Biblical Warning Signs of False Teaching (Notes on Discernment)

The Bible actually has a lot to say about error and false teachers.  One of the strongest accusations that still hangs around in popular culture is “Pharisee”, a word that has really taken on a life of its own.

Below is a list of just a few things that the Bible says on this topic.  It’s not a complete list (maybe you can think of other examples), and of course I’m not making an effort to go in-depth on any specific topic.

It’s important to remember that when the Bible points out things about false teachers, it’s not usually a black-and-white principle, like “All false teachers wear red shirts, and no good teachers do”.  Great teachers sometimes teach wrong things, intentionally deceptive teachers often (usually?) teach good things.

So in most cases below, these are more like “warning flags” to open your ears and think about what’s being said just a little more carefully.

We’re moving quickly toward what may be the most important part of this study – how to respond.  So bear with me, we’re still just on the topic of listening carefully and thinking things through.

18 Signs of False Teaching

1. Good works and miracles, but no permanent spiritual fruit. (Matthew 7:15-27; Galations 5:19-26)
2. A lack of love. (1John 4:8)
3. An unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words. (1Timothy 6:3-5)
4. A despising of authority. (2Peter 2:10; Jude 8)
5. Greed and exploitation. (2Peter 2:1-3; Philippians 3:18-19)
6. No call to repentance. (Jeremiah 23:21-22; Lamentations 2:14; Luke 24:45-49)
7. No confession of Jesus Christ (e.g. Jesus was a real man, He was the promised Messiah, etc). (1John 4:1-3)
8. A teaching of myths. (2Timothy 4:4)
9. The teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)
10. A claim to have “secret knowledge”. (1Timothy 6:20-21; Colossians 2:18)
11. Asceticism. (Colossians 2:18-23)
12. Teaching to suit our own passions. (2Timothy 4:3-4)
13. Eloquence and human wisdom (God and the Gospel and the Scriptures not necessary). (2Corinthians 2:1-2; 2Corinthians 1:12)
14. Flattery. (Romans 16:18)
15. Boasting. (2Peter 2:18; Jude 16; Matthew 7:21-23)
16. Causes divisions by rejecting true teaching. (Romans 16:17)
17. Leading others into sin by offering “freedom”. (2Peter 2:18-19)
18. Popularity. (Luke 6:26)