Exposing False Prophets and False Teachers

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

The idea that naming false prophets and teachers in unbiblical and that those that do such are not “walking in love”; that the very act of calling someone out for their error discredits a person as a follower of Jesus Christ, is a lie. It is the defense of the guilty a reaction of the wicked to attack the character of their opposition as to discredit the message, this is meant to cause strife and confuse the issue at hand. However, it is also natural to examine those who you feel are attacking you and look to expose them as the accuser of the brethren; and the key word here is ‘natural’. Jesus said, “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.” – John 8:15-16 KJV

Before exposing anyone of whom you see is teaching erroneously. Taking heed not to judge the person who is deceived in the manner of the flesh, for we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but are instructed to judge righteous judgment which is by the word of God.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” – John 7:24 KJV

It is important to remember the person preaching a false gospel as the truth of Jesus Christ is a person, not the enemy. To judge righteous judgment also requires the instruction of what the fruit of the false doctrine does in order to show it is not what God gave his only Son for. Then to offer correction in pointing them to the truth that sets all men free.

“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” – Titus 1:10-14 KJV

Many times, in the New Testament the Apostle Paul names those who oppose the truth and we are instructed to imitate him as he is also a follower of Jesus Christ. Keep in mind that Jesus was establishing a new doctrine as was Paul to the Gentiles, but Paul then had to correct misinterpretations of the Gospel and contend with established false doctrines.

Whereas Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of Israel to become the author of our salvation through his obedience to the cross as a perfect sacrifice, Paul was sent to the Gentiles to focus on exactly what that sacrifice meant for them and establish law by faith working through love. The Apostle Paul laid out the government of church affairs in the requirements for leadership within as well as the administration of spiritual gifts for the church’s operation. In addition, he addressed what not to do or to allow within the church as it brings in subversion and contention. He was an apostle not made of men, but by Jesus Christ and there is a distinct difference, for by their fruits you will know them.

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 KJV

In regards to naming the names of those who abide not in truth this is not only acceptable, but as Christians we are ordered to do. Examples of this are found in: 2 Tim 4:10; 1 Tim 1:18-20; 2 Tim 2:15-18; 2 Tim 4:10; 2 Tim 4:14-15.

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” – 1 Timothy 1:1-4 KJV

As Timothy remained in Ephesus, Paul instructed him to order those that teach contrary to the doctrine he had administered while residing there to obey that which he taught and what he taught there is contained in the book of Ephesians.

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:6-17 KJV

Taking into consideration the circumstances of exposing those who preach not the truth in Christ Jesus and refuse to hear any private rebuke (if possible). Remembering not to speak evil of any man knowing that they have been given over to the statues of their idols though the deceitful covetousness of their own heart, whatever those idols may be; that the Lord’s will is that none should parish, but all come to repentance.

Therefore, don’t make the exposure and subsequent rebuke that of a personal nature and attempt to do unto them as you would have them do unto you. Contact them personally to address the issue and if that fails walk as children of the light for there is no shame in the truth lest you are ashamed of the Gospel in which case, the Lord is not calling you to rebuke anyone having not confidence in your own words in understanding.

Paul also publicly names Peter in falling into error in Gal 2:11-14. It is not an unusual thing for false teachers, prophets, and elder in sin to reside within the church as the Apostle John names Diotrephes as an example.

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” – 3 John:3-11 KJV

John writes as a warning to those of the time, but more so as an example of for us keeping in remembrance that nothing is new under the sun. John recounts in his Gospel that Jesus foretold of this to them as an indication who follows him and who does not, “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” – John 16:1-3 KJV

That said, it is important to challenge the doctrine not the man. To give them the words of life obtained through heavenly wisdom in seeing the division such doctrine causes within the church as well as within the homes of believers who subscribe to it as truth. For either way the flood is coming and the foundation which the house is built upon will determine the outcome of that flood. This is the focus of the rebuke to offer truth by the word with the word as evidenced in love. The elders that are in sin rebuke before the church, if they put you out for doing so despising the cause, rebuke before all that all may fear, exposing the wickedness they do in the dark, marking them for the divisions they cause, and turn away letting them glory in their shame. For some men’s sins go before them and some follow after; it is better to fall upon the rock in this life than to have it grind you into powder into the next.

Lay hands on no man suddenly and be led by the Holy Spirit in all things lest you reap what you sow. The glory of correction is hypocritical and an abomination if done to be seen by men as righteous.

“Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. ” – John 8:53-55 KJV

In all things be lead by the Spirit seeking not your own glory.