How can I keep from being deceived by false teaching? - False Prophets & Teachers - TouchPoints

John 10:3-5“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

In these verses, Jesus is saying that when we really know someone, we can instantly recognize his or her voice. We can pick it out in a crowd because it is unique and distinct. In the same way, as we spend time studying the teachings of Jesus and getting to know him better in prayer, we will get to know his voice. When a person is preaching or teaching, we will be able to recognize if what he or she is saying is consistent with what Jesus would say. Knowing Jesus’ voice will protect us from deception.

1 Timothy 4:1-13Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer. If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

The only way for believers to stand their ground is to be spiritually fit. We should consistently expose ourselves to solid teaching instead of leaving our spiritual formation to chance.

James 3:1Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

We should carefully evaluate our spiritual teachers, checking to see if they are people of high moral character. They should consistently point us to Jesus and not to themselves. They should be humble and teach truth consistent with what is in the Bible.

Colossians 2:8Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

1 Timothy 6:3Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.

1 John 4:1Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

We can to recognize the devil and his lies by knowing God and his truth. Being familiar with the lies Satan often uses will also prepare us to counter them. Satan has practiced his lies over millennia—but that also means we can prepare for his game plan.