Topical Bible: Contempt: False Teachers

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In the biblical context, contempt for false teachers is a recurring theme, underscoring the importance of sound doctrine and the dangers posed by those who distort the truth. The Scriptures provide numerous warnings against false teachers, emphasizing the need for discernment and steadfastness in the faith.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding the seriousness of false teaching. Deuteronomy 13:1-3 warns against prophets or dreamers who lead people astray, even if their signs or wonders come to pass: "If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes to pass, but he says, ‘Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer." This passage highlights the importance of fidelity to God’s commandments over miraculous signs.

New Testament Warnings

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Himself warning against false prophets. In Matthew 7:15 , He states, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This metaphor illustrates the deceptive nature of false teachers, who may appear harmless but are ultimately destructive.

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the issue of false teachers in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 , he writes, "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." Paul’s words reveal the cunning and deceit employed by false teachers, aligning them with the adversary’s tactics.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul provides further instruction on dealing with false teachers. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 states, "If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth." Here, Paul emphasizes the destructive outcomes of false teaching and the importance of adhering to the teachings of Christ.

The Apostolic Response

The Apostle Peter also addresses the issue in 2 Peter 2:1-3 : "Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words." Peter’s warning highlights the secretive and greedy nature of false teachers, as well as the potential for widespread deception.

Jude, in his epistle, echoes these concerns, urging believers to "contend earnestly for the faith" (Jude 1:3) and describing false teachers as "blemishes at your love feasts" (Jude 1:12). Jude’s vivid imagery underscores the insidious presence of false teachers within the Christian community.

The Call for Discernment

Throughout Scripture, believers are called to exercise discernment and to test the spirits, as instructed in 1 John 4:1 : "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This call to vigilance is essential in safeguarding the integrity of the faith and ensuring that the teachings of Christ remain untainted.

In summary, the Bible consistently portrays false teachers as a significant threat to the spiritual well-being of believers. Through various warnings and exhortations, Scripture calls for a firm adherence to sound doctrine and a vigilant stance against those who would lead the faithful astray.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 10:10
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Apostasy in Galatia
... as it was in the days of these Jewish teachers. Today, as then, there are false
spiritual guides, to whose ... pretense of honoring Christ, to cast contempt on the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 36 apostasy in galatia.htm

The Scriptures a Safeguard.
... their own numbers, wealth, and popularity, and look with contempt upon the ...
Notwithstanding the Bible is full of warnings against false teachers, many are ready ...
/.../37 the scriptures a safeguard.htm

The Scriptures a Safeguard
... their own numbers, wealth, and popularity, and look with contempt upon the ...
Notwithstanding the Bible is full of warnings against false teachers, many are ready ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 37 the scriptures a.htm

Sunday Before Lent
... False teachers, however, bear with nothing, least of all ... as do worldly individuals
and false saints, who, immediately on perceiving contempt or ingratitude ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday before lent.htm

Modern Revivals, Continued.
... wind of doctrine;" no warning against false teachers and false ... thus warning against
error and false doctrine, and ... it often amounts to open contempt, we cannot ...
/.../chapter xxv modern revivals continued.htm

Hallowed be Thy Name.
... him in words and deeds, so that on its account he suffers contempt and reproach ... For
because we see how full the world is of sects and false teachers, who all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/hallowed be thy name.htm

Paul's Last Letter
... been to serve Him whose name had once filled him with contempt; and from ... The apostle
warned Timothy against the false teachers who would seek to gain entrance ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 49 pauls last letter.htm

A Message of Warning and Entreaty
... apostle made no mention of the false teachers who were ... with Christ, the greatest
of all teachers, Paul had ... authority of the church, they show contempt for God ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 29 a message of.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... steadfast, not being led astray by false teachers among the ... does not exclude other
true apostles and teachers. ... the Law with irreverence and contempt to regard ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

Easter Wednesday Also Suited to Easter Tuesday.
... 5. But we will ignore these teachers as being condemned by ... Word of God, in unbelief
and in contempt of God ... God and the name of Christ in false doctrine, making ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter wednesday also suited to.htm