What other scriptures warn about false teachings and motives in the church?

◄ Scriptures on false teachings in church? ►

Galatians 4:17 — A Snapshot of False Zeal

“They zealously court you, but not for your good. They want to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.” (Galatians 4:17)

Other Passages That Sound the Alarm

• Acts 20:29-30 — “I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will arise and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.”

• Romans 16:17-18 — “Watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned… By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”

• 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 — “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ… their end will correspond to their actions.”

• Colossians 2:8 — “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception… rather than on Christ.”

• 1 Timothy 4:1-2 — “The Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons.”

• 2 Timothy 3:1-5 — “In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves… having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

• 2 Timothy 4:3-4 — “The time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine… they will turn their ears away from the truth.”

• 2 Peter 2:1-3 — “There will be false teachers among you… In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated words.”

• 1 John 4:1 — “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits… for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

• Jude 4 — “Certain men have crept in among you unnoticed… They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality.”

• Revelation 2:2 — “You have tested and proved those who call themselves apostles but are not, and have found them false.”

• Matthew 7:15-16 — “Beware of false prophets… By their fruit you will recognize them.”

• Mark 13:22 — “False christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.”

• Ephesians 4:14 — “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.”

Common Marks and Motives

• Self-promotion — “Draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20)

• Greed — “Exploit you with fabricated words” (2 Peter 2)

• Smooth speech — “Flattery deceives the hearts of the naive” (Romans 16)

• Doctrinal distortion — “Destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2)

• Moral compromise — “License for immorality” (Jude 4)

• Signs without substance — “Perform signs and wonders” (Mark 13)

• Isolation tactics — “Alienate you… so that you may be zealous for them” (Galatians 4)

Why the Warnings Matter

• Truth safeguards fellowship and freedom (Galatians 4:17).

• Error always erodes holiness (2 Peter 2; Jude 4).

• Souls are at stake—eternity hangs in the balance (1 Timothy 4:1).