7 Characteristics of false Teachers

by Thomas Brooks ( 1608-1680 )

That Satan labours might and main, by false teachers, which are his messengers and ambassadors, to deceive, delude, and for ever undo the precious souls of men (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 4:14; 2 Tim. 3:4-6; Titus 1:11,12; 2 Peter 2:18,19): "I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err" (Jer. 23:13). "The prophets make my people to err" (Micah 3:5). They seduce them, and carry them out of the right way into by-paths and blind thickets of error, blasphemy, and wickedness, where they are lost forever. "Beware of false prophets, for they come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Mat. 7:15). These lick and suck the blood of souls: "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision" (Phil. 3:2). These kiss and kill; these cry, Peace, peace, till souls fall into everlasting flames, &c., Proverbs 7.

Now, the best way to deliver poor souls from being deluded and destroyed by these messengers of Satan is, to discover them in their colors, that so, being known, poor souls may shun them, and fly from them as from hell itself.

Now you may know them by these characters following:

THE FIRST CHARACTER

False teachers are men-pleasers (Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:1-4). They preach more to please the ear than to profit the heart: "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophecy no unto us right things: speak to us smooth things; prophecy deceits"' (Isa. 30:10). "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so. And what will you do in the end thereof?" (Jer. 5:30,31). They handle holy things rather with wit and dalliance (playful come-on) then with fear and reverence. False teachers are soul-undoers. They are like evil chirurgeons, that skin over the wound, but never heal it. Flattery undid Ahab and Herod, Nero and Alexander. False teachers are hell's greatest enrichers. Non acerba, sed blanda, Not bitter, but flattering words do all the mischief, said Valerian, the Roman emperor. Such smooth teachers are sweet soul-poisoners (Jer. 23:16,17).

THE SECOND CHARACTER

False teachers are notable in casting dirt, scorn, and reproach upon the persons, names, and credits of Christ's most faithful ambassadors. Thus Korah, Dathan, and Abiram charged Moses and Aaron that they took too much upon them, seeing all the congregation was holy (Num. 16:3). You take too much state, too much power, too much honour, too much holiness upon you; for what are you more than others, that you take so much upon you? And so Ahab's false prophets fell foul on good Micaiah, paying of him with blows for want of better reasons (1 Kings 22:10-26). Yea, Paul, that great apostle of the Gentiles, had his ministry undermined and his reputation blasted by false teachers: "For his letters"' say they, "are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and contemptible" (2 Cor. 10:10). They rather contemn him than admire him; they look upon him as a dunce rather than a doctor. And the same hard measure had our Lord Jesus from the Scribes and Pharisees, who laboured as for life to build their own credit upon the ruins of his reputation. And never did the devil drive a more full trade this way than he does in these days (Matt. 27:63). Oh! the dirt, the filth, the scorn that is thrown upon those whom the world is not worthy. I suppose false teachers mind not that saying of Austin, Quisquis volens detrahit famae, nolens addit mercedi meae, He that willingly takes from my good name, unwillingly adds to my reward.

THE THIRD CHARACTER

False teachers are venters of the devices and visions of their own heads and hearts. "Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent then not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophecy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart (Jer. 14:14); "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Harken not unto the words of the prophets that prophecy unto you; they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord" (Jer. 23:16). Are there not multitudes in this nation whose visions are but golden delusions, lying vanities, brain-sick phantasies? These are Satan's great benefactors, and such as divine justice will hang up in hell as the greatest malefactors, if the physician of souls does not prevent it.

THE FOURTH CHARACTER

False teachers easily pass over the great and weighty things both of law and gospel, and stand most upon those things that are of the least moment and concernment to the souls of men. "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned; from which some have swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the law, and understand neither what they say nor whereof they affirm" (1 Tim. 1:5-7). "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matt. 23:2,3). False teachers are nice in the lesser things of the law, and as negligent in the greater. "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself" (1 Tim. 6:3-5). If such teachers are not hypocrites in grain, I know nothing, Romans 2:22. The earth groans to bear them, and hell is fitted for them, Matt. 24:32.

THE FIFTH CHARACTER

False teachers cover and color their dangerous principles and soul-impostures with very fair speeches and plausible pretenses, with high notions and golden expressions. Many in these days are bewitched and deceived, viz. illumination, revelation, deification, fiery triplicity, &c. As strumpets paint their faces, and deck and perfume their beds, the better to allure and deceive simple souls (Gal. 6:12; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rom. 16:17,18; Mat. 16:6,11,12; 7:15), so false teachers will put a great deal of paint and garnish upon their most dangerous principles and blasphemies, that they may the better deceive and delude poor ignorant souls. They know sugared poison goes down sweetly; they wrap up their pernicious, soul-killing pills in gold.

THE SIXTH CHARACTER

False teachers strive more to win over men to their opinions, than to better them in their conversations. "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" (Matt. 24:17). They busy themselves most about men's heads. Their work is not to better men's hearts, and mend their lives; and in this they are very much like their father the devil, who will spare no pains to gain proselytes.

THE SEVENTH CHARACTER

False teachers make merchandise of their followers. "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" (2 Peter 2:1-3). They eye your goods more than your good; and mind more the serving of themselves, than the saving of your souls. So they may have your substance, they care not though Satan has your souls (Rev. 18:11-13). That they may the better pick your purse, they will hold forth such principles as are very indulgent to the flesh. False teachers are the great worshippers of the golden calf (Jer. 6:13).

Now, by these characters you may know them, and so shun them, and deliver your souls out of their dangerous snares; which that you may, my prayers shall meet-yours at the throne of grace.

False Teachers

What does the Bible have to say about false teachers? Listed below are the major texts of the Bible that deal with this subject along with some notes of application. Do any of these describe you?

I Tim. 6:1-6, 20

False teachers do not honor their authorities.
False teachers have testimonies that give others the occasion to blaspheme.
False teachers diminish the quality of godliness.
False teachers disagree with good teaching, even the very teachings of Christ.
False teachers are proud.
False teachers demonstrate their ignorance by arguing over mundane terminologies.
False teachers engender discord among brethren and produce unfounded evil suspicions.
False teachers corrupt minds with the concept that godliness is a way to become rich.
False teachers are to be disassociated from the brethren.

II John 7-10

False teachers deny the true nature of Christ (fully human/fully God).
False teachers are against Christ.
False teachers are actively working to deceive.
False teachers are not saved.
False teachers are to be rejected from fellowship.

Rom. 16:17, 18

False teachers seek division among the brethren by opposing the doctrines of Scripture.
False teachers are to be avoided.
False teachers are to be openly disputed.
False teachers are not servants of Christ.
False teachers aim to benefit themselves by their teachings.
False teachers are good persuaders that deceive people who are spiritually immature.

II Tim. 2:18; 3:1-9; 4:3-4

False teachers love only themselves.
False teachers are proud.
False teachers are blasphemers.
False teachers promote disobedience to parental authority.
False teachers are not thankful.
False teachers do not lead holy lives.
False teachers are do not love others.
False teachers do not forgive wrongdoings.
False teachers are slanderers.
False teachers have no self-control.
False teachers are violent.
False teachers despise those who are doing good things.
False teachers are traitors to their own people.
False teachers are stubborn.
False teachers are arrogant.
False teachers seek personal pleasure over pleasing God.
False teachers outwardly conform while inwardly they rebel.
False teachers prey on gullible women who are under guilt of past sins.
False teachers are always studying to support their teachings rather than surveying their need of salvation.
False teachers will eventually be exposed of their errors.
False teachers destroy the faith of believers by denying our future resurrection.
False teachers resist the truth even when plainly presented.
False teachers have corrupt minds.
False teachers resist authority.

Rev. 2:14-16

False teachers have no regard for the law of conscience.
False teachers cause people to fall into sin.
False teachers oppose God Himself with their teachings.

Titus 1:10-16; 3:9

False teachers are insubordinate to authorities.
False teachers are consumed with senseless teachings.
False teachers added works (specifically the circumcision) to grace.
False teachers create turmoil in entire households by the corruption of one.
False teachers take indecent liberties with scripture.
False teachers seek to become rich from their teachings.
False teachers are liars.
False teachers are evil, lazy over-eaters.
False teachers are to be confronted and rebuked sharply for their errors with the motive of correction.
False teachers give credence to unfounded stories and man-made commandments.
False teachers profess to be saved, but deny their so-called savior by their works.
False teachers have disqualified themselves for spiritual office.

Heb. 13:9

False teachers are occupied with strange teachings.

I Tim. 1:3-8

False teachers teach doctrines contrary to the nature of the doctrines of Scripture.
False teachers devise teachings from non-Scriptural, fictitious stories and genealogies.
False teachers neglect the building of faith through godly edification.
False teachers focus on scriptural issues that have no spiritual value.
False teachers want the prestige of being a teacher without the responsibility of studying.
False teachers abuse the teachings of the law.

Col. 2:8

False teachers seek to rob others of spiritual vitality by teaching secular philosophy and other worthless tools of deceit.
False teachers focus on the teachings of the world rather than the teachings of Christ.

II Pet. 2:1-3

False teachers try to disguise their heresies.
False teachers deny the authority of God.
False teachers bring about their own destruction.
False teachers blaspheme the way of truth with their lives.
False teachers will have many followers.
False teachers give reason for the heathen to speak evil of the way of truth.
False teachers use their followers for their own personal gain.
False teachers are greedy.

Acts 20:29, 30

False teachers seek to destroy the flock.
False teachers can come from within the flock.
False teachers twist the Scriptures to support their views.
False teachers seek to draw out followers of themselves instead of the pastors.

Mat. 24:5

False teachers may even claim to be the Christ.

I Tim. 4:1-4

False teachers are characteristic of the last days.
False teachers depart from the Christian faith.
False teachers are controlled by deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
False teachers speak with hypocritical lies.
False teachers focus on man-made doctrines such as celibacy and special dieting.

Gal. 1:6-9

False teachers produce a new gospel (one not completely based on grace).
False teachers twist and pervert the gospel of Christ.
False teachers are accursed.
False teachers could appear in the form of an angel.

I John 4:1-3

False teaching may come from a spirit form.
False teachers are to be tried/tested.
False teachers deny the humanity of Christ.
False teachers (denying the humanity of Christ) are antichrists.

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