6-7

Using Followers For Personal Gain

False teachers are known for profiting handsomely for their efforts. Making money is fine. Making a lot of money is also all right. On the other hand, using people to gain money, power, and influence is not acceptable.

A false teacher can profit from congregants and followers by creating superfans. Again, we can see the use of social media and marketing tactics to sell oneself rather than reaching others with Jesus. Followers are faithful to the personality they have come to trust, and this makes superfans who will buy anything.

Books, MLM products, video lessons, seminars, trips, swag, tithes and offerings, and whatever else false teachers can monetize.

None of those methods of earning are inherently sinful or bad. Some of the most solid pastors and Bible teachers alive make money from books sales, seminars, and the like. But what is the content? And what is this money going toward? It’s a fine line, but I think we all know the problem when we see it.

An example that I find absolutely hilarious concerns a prosperity preacher named Creflo Dollar. In 2015, he requested that people donate money so that he could reach his donation goal of $65 million dollars. The need was great, in his opinion. Dollar wanted the money to buy a Gulfstream G650 airplane.

Dollar, and others like him, make me think of Second Peter 2.

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (emphasis mine)

2 Peter 2:1-3

Bible, Deprioritized

False teachers carry Bibles with them when they preach. It makes for a nice accessory, but for many, that’s the only purpose it serves. Sure, false teachers pluck verses they think sound nice and twist them to fit their message. But that mishandling of the Word is just one way to deprioritize the Bible. If a teacher doesn’t strive to understand the true meaning of God’s Word, then he doesn’t care about God’s Word. Period.

Some false teachers just go ahead and say the quiet part out loud. “We don’t study the Bible.” Here’s Steven Furtick saying that his church, Elevation Church, doesn’t need to study the Bible because it gets in the way of evangelism. He then goes on to shame people who want to learn sound doctrine.

Other false teachers add to the Bible through personal “revelations.” Revelation 22:18 warns not to add anything to God’s Word, but false teachers either don’t believe that it is forbidden in the Bible, or they think they are special enough to receive personal messages from the Lord that they must share with other believers.

Jackie Hill Perry recently shared on Twitter that God mostly deals with her in dreams and prophetic “unctions.” That sounds cool and super spiritual, but God deals with us through His Word.

At the beginning of my walk, I was in a Pentecostal church that gave me room and space to explore this part of myself but after leaving, I haven’t embraced the prophetic out loud as much. Out of fear mainly. But God really does speak to and through His church and I love it.

— Jackie Hill Perry (@JackieHillPerry) April 1, 2022

“Ok ok. I’ll say this. God primarily deals with me in dreams. I’ve been enlightened, warned, and led to intercede for others through them. But lately, I’ve had an increase of “inner unctions” by the Spirit, that arise in prayer, about people I know and don’t know. It’s deep.”

“At the beginning of my walk, I was in a Pentecostal church that gave me room and space to explore this part of myself but after leaving, I haven’t embraced the prophetic out loud as much. Out of fear mainly. But God really does speak to and through His church and I love it.”

Jackie Hill-Perry (Tweet 4/1/2022)

We might have personal reservations about confidently speaking out against false teachers, but if we don’t then people like Creflo Dollar, Steven Furtick, and Jackie Hill Perry go unchecked.

Arguments Against Calling Out False Teachers

So, you feel courageous and are ready to warn someone about a false teacher. (Congratulations!) Then, you are met with resistance by a fellow believer. They probably use one of these three arguments…none of which is biblical.

1. “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”

Woah! Boom! You got me. I guess I better turn around and go home with my tail between my legs. Wait a minute. Is there more to Matthew 7 than “judge not?”

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)

Let’s put this to rest right now. Matthew 7 is telling us not to judge another while we also sin in the same area. In other words, don’t judge hypocritically. Here’s an over-the-top example. I cannot go to my sister in Christ who is engaged in an extramarital affair and rebuke her for that sin if I also have a boyfriend outside my marriage.

Additionally, later in verse 15 of the same chapter of Matthew, there is a warning to watch out for false teachers who are “ravening wolves” in sheep’s clothing. How can we judge someone’s teaching without judging?

The Bible Says To Judge

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

I Thessalonians 5:21

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Ephesians 4:14-15

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

John 7:24

2. “Have you gone to that person first?”

When people ask if we have gone to the false teacher first, they are referring to Matthew 18.

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Matthew 18:15-17

The verses above are neglected regularly, but not by people like me who point out false teachers. This Scripture contains instructions for how personal issues in a local church setting should be handled. If I sin against my sister in Christ, then she should follow Matthew 18 by coming to me first with the offense. Churches definitely don’t adhere to this much any longer, but none of this has anything to do with addressing false teachers.

In fact, teachers are held to a higher standard of judgment, so it would suggest that teachers would be held to a high level of scrutiny by the Church, too.

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

James 3:1 (ESV)

Besides, the false teachers who are called out on public forums are public figures with large audiences. If I had to go to the person in order to discuss their false teaching, then I would never be able to address the problem. I don’t have access to most, if any, false teachers. So, this argument that we should approach them in person is a clever way of protecting the false teacher from criticism.

3. “Who are you to say….?”

Relative to a popular false teacher, I am a nobody. I have been reminded of this on multiple occasions. Who am I, some have questioned, to criticize that individual? I haven’t changed anyone’s life with a huge ministry. So, I should keep my Judgy McJudgerson thoughts to myself.

Well, I don’t need a Bible college degree or a huge ministry to be biblically literate and discerning. Who am I? I’m a born-again Christian who expects Bible teachers to adhere to God’s Word and repent when they are in the wrong.

How To Judge False Teachers

1. Decide if it is necessary to say anything.

We don’t always have to call something out when we hear a problem. I must admit, this is an area in which I need to grow. God’s working on me, but there is still more to do.

Let’s give grace and allow people to make mistakes. No one is perfect, and even the best teachers misspeak or get it wrong at times. It’s OK to let things go, and wait to see if a pattern emerges proving the person to be a false teacher.

Some considerations to keep in mind include:

Are the issues serious?

Does this concern essentials of the Christian faith or secondary and tertiary issues?

Are the issues consistent?

Is the individual repentant?

Does the individual have an influence over a large audience?

Can you explain why the teachings are incorrect and/or dangerous?

2. Pray

Before you say a word. Pray. Pray for the false teacher because that person needs prayer to correct his teachings and align himself with God’s Word. Maybe he even needs salvation.

Pray for the people who follow him. Pray that they see his errors and hear truth.

Don’t forget to pray for those who do not follow that false teacher. Pray they stay strong in their faith, avoid false teachers, and have biblically sound teachers and influences.

3. Be honest, but be loving, too.

I like to joke, be a little sarcastic, and my humor is sometimes quite dry. But I still love these false teachers. I want them to see their errors and repent. They hurt others, but they hurt themselves, as well. This is why I encourage people to pray for false teachers and to remember their spiritual needs.

However, when Ephesians 4:15 instructs us to speak the “truth in love,” it does not mean to hold back truth that is uncomfortable. Sometimes, loving truth still hurts the person on the receiving end. Allow that conviction to rest with them. You’ll never call out a false teacher and leave with everyone happy about it.

4. Make it public.

Hold on. I don’t necessarily mean that like it sounds. If you have a blog, podcast, or social media account that you want to share information about false teachers on, then go for it. If you’d rather not be that public with it, though, that’s your choice.

Instead, tell your friend who is reading Jesus Calling that Sara Young is a false teacher. Let your mom know that Joel Osteen is a prosperity preacher, and that makes him a false teacher. You have a sphere of influence, so go ahead and warn those in it. But don’t forget to point them toward solid teaching.

This can be scary, and people will definitely tell you sharing these thoughts in public is not the Christian thing to do. Well, remember that earlier we examined Jesus calling out false teachers in Matthew 23. Also, Paul calls out six people by name in First and Second Timothy. Think of that. Those false teachers have been preserved in God’s Word! Finally, we have encouragement to call out false teachers in Ephesians.

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

Ephesians 5:11

Final Thought

Not every disagreement we may have with a teacher makes that person a false teacher. It’s important to recognize that and act accordingly. Nevertheless, false teachers are all around us, and they often look just like us. Be vigilant in your walk with Christ, and seek truth over messages aimed at making us happy.

Christians, do we have the courage to withstand the criticism that comes with calling out false teachers to warn others and point them back to the truth found in the Bible and to the salvation that can only be found through Jesus Christ? I hope we do.

What experiences have you had with false teachers? Let me know!

Image courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash.