Are false teachers really so bad?

By Elizabeth Prata

I discuss Alisa Childers’ shift toward engaging with false teachers to reach the lost. While some support this view, I warn against the dangers of false teachers, asserting they corrupt faith and lead believers astray. I emphasize the importance of avoiding such influences, offering evidences of biblical warnings regarding sin and temptation.

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Yesterday I wrote an essay regarding popular influencer Alisa Childers’ changing stance from her former position of declining invitations to speak at conferences or venues where false teachers are present, to her current view that she will be platformed with them, if she can entreat the lost who may be present or to rebuke her fellow speakers if they are false.

Here is that article- ‘Should I do events if there is a false teacher present?’ Navigating cultural moments with discernment (edited)

I wrote that the Bible, especially in 26 of the 27 books of the New Testament, strongly warn against being with false teachers or false movements.

While some people were confused by Childers’ new view, others were disappointed in it, and still others approved. A typical response on the internet- all over the place and a big ole messy conversation.

But what does the Bible say? I used many verses and examples in my piece. Since so many people do not seem to understand the danger of false teachers, I’ll extend the conversation to focus on that aspect of the issue in this essay today.

First, we all love lost people. We are fervent in wanting God to save them, so we do what we can to show that love. Jesus said in Matthew 22:39 to love our neighbor as ourselves. And we do.

But that is only half the story.

As much as we are called to love the lost, we must hate the false. HATE it. In all the discussions about having love, reaching out, and being compassionate, many times in these discussions people do not show they fear the false nearly enough.

False teachers are the most dangerous people on the planet. I’ll say it again. The most dangerous people on earth are not terrorists, ANTIFA, fascists, rapists, molesters, or murderers. The most dangerous people are false teachers.

False teachers are straight from hell. They are ministers of evil disguised as ministers of righteousness. Since sin was found in Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:15) he entered earth to pollute the garden with his crafty insinuations. He turned a third of the angelic host against God and they followed Satan instead. Then was an irruption (an inflow) onto the earth of all those evil and sinful rebels turned demonic and unholy.

Just think on this- Satan was able to convince a horde of holy angels, who lived WITH God and saw His throne and shouted when He made the worlds and knew His power, turn from all that glory and perfection and holiness, to follow Satan. Do we think we puny humans stand a chance if we dally with the evil ones?

Let’s take a look at just a few of the Bible’s descriptions of false teachers.

Point #1- the evilness of false teachers

They masquerade as helpful ministers with a charming smile and a gentle tone. They use smooth talk and flattery. They do not strut about wearing horns and pitchforks. They disguise, that is what 2 Corinthians 11:14 says. They wear sheep’s clothing to hide their inner character, which is predatory.

They deceive, they spy, they want to take away our freedom in Christ. They lie. They devour. They destroy. They cause division. They take us captive. They pervert the Gospel. They distort. They are antichrists. They are ungodly. They lead people astray. They turn us from truth to myths. They are gangrenous cancers. These are the Bible’s words.

I could go on, those are just a few descriptions from just the New Testament. But you get the idea. False teachers are EVIL. We must hate them. Why? They oppose Christ (the worst sin!) and they devour the unwary (also bad!).

Point #2- the weakness of humans

There is another reason we are warned from the New Testament so many dozens of times to mark and avoid false teachers, which is the opposite of being platformed with them. It is an important point. Some have not only forgotten how EVIL false teachers are, some have forgotten how WEAK we are. There are verses which remind us of that.

Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. (Galatians 6:1).

Watch yourselves, the verse says. Even if we are trying to do good in helping another, we are tempted and we are to watch out. This is a warning.

So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12).

We think we are strong but we can fall too! Another warning not to overestimate our strength in dealing with sin.

Sin is crouching at the door, waiting to have you. (Genesis 4:7). A very clear warning that at all times, sin is present in us and around us.

Why go closer to sin, swim with sin, dally with sin, when it is crouching as a predator wanting to devour us weaklings? Do we really think we can go into a den of iniquity and emerge unscathed? Untempted? Uncompromised? What a ghastly thought!!

Thomas Boston comments on our sin-nature:

They find it present with them at all times, and in all places, even in the most retired corners. If a man has a troublesome neighbor, he may move; if he has an ill servant, he may put him away at the term; if a bad companion, he may sometimes leave the house, and be free from molestation that way. But should the saint go into a wilderness, or set up his tent on some remote rock in the sea, where never foot of man, beast, or fowl had touched, there his corrupt heart will be with him. Should he be with Paul, caught up to the third heavens, it will come back with him, 2 Cor. 12:7. It follows him as the shadow does the body; it makes a blot in the fairest line he can draw.

We are stupid sheep, weak, prideful, and foolish. Approaching the most dangerous people on the planet is warned against many times in scripture. John says do not even greet them! We must not swim in their waters!

Point #3- False teachers are sickening poison

I’ll use a graphic example. You bring a casserole dish of baked brownies to a potluck. There is a cow patty on one side. You tell everyone, ‘eat from this side, they are good. Don’t eat the ones on the other side, they will make you sick’.

Of course that is ridiculous. But it’s the same but worse with false teachers. We cannot, CANNOT ingest what they peddle even for a moment. We cannot stand next to them and say, ‘listen to me, not them.’ Their evil influence will not only make us sick, they may destroy our witness, capture us, and destroy us.

See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them (Ephesians 5:6-7).

Matthew Henry said of the Thessalonians verse, “He who is not shy of the appearances of sin, who does not shun it, and who does not avoid the temptations and approaches to it, will not long keep from doing sin.“

The false teachers’ empty words deceive us. The wrath of God is already on them.

One final verse,

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17-18 KJV).

For such people are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

Please do not come near to any sin, including well-meaning but incorrect influencers who think they can dally in it, despite the fact that the Bible says not to.

We can be encouraged that one day the Lord will return in triumph and put to death, sin, death, and evil angels. What a day that will be, to be delivered from our own sin nature and the evil presence of it around us! That day is coming. So, dear sisters, hang on to your wits, be vigilant, and keep battling. Please do not get weary…for Christ is worth a pure Bride. He is worth ALL!