Dangerous Teachers

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. ² Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 
-Second Peter 2:1-2 (NLT)


I've been thinking about false teachers and false teachings lately. I guess one of the hardest things that Pastors and teachers of the Word face is making sure we preach the Word, the whole, entire Word-even when people don't want to hear it. I'm certain that when I preach in a church, or preach online, I've said some things that made people mad. Oh well. The Word must be preached. 


Peter writes in Second Peter 2:1, "But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves." False prophets and false teachers have been a problem for those who follow Jesus for a long time. Look what Peter says about the false teachers, "They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them." These false teachers teach things that are destructive to our life in, and growth in, Christ. And they do it cleverly. They do it without us realizing it until it's too late. He goes on to say in verse 2, "Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered." Many, many people follow false teachers blindly. I love listening to the preaching of David Jeremiah and Charles Stanley. Yet my faith is not in them. Too often, people put their faith in the teacher instead of in God. 


Are you following Jesus, or are you following a false teacher? Over the course of the next few days, we will look more at false teachers, their message, and our desires. Think About It.