Believers must be aware that within the churches may be ministers of God’s Word who are of the same Spirit and life as the corrupt teachers of God’s law in Jesus’ day. Jesus warns that not everyone who professes Christ is a true believer, nor are all Christian writers, missionaries, pastors, evangelists, teachers, deacons, and workers are what they claim to be.
These ministers on the outside “appear righteous unto men as stated in Matthew chapter twenty-three verse twenty-eight. They come “in sheep’s clothing” as described in verse fifteen of Matthew chapter seven. They may base their message solidly on God’s Word and proclaim high righteous standards. They may appear sincerely concerned for God’s work and kingdom. These bogus teachers may show great interest in the salvation of the lost while professing love for all people. They may appear to be great ministers of God, commendable spiritual leaders anointed by the Holy Spirit. They may perform miracles and have great success, and multitudes may follow them.
These false teachers have wrong spiritual foundations and are of a kindred spirit with the false prophets in the Old Testament and the Pharisees in the New Testament. Away from the crowds and in their private lives: the Pharisees were into extortion and excess, uncleanness, hypocrisy, and sin. Their lives behind closed doors were the opposite: involved in lust, immorality, adultery, greed, and self-centered indulgence.
These imposters gain a place of influence in the church in two ways. Some false teachers and preachers begin their ministry in sincerity, truth, purity, and genuine faith in Christ. Then because of pride and their corrupt desires, personnel commitment to and love for Christ gradually die. Consequently, they are separated from God’s kingdom and become instruments of Satan while disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. Other false teachers and preachers have never been genuine believers in Christ. Satan has planted them within the church from the very beginning of their ministry. He uses their ability and charisma and aiding in their success. His strategy is to place them in influential positions to undermine the genuine work of Christ. If they are discovered or exposed, Satan knows that immense damage will come to the gospel, and Christ’s name will be an open shame.
Jesus warned His disciples numerous times to watch out for leaders who would mislead. Elsewhere believers are extorted to test teachers, preachers, and leaders in the church. To know the difference between real and false teachers begins with the character. Do they have prayer lives and show a sincere and pure devotion to God? Do they manifest the fruit of the Spirit, love sinners, hate iniquity, love righteousness, and cry out against sin. What are their motives? True Christian leaders will seek to do four things. Honor Christ, lead the church into sanctification, save the lost, and proclaim and defend the gospel of Christ and the apostles.
Test the false teacher’s fruit in life and message. The fruit of these leaders will often consist of converts not committed to all of God’s Word. Discern the level of reliance on scripture. Do the bogus teachers believe and teach the original writings of both the Old Testament and New Testament? Do they know it is the inspiration of God and submit to all its teachings? If not, we can be sure that they and their message are not from God.
Finally, test the false teacher’s integrity concerning the Lord’s money. Do they refuse to take large amounts for themselves, handle all finances with integrity and responsibility, and seek to promote God’s work in ways consistent with New Testament standards for leaders?
We must understand that despite all that faithful believers do in evaluating a person’s life and message there, still will be false teachers within the churches who, with Satan’s help, remain undetected until God determines to expose those persons for what they are.