What other scriptures warn against leading others astray, similar to Matthew 23:15? The Heart of the Issue (Matthew 23:15) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees… you travel over land and sea to win a single convert”. Jesus exposes the deadly seriousness of converting someone to error. The same theme echoes all through Scripture: Echoes from Jesus’ Own Teaching • Matthew 18:6 — “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble…” • Mark 9:42 — identical warning, underscoring its importance. • Luke 17:1-2 — “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” • John 10:10 — “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” False leaders mirror the thief. Apostolic Letters: Early Church Alerts • Romans 16:17-18 — “Watch out for those who cause divisions… By smooth talk and flattery they deceive…” • Galatians 1:8-9 — “Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary…” • 1 Corinthians 8:12 — “By sinning against your brothers… you sin against Christ.” • 1 Timothy 4:1-2 — “In later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits…” • 2 Timothy 3:13 — “Evil men and impostors will proceed… deceiving and being deceived.” • James 3:1 — “Not many of you should become teachers… we who teach will be judged more strictly.” • 2 Peter 2:1-3 — “There will be false teachers among you, secretly introducing destructive heresies…” • Jude 1:4 — “Certain men have secretly slipped in among you… they pervert the grace of our God…” Prophetic Snapshots: Revelation’s Letters • Revelation 2:14 — “You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam… to entice…” • Revelation 2:20-23 — “You tolerate that woman Jezebel… by her teaching she misleads My servants…” Roots in the Law and Wisdom Literature • Deuteronomy 13:1-4 — prophets or dreamers urging, “Let us follow other gods,” must be rejected. • Proverbs 28:10 — “Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own pit.” • Ezekiel 13:10 — false prophets “mislead My people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace.” Putting It All Together Scripture consistently treats spiritual misguidance as high-handed rebellion against God. Whether under Law, Wisdom, Prophets, Gospels, or Epistles, the verdict is the same: leading others astray invites severe judgment. Instead, believers are called to guard the truth, teach it faithfully, and model it humbly—so that hearers are drawn to Christ and not to error. |
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