But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you… 14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
2 Peter 2:1-3,13-16
False teachers and prophets not only teach false doctrine but they are also characterized by sexual lust and greed. Sometimes the false teaching is more difficult to detect by the theologically untrained than are the characteristics of lust and greed. I believe that Peter would include as false teachers/prophets those whose doctrine may be perfectly orthodox, but either lust or greed or both characterize their conduct.
Where do we see these false teachers/prophets?
We can find them anywhere in any ministry; local church, radio, television, social media, anywhere people have a platform to act as teachers/prophets. No venue is exempted from the possibility. The presence of false teachers/prophets is, unfortunately, to be expected. Those who think we can have a “pure” church are living a life of Christian pollyanna.
When the Apostle Paul gave his farewell presentation to the elders of Ephesus, probably his most “successful” mission endeavor, even Paul had to warn his own disciples, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure, fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock,and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
The fact that the church will always be plagued with false teachers/prophets is no excuse for putting up with them. The Scriptures admonish us to identify them, call them to repentance, and if they won’t repent, separate them from the church.
What about the false teachers/prophets who have large followings through media and aren’t attached and submitted to a local church? There is no effective method of discipline. Ministers who only appear via media or large meetings and not submitted to local elders have to be called out publicly so unsuspecting people can be warned.
How can these ministers be identified?
If the major emphasis in meetings is the offering, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
If you are promised wealth for giving to his ministry, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
If the minister has to have his own jet, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
If a minister constantly preaches on topics like sowing and reaping financial blessings, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
If a minister chooses to live in a mansion with substantial luxury, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
If a minister has an illicit affair, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
If a minister affirms sinful conduct as acceptable for Christians, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
If a minister regularly posts prophecies on YouTube that either cannot be judged or never come true, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
This is a double whammy. First, prophets are to be accountable, and their words are to be judged. That doesn’t usually happen with YouTube prophets.
Sensational prophecies, especially prophesy for the new year, are terrific click-bate. YouTube prophecies are a great way to grow an audience and influence, which translates into more money. It makes prophetic ministry another online business that can produce a good living.
Specifically, if a minister teaches that same-sex attraction is not sinful as long as it is not acted on, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
If a minister claims it is not sinful to claim to be a gay Christian as long as they are faithful to their gay partner, there is a good chance you have a false teacher/prophet.
Did I go a little overboard with numbers 9 and 10? I think I am in good company with the Apostle Peter.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.
2 Peter 2:4-10
Peter writes with a series of “if…if…if…” statements followed by the “then” statement. The “then” statement holds two propositions, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly, and the Lord knows how to keep the unrighteous under punishment…especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. In this context, the lust of defiling passion refers to what we today refer to as LGBTQ+. This lust of defiling passion is one of the most prevalent forms of false teacher/prophet.
If you identify a false teacher/prophet, what should you do?
First, do not listen to their teaching or follow their ministry. Certainly, do not support them financially since you become a partaker in their sin if you do.
If this minister is in the context of your local church, you should call for church discipline through your elders. If they won’t act, leave that church since the church is on the path toward apostasy.
If this minister is not in a position of accountability to local elders or any other spiritual authority, it is probably not possible to effect any Biblical discipline. Don’t follow or support this ministry and warn your sphere of influence so your friends and family will not be duped.
Full disclosure: I am a continuationist; that is, I believe that all of the gifts of the Spirit that were given at the beginning of the church are still extant and should be sought and practiced, including the gift of prophecy. I do not believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased.
Christ first came into my life at the age of 5 during a series of evangelistic meetings in our tiny country Quaker church house in Gate, Oklahoma. Since then it has been a process of “Stumbling forward by grace, through faith in Christ.” I experienced a significant personal revival at the age of 19 and have been much in love with the Lord ever since…five decades-plus.
My passion is to enjoy the Lord by encouraging others to make progress in their lives…living life successfully. I do that primarily through my disciple-making efforts and through my writing.
I spent about 20 years in public ministry and at the age of 40 decided that I had allowed my passion for ministry to impede my prior duty to my family, so I stepped aside. I found a new career as a financial advisor and now make my living serving my financial planning clients.
I now consider myself to be a bi-vocational minister of the gospel.
