False Teachings

A false teaching is an idea that contradicts the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Gal. 2:4; 2 Pet. 2:1).

A person who teaches false teaching is called a false teacher. A false teacher may claim to teach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, but he actually teaches “a different gospel” (Gal. 1:6–7) and “another Jesus” (2 Cor. 11:4).

The Danger of False Teachings

False teachings are dangerous because they prevent people from believing the true Gospel. A person can only be saved if he believes in the Gospel. However, false teaching contradicts the Gospel. Hence, if a person believes a false teaching, then he does not really believe the Gospel, and so he is not saved (1 Tim. 4:1; 1 John 2:19; 2 John 8–9).

The Deception of False Teachers

People would not believe an idea that is obviously false. So, false teachers deceive people by making their teachings seem like truth, and by making themselves seem like servants of the true God (Rom. 16:18; 2 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 4:14; 5:6; Col. 2:4, 8; 2 Thess. 2:3, 10; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:13; 1 John 2:26; 2 John 7; 2 Cor. 11:13–15).

Responding to False Teachings

Christians should avoid false teachers (Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 3:5); not tolerate their teachings (2 Cor. 11:4; Rev. 2:20); not treat them as Christian teachers (2 John 10); seek to expose them (Eph. 5:11); and yet treat them with respect as fellow human beings (Col. 4:6; 2 Tim. 2:25; 1 Pet. 3:15).

Pastors should watch carefully for false teachers who may influence their churches (Acts 20:28–30); rebuke false teachers publicly (1 Tim. 5:20; cf. 1:19–20; 2 Tim. 2:17–18); refute false teachings publicly (Tit. 1:9, 13; 2 Tim. 2:24–25); and help Christians grow in faith, such that they would not be deceived by false teachings (Eph. 4:14).