#CHURCHTALK 12: How did Jesus and the Apostles Handle False Teachers?

The subject of this edition of #ChurchTalk is a hot topic for most 21st century Christians and their leaders.

Most church leaders spend a significant amount of time on their pulpits trashing others whom they consider to be false teachers.

One thing is sure: wherever there is false teaching, there will also be false living. So, Christians who are under the leadership of these leaders, consequently, also spend lots of time on social media, on the streets and during their own preaching sessions, bashing those whom they and their leaders regard as false teachers.

Is this right? Is it helpful? Is it part of the job description of these Christians and their leaders? Well, let's just go straight to the point:

How did Jesus handle the issue of "false prophets/teachers"? 

If I'm to paraphrase His statement in Matthew 23, I'd say that He simply said something that sounded like, "Recognize their authority and listen to their teachings carefully; but don't do like them". The word "carefully" alludes to "being discerning": listening with an intent to ascertain what is indeed right to be observed, and to observe same.

Matthew 23:1-7 [KJV] 
1. Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2. Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3. All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Jesus seemed to have a problem, not with their teaching or prophesying, but with their personal conducts not being in agreement with their teachings.

I think this is quite instructive to today's Christians and their leaders. Especially because one of the apostles, Paul, later on re-echoed these same thoughts of Jesus on the issue when he said to the Philippians:

Philippians 1:15-18 [KJV] 
15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Paul seems to suggest that the large-scale declaration of the gospel is more important than the media being used for that task. If we think about it, God often uses the available, not necessarily the qualified. Could it be that Paul said this because he remembered (as we should too) that the Lord of the harvest already has a mechanism set in motion at the end of time with which to separate the tares from the wheat? (see Matthew 13:36-43) If so, then we're reminded that it seems to be the Lord's own job description to make that separation, and not ours'.

As far as new testament teaching is concerned, the Christian's only job description appears to be the large-scale spreading of the good news of salvation through faith in the sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for mankind through preaching, as well as large-scale discipling of men by further teaching them all about the elements and implications of that good news.

Matthew 28:19-20 [KJV] 
19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 
20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

How did the apostles handle the issue of "false prophets/teachers"?

Paul believed firmly that the best way to deal with false teaching is by intensifying sound teaching and sound living, not by attacking the personalities of false teachers. And he spent about two-thirds portion of his letter to Titus, a Bishop he appointed in a place called Crete, where some false teachers had been reported, telling him this only.

Titus 1:5,10-11 [KJV] 
5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11. Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Titus 2:1,7-8 [KJV] 
1. But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
7. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8. Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

The truth is that the gospel message is all about Jesus and nothing more. When we start preaching about men who "aren't doing it right", we're trying to do God's job for Him; and worse still, we're distracted from preaching the word of grace which is God's powerful tool for the liberation of men from sin.

In this, Christians and their leaders have to be discerning of the devices of the enemy of the cross of Christ: the devil. He would rather the Cross be less mentioned in their preaching, while the personalities of men by whom there can be no eternal salvation to anyone be continuously used as a preoccupation during preaching. This does not help the gospel-agenda.

While false teachers will always continue to have a field day as expected, Paul says to those who are genuine and true teachers: INTENSIFY YOUR OWN MINISTRY. And that is the best counter-measure.

Does this mean that false teachers should not be called out?

No, it doesn't. But, we have to learn what needs to be called out though. Jesus says we should pass a vote of no confidence in them by carefully rejecting their ways or conducts which are ungodly and hypocritical. Which means, we should do things differently: the right thing, setting the right example for all to see.

The apostle, Peter, called out their ways and conducts in 2Peter 2, and all the way into chapter 3, and not any of their personalities. But, he quickly reverted back again to sound teaching mid-way into chapter 3, urging the people through sound words to follow the right way only. The reality is, that it is what you spend more time telling people about that they will internalize and make a practice of.

2 Peter 3:14,17-18 [KJV] 
14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
17. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Having a laser-focused attention on providing sound information (and promptly too) always works as an effective tool against misinformation or disinformation in the world. This rule also applies to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ by the church.


Chukwubuikem Paul Anunaso, a civil/structural engineer writes from Lagos. He is also the editor of The Paul Anunaso Blog, and can be reached at anunaso.cp@gmail.com